Dr. Hal Drakesmith

Professor

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Biography

Hal Drakesmith is a professor at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on iron biology, a critical area in understanding infectious diseases. Iron is vital for various biochemical processes, including oxygen binding, ATP synthesis, and DNA metabolism. Drakesmith investigates how pathogens acquire iron from the human host and how manipulating iron availability can affect infectious disease outcomes. His studies on hepcidin, a master regulator of iron metabolism, have shown its central role in the body's response to infections. He aims to define how hepcidin affects pathogen recognition and influences iron transport, especially in the context of diseases like HIV, malaria, and Hepatitis C virus. By exploring the role of hepcidin regulation, he hopes to find new strategies for combating infections that rely on iron, therefore alleviating conditions such as malarial anemia and understanding the implications of iron overload associated with hepatitis C.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Oxford

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:24
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Politics, International Relations, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy or Sociology
Application Checklist
  • Three academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Statement of Purpose (1,000 words)
  • Two academic essays (2,000 words each)
Specialization Notes

Department of Politics and International Relations - Higher Level English requirement.