Suzanne L. Dickson BSc, PhD

Suzanne L Dickson is Professor of Physiology/Neuroendocrinology at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (2004-). She graduated first from the University of Edinburgh with a BSc (Honours) in Pharmacology (1993) and then from the University of Cambridge (UK) with a Ph.D. in Neuroendocrinology (1993). Prior to her current appointment, she held a tenured position as Senior Lecturer in Physiology at the University of Cambridge, UK (1996-2004) and was a Fellow of Peterhouse. Her current research focus is on the orexigenic systems of the brain, including the role of the endocrine gut-brain axis. This work builds upon almost 30 years of research exploring the central actions of ghrelin and, before its discovery, growth hormone secretagogues (now known to be ghrelin mimetics). Her work was first to show that these ghrelin mimetics act in the brain, that they target an orexigenic system (the neuropeptide Y cells in the hypothalamus), that they are important for food intake and fat accumulation, and target brain reward pathways involved in feeding control. Currently, her group is using chemogenetic approaches to explore the neural circuitry engaged by orexigenic stimuli.

She has coordinated three European Union large integrated projects. She is currently Secretary of ECNP and Chair of ECNP's Workshop Committee. She is also Chair of the Programme Committee for the International Congress of Neuroendocrinology to be held in Glasgow in 2022. Other Editorial activities include her new appointment as Senior Editor for the new Clinical and Translational arm of the Journal of Neuroendocrinology.