Prof. Dr. Michael Nauck | Diabetes | Best Researcher Award
Head of Clinical Research Diabetes at Katholisches Klinikum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Michael A. Nauck is a distinguished German clinician and researcher renowned for his contributions to diabetes care and gastrointestinal endocrinology. Currently serving as the Head of Clinical Research in the Diabetes Division at St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Prof. Nauck has had a storied career spanning over four decades. His groundbreaking work on incretin-based therapies has shaped contemporary diabetes treatment paradigms. He has held numerous leadership roles, led pivotal clinical trials, and made enduring impacts in the fields of internal medicine, gastroenterology, and endocrinology. Prof. Nauck is widely regarded for his scientific rigor, clinical excellence, and contributions to international diabetes guidelines and research frameworks.
Profile
Education
Prof. Nauck’s academic journey began with his medical studies at the Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf and the University of Freiburg, where he completed his final exams in 1980. He enriched his medical education through a formative year in oncology research at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His academic training culminated in a doctoral thesis on hepatic enzyme regulation at the Universities of Freiburg and Göttingen. He obtained his medical license in Germany in December 1980. Prof. Nauck pursued extensive specialization, achieving recognition in internal medicine, gastroenterology, endocrinology, and diabetology between 1991 and 1996. His academic standing was further established by a habilitation in 1992 and appointments as professor across institutions including the Ruhr-University Bochum and Georg-August-University Göttingen.
Experience
Throughout his career, Prof. Nauck has served in several prestigious institutions and roles. From 1981 to 1993, he trained and worked at the University of Göttingen’s Department of Internal Medicine, focusing on gastroenterology and endocrinology. Between 1993 and 1999, he advanced to a senior consultant role at the Ruhr-University’s Knappschafts-Krankenhaus Bochum. He later led clinical studies at St. Josef-Hospital and served as Head Physician at the Diabetes Center Bad Lauterberg for over 14 years. Since 2015, he has directed clinical research at the Diabetes Center Bochum-Hattingen, further strengthening his commitment to innovative diabetes care. His collaborative leadership has been instrumental in shaping clinical and translational diabetes research across Germany and Europe.
Research Interest
Prof. Nauck’s research primarily explores the physiological and therapeutic roles of gastrointestinal hormones, particularly in relation to insulin secretion. His early identification of the role of GLP-1 in the incretin effect laid the groundwork for modern incretin-based therapies. He investigates GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors, their mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profiles. Beyond incretin physiology, his interests span pancreatic function post-transplantation, diagnostics of insulinoma, and the cardiovascular implications of type 2 diabetes. His studies are translational, bridging biochemical mechanisms and clinical interventions, and they have directly influenced clinical guidelines and therapeutic strategies in diabetes management worldwide.
Award
Prof. Nauck’s exceptional contributions to endocrinology and diabetes research have earned him numerous prestigious accolades. He received the Ferdinand-Bertram-Award in 1993 and the Werner-Creutzfeldt-Award in 2007 from the German Diabetes Association. In 2012, he was honored with the Paul-Langerhans-Medal, and in 2022, he received the Claude Bernard Medal from the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, one of the highest recognitions in the field. These awards underscore his influence on diabetes research, particularly in the development of therapeutic innovations and his role in evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Publication
Prof. Nauck has authored over 265 original articles, 123 review papers, and 39 book chapters. His research is widely cited and has contributed significantly to the literature on diabetes therapy. Selected key publications include:
Nauck MA et al., Diabetologia, 1993 – “Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) as an insulinotropic agent in Type 2 diabetes,” cited by over 1,500 articles.
Nauck MA et al., Diabetes Care, 1998 – “Comparison of GLP-1 and insulin secretagogue therapies in Type 2 diabetes,” cited by 900+ articles.
Nauck MA et al., The Lancet, 2004 – “DPP-4 inhibitors: A new class of antidiabetics,” cited by 1,200+ articles.
Nauck MA et al., Nature Medicine, 2009 – “GLP-1-based therapies and cardiovascular risk,” cited by 700+ articles.
Nauck MA et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2010 – “Incretin therapies and beta-cell function,” cited by 1,000+ articles.
Nauck MA et al., Endocrine Reviews, 2015 – “Update on incretin research in clinical endocrinology,” cited by 800+ articles.
Nauck MA et al., Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, 2020 – “GLP-1 receptor agonists in modern clinical practice,” cited by 500+ articles.
Conclusion
Prof. Michael A. Nauck stands at the forefront of clinical and experimental endocrinology, with a legacy of advancing diabetes treatment through innovative research and dedicated clinical leadership. His work on incretin hormones has transformed global diabetes care standards, and his continued contributions ensure ongoing evolution in therapeutic approaches. As a prolific author, award-winning scientist, and mentor, Prof. Nauck remains a pivotal figure in the international diabetes research community. His career exemplifies the integration of science, patient care, and medical education, contributing significantly to improved outcomes for people living with diabetes worldwide.