Rate My Professor Roderick Clifton-Bligh

Professor Roderick Clifton-Bligh is a Conjoint Professor in the Northern Clinical School within the Faculty of Medicine and Health at the University of Sydney. He holds the position of Head of the Department of Endocrinology at Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, a role he maintained from 2015 to 2023. Additionally, he directs the Cancer Genetics Laboratory at the Kolling Institute of Medical Research. His academic qualifications include a BSc (Med), MBBS, PhD in the genetics of thyroid disorders from the University of Cambridge, FRACP, and FFSc (RCPA). As a prominent figure in endocrinology, Clifton-Bligh oversees dual research programs: the Cancer Genetics Unit, which investigates the molecular underpinnings of thyroid cancer, phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndromes, adrenal cancer, and pituitary neoplasms; and the Metabolic Bone Research Unit, focusing on calcium-sensing receptor gene mutations and FGF23 biology. His clinical practice encompasses a broad spectrum of endocrinology, complemented by extensive teaching and mentoring commitments. He has co-supervised eight completed PhD theses, five of which belong to practicing endocrinologists.

Clifton-Bligh's scholarly impact is evident in his editorial contributions as Associate Editor for Endocrine Reviews and member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. He has been honored with awards from the NSW Cancer Institute in 2013, the Asia-Oceania Neuroendocrine Tumour Society in 2016, and the Endocrine Society of Australia in 2018 and 2020. Notable publications include 'Functional characterization of SDHB variants: Advancing succinate dehydrogenase deficiency diagnostics' (2026, Journal of Clinical Investigation), 'Multi-omic analysis of SDHB-deficient pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas' (2025, Nature Communications), 'Approach to the Patient With Metastatic Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma' (2024), and 'Adjuvant External Beam Radiotherapy Reduces Local Recurrence After Resection of Adrenocortical Carcinoma' (2025). His research has significantly influenced the fields of neuroendocrine tumor genetics and metabolic bone disorders, fostering advancements in diagnostics and treatment strategies through collaborations in thyroid cancer research groups and international studies on paraganglioma immunology and genetics.