Hull’s leading expert in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been appointed to promote clinical research at a globally recognised medical association.

Consultant Gastroenterologist Professor Shaji Sebastian, based IBD Unit in the Department of Gastroenterology, has been appointed to the Clinicom board of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO).

Professor Sebastian was elected to the three-year post responsible for overseeing and promoting clinical research throughout the national study groups of the organisation, partners and members around the world.

His appointment was made at the ECCO annual congress in Copenhagen last week, attended by more than 8,000 delegates from around the world.

Prof Sebastian said: “Our unit – IBD Hull- is already well-known throughout the world because of its innovative care model integrating clinical work and research and for our involvement in international research but this appointment further underlines the unit’s reputation in the field.

“It will further cement Hull’s reputation globally as an IBD centre of excellence and allow us to continue to deliver cutting edge, high-quality care to our patients.”

ECCO is a highly respected and influential non-profit association made up of 36 member states of the Council of Europe and facilitating collaborations beyond Europe’s borders.

Founded in 2001 to improve the care of patients with IBD in Europe, it is now the largest forum for more than 4,000 specialists in IBD across the world.

ECCO’s mission is to improve the care of patients with IBD in all its aspects through international guidelines for practice, education, research and collaboration in the area of IBD.

Professor Sebastian  leads the Hull IBD Unit, is gastroenterology LCRN speciality co-lead at the National Institute for Health Research and holds a honorary chair in gastroenterology at Hull York Medical School at the University of Hull.