Dr. Eleanor Raffan

Biography

Eleanor Raffan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. She specializes in research on the genetics of obesity, utilizing canine models to dissect the complex genetic architecture that contributes to obesity traits. With a background in veterinary medicine, Eleanor strives to translate her findings in veterinary genetics to enhance our understanding of human obesity. Her work emphasizes the importance of selective breeding in dogs, which has resulted in a unique opportunity to map disease-associated loci more efficiently compared to human populations. She leads the GOdogs research group, focusing on obesity susceptibility genes and their physiological implications. Eleanor's PhD research on severe insulin resistance syndromes in humans sparked her interest in the intricate biology of obesity and metabolism. In addition to her research, she teaches respiratory physiology to students of medicine, veterinary science, and natural sciences, and supervises clinical and non-clinical students in their MPhil and PhD projects. Eleanor is also involved in providing clinical obesity referral services, contributing to the practical application of her research.

Research Interests

Experience