Dr. Peter Robbins

Biography

Peter Robbins is a professor in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at the University of Oxford, having joined the department in 1985. His research focuses on understanding integrated systems-level responses, particularly in relation to cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to hypoxia and exercise. He contributed to the development of a technique called dynamic end-tidal forcing, which allows the precise control of CO2 and O2 levels in the arterial blood of subjects, facilitating the study of acclimatization to hypoxia. His notable discoveries include the identification of hypoxia-inducible factor and its role in genomic technologies, leading to insights into metabolic phenotypes associated with rare diseases. He also identified a major protective effect of iron in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and was involved in an international consortium that identified specific human gene loci selected in Tibetan high-altitude populations. Throughout his career, Robbins has maintained a keen interest in developing new technologies for physiological research, including using molecular flow sensing methods for studying lung health and disease. In addition to his research, he served as the Head of the Department from 2011 to 2016, during which the department was recognized as a top institution in the field of Physiology and Anatomy.

Research Interests