Endocrine Abstracts

Professor Clarke graduated from Massey University, New Zealand (B. Agric. Sci., 1971) followed by M. Agric. Sci. (1st Class) in reproductive physiology in 1973). He then obtained his PhD at Edinburgh University, Scotland in 1976, studying endocrinology and behaviour. He has since moved to Australia and became Senior Research Fellow of NHMRC in 1986, rising to Principal Research Fellow in 1991. He became Chairman, Department of Physiology, Monash University in 2007.

Prof. Clarke’s seminal studies on the measurement of hypothalamic secretion of GnRH in sentient animals were published in 1982 and he has contributed extensively to the field of reproductive neuro endocrinology for 35 years. His laboratory currently focuses on Central regulation of reproduction by kisspeptin and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone; estrogen signalling in neuroendocrine systems; control of food intake and energy expenditure by leptin and novel regulatory factors; melanocortins and reproduction; central regulation of energy expenditure.

Prof. Clarke has published 430 research papers and has received The Woodward Prize for Excellence in Research in Neuroscience (1992), a Senior Fulbright Award (1997), the Asia and Oceania Medal of Society for Endocrinology (UK) in 2001 and the TransPacific Lecturership, Endocrine Society (USA) in 2004. Most recently (2009), he was the recipient of The Geoffrey Harris Memorial Award of the International Federation of Neuroendocrinology (2009).