Emeritus Professor Michael Depledge CBE DSc FRSB FRCP is one of the Centre’s founding members, and first Interim Director, helping to develop environment and human health research across the University of Exeter.
Prior to his retirement in 2019, he served as an ambassador both for the medical school and the university as a whole and was very active in leading the development of several new research themes, including the use of nature to foster health and wellbeing.
Mike continues to be involved in the Centre’s work, both as an advisor and a ‘critical friend’.
Professor Depledge has published more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific papers in leading international journals and books. In recognition of his major scientific contributions to the fields of comparative toxicology and medical toxicology he was awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree by the University of London (1996), the Poulsson Medal of Honour of the Norwegian Society for Pharmacology and Toxicology (2009), and the Edouard Delcroix International Prize (2020). He was also recognised by the Clavirate “Web of Science” as being among the top 1% of the World’s most influential scientists (2019, 2020)
Since 1990 he has been an expert advisor on marine pollution to the United Nations, working in Brazil, Costa Rica, India, China, Vietnam for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He also continues to serve as an expert advisor to the World Health Organisation and to give lectures at international conferences, workshops, universities and research institutes.
Mike was formerly Chief Scientific Advisor of the Environment Agency, UK, a member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, and a founding Board Member of Natural England.
He is currently a non-executive Director and Chief Scientific Advisor of the Eden Project (Eden Project International – Eden Project, Cornwall) and Honorary Professor of Public Policy, University College, London, and an Honorary Professor of Chiba University Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.