Rate My Professor Patrick Maxwell

Maxwell’s research centres on cellular oxygen sensing, particularly hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF), and genetic renal diseases. Seminal contributions encompass the oxygen-dependent prolyl hydroxylation of HIF, detailed in publications such as “Targeting of HIF-α to the von Hippel-Lindau Ubiquitylation Complex by O2-Regulated Prolyl Hydroxylation” (Science, 2001) and “The tumour suppressor protein VHL targets hypoxia-inducible factors for oxygen-dependent proteolysis” (Nature, 1999). He identified prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes in 2002, facilitating HIF stabilisers and oral erythropoietin-stimulating agents now used globally. Additional discoveries include erythropoietin production by kidney fibroblasts and HIF-2’s role in clear cell renal carcinoma. In 2003, he co-founded ReOx, an Oxford University spin-out. Maxwell holds a Wellcome Trust Senior Investigator Award and NIHR Senior Investigator Emeritus status. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Academy of Medical Sciences, received the CBE in 2024 for services to medical research, and delivered the Goulstonian Lecture. He directs Cambridge University Health Partners and serves as non-executive director for Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge Enterprise, Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, and International Biotechnology Trust.