A Bangladeshi-born British professor has been awarded Britain's highest neurosurgery honour.
Tipu Aziz, from the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS), was awarded the Medal of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS) for his lifetime achievement in neurosurgery, according to a statement on the NDS's website.
Professor Aziz was instrumental in the rise in functional neurosurgery both in the UK and internationally.
His research on the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in primates led to the PPN becoming a target in certain subtypes of Parkinson’s disease
He has set up functional units around the world, particularly in the Third World or impoverished countries, including Bangladesh, India and Ukraine.
The SBNS President Neil Kitchen (pictured left) presented Professor Aziz with the medal during the Society Gala Dinner at the SBNS Scientific Spring Meeting on 21 March, held at the Principal Hotel in Manchester.
Commenting on his award win, Professor Aziz said: 'I am deeply honoured that the SBNS has awarded me the medal. It is been given to neurosurgeons who have made particularly significant contributions to UK neurosurgery over a lifetime. Particularly significant is that I am the first serving neurosurgeon to be selected.
"Much of the work I have done has been in Oxford and I feel it is an award both personally and to the University. Significantly to me is that a neurosurgeon Sir Hugh Cairns created the Nuffield Department of Surgery.'
Prof Aziz was born in 1956 in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).
