A leading medical expert on obesity, who led the University of London as an interim vice-chancellor, has died.

Peter Kopelman was educated at Felsted School, Essex, and St George¡¯s University of London as an undergraduate.

He was active in health policy as well as medical education and research. After a spell as vice-principal at Queen Mary University of London, he served as principal of St George¡¯s between 2008 and 2015. He was subsequently interim vice-chancellor of the University of London between June 2018 and June 2019.

His major research interest was in the field of obesity, including in possible genetic determinants, and he was a chairman of the Association for the Study of Obesity, president of the European Association for the Study of Obesity, a trustee of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, and a member of the Department of Health and Food Standards Agency Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

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Professor Kopelman was also a member of the chief medical officer¡¯s working group on physical activity.

He was chair of the Royal College of Physicians¡¯ (RCP) Committee on Nutrition?and chaired the college¡¯s working party on the management of obesity with particular reference to drug therapy.?He also chaired the RCP¡¯s working party on nutritional care of patients, which resulted in the publication of?the report?Nutrition and Patients: A Doctor¡¯s Responsibility.

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Professor Kopelman had a long-standing interest in diabetes?care and initiated a district-wide scheme for integrated care in east London.

Most recently, he advised the University of London on the development of distance-learning programmes to support health professionals as well as being president of development in his support of the work of the Development Office.?

Wendy Thomson, University of London vice-chancellor, said: ¡°With Peter¡¯s passing, the university has lost a longtime supporter and friend.?He was held in great affection by staff who came to know him during his time as interim vice-chancellor.¡±

She added: ¡°Peter welcomed me when I arrived in 2019,?when I benefited from his rich knowledge of the university¡¯s history¡­Peter will be greatly missed and warmly remembered.¡±

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Professor Kopelman entered palliative care following a battle with leukaemia and died at the Royal London Hospital surrounded by his wife, Susan, and their family.

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com