Sir Doug has dedicated his illustrious career to advancing research and understanding of mitochondrial disease, earning numerous accolades including a knighthood in 2016 and a Royal Society Fellowship in 2019.
As Director of the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research (WCMR), his pioneering contributions include the development of mitochondrial donation, a ground-breaking IVF technique that prevents genetic disorders from being passed to future generations. This achievement helped establish the UK as the first country to legalise the procedure in 2015.
As the founder and national lead of the NHS National Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Diseases of Children and Adults until he stepped down last year, Sir Doug has been instrumental in improving patient care. He has also served as an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and held prestigious roles as an NIHR Senio Fellow and Chair of Wellcome Trust panels and committees.
Turnbull’s patient-centred approach and commitment to scientific excellence align perfectly with The Lily Foundation’s mission. A long-time supporter and founding member of the charity’s Medical Board, he has worked tirelessly with the foundation and his team at WCMR to support families and drive forward vital research.
Reflecting on his new role, Sir Doug said: “The Lily Foundation is a wonderful organisation run by talented and compassionate people. It campaigns tirelessly to improve care for mitochondrial disease patients and provides tremendous rare disease support for families. The Lily Foundation backs the best science to find treatments and a cure for mitochondrial disease. The charity played a crucial role in legalising mitochondrial donation to prevent the transmission of some mitochondrial diseases. It’s a charity that advocates for patients and has genuinely changed the lives of those affected by mitochondrial diseases. I’m honoured to support their incredible work.”
Liz Curtis, CEO of The Lily Foundation, added: “Doug’s patronage is an immensely proud moment for our charity. His unmatched expertise in mitochondrial disease and dedication to improving the lives of patients and their families are a powerful endorsement of our mission. Having Doug as a Patron on our team strengthens our commitment to supporting families and funding ground-breaking medical research.”