Sheffield doctor's research into gut disorders wins international award
4 February 2026
Press contact |claudia.blake@nhs.net
A Sheffield doctor leading the way in research for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other gut disorders, including those linked to the brain, has won an international award.
Dr Imran Aziz, Honorary Consultant Gastroenterologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, was awarded the prestigious Cuthbertson Medal 2026 from the Nutrition Society.
The Nutrition Society is awarded to scientists or clinicians at an early stage of their career for excellence in clinical nutrition and/or metabolism research providing an evidence base for clinical practice.
It is the second time Sheffield has received the international honour, following Professor David Sanders’ award in 2011, cementing the city’s reputation as a leading centre for gastroenterology and clinical nutrition research in the UK.
Advancing care through evidence-based research
Dr Imran Aziz is a leading authority on disorders of gut-brain interaction, particularly IBS, one of the most common gut disorders which affects millions of patients worldwide. His research on nutritional therapies in IBS has contributed to improving how these complex conditions are understood and managed, with evidence-based approaches that enhance quality of life for patients.
His work has been published in the BMJ and Lancet, and he is co-author of the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines on the management of IBS and functional dyspepsia. Dr Aziz serves on the editorial board of Gastroenterology Journal. He received the United European Gastroenterology Rising Star Award, and in 2025 was elected as a Rome Foundation Academic Fellow in recognition of his work advancing the field of gastroenterology.
Reflecting on his achievement, Dr Aziz said:
"I am truly humbled to receive the Cuthbertson Medal from the Nutrition Society. This recognition belongs to our entire team in Sheffield who are advancing nutritional approaches to managing conditions like IBS. I'm especially grateful to our patients who participate in our studies, my talented colleagues in the Sheffield Hospitals gastroenterology team and our dietetic partners, and the University of Sheffield for their ongoing support of my clinical and academic research career."
Dr Nick Lyons, Medical Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"It’s wonderful that Dr Aziz's contributions to clinical dietary gut disorder research have been recognised with this honour. This is great news for the city and exemplifies our commitment to improving patient care through rigorous, evidence-based research.”
ENDS
