Alan Clive Roberts



Professor Alan Clive Roberts (born 28 April 1934) OBE KStJ TD DL MPhil Ph.D. DSc LLD DTech FLS CBiol FRSB FCGI CIMechE is a foremost Consultant and Clinical Scientist, specialising in biomaterials, clinical prosthetics and implants in reconstructive surgery. He is an international authority on the research, development, and the use of tissue adhesives in wound management. His invention has been described as a wound closure revolution, and he is known as the "father of tissue adhesive".

Roberts' work has been translated across the field of surgery. He was awarded Prince Philip Medal for research in the field of implantation materials in 1970, the MBE in 1982, and the OBE for contributions to science & technology in 2002.

He was Director of the Centre for Clinical Prosthetics, Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Professor of Biomaterials in Surgery at Academic Surgical Unit of the University of Hull. Also, Consultant Clinical Scientist at Nuffield Hospital in Leeds, and the Head of Clinical Prosthetics Department at St Lukes Hospital Bradford and Chairman of the Bradford Research Ethics Committee. Roberts is Director of the Biomaterials Research Unit, University of Bradford and as Clinical Director, he has developed novel materials and devices which have received awards and licenses for use in surgery. Roberts is former joint Director of the Institute of Health Research and was Chairman of the National Research Ethics Service from 2006-11. He was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Court and Council at the University of Leeds from 1983-2000.

Roberts was Vice-President of the Royal Society of Medicine from 2007–09 and the Founder President of the Technology in Medicine Section from 2009-2011. He was Honorary Treasurer of the RSM.

Background
Born in Exeter in 1934, he was a son of Major William Roberts MBE and Catherine Roberts. He attended Askam house school and Greggs College in Newcastle. Roberts was a Scientific Officer of the Newcastle Royal Infirmary and completed his research degree (MPhil) in Medical Materiel Roberts developed "Silskin" from research in 1992 which is the first universal prosthetic skin that has global use in clinical prosthetics.

Roberts is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and Sub-Dean of Northern & Yorkshire region. He was awarded with the Honorary Fellowship at the Royal Society of Medicine in 2010, the highest honour bestowed by the Royal Society of Medicine. He delivered the Stuart Lecture at the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh in 2009 and the Stevens Lecture at the Royal Society of Medicine in 2015. He was awarded with the medal at the Royal Society of Medicine for his services to the global medicine. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a chartered biologist, a fellow of the Linnaean Society and a fellow at City & Guilds London institute and was a president of City& Guilds Association during 1996-07. He is a Companion of Honour at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He is a member of the international advisory board at the University of Malaysia Medical School and a former examiner to the University of Sheffield, School of Clinical Dentistry. He was an examiner at the University of Malta medical school in 2004. Roberts has been awarded with honorary doctoral degrees from the University of Leeds in 2000, the University of London in 2005, the University of Bradford in 2007, and Brunel University in 2007.

Professor Roberts is a Trustee of Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the League of Mercy, Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI), SSAFA, Carmichael Walker Committee, West Riding Artillery Trust, Maritime Heritage Foundation (2010). He was a County President of SSAFA West Yorkshire (1999-2017) and is President of the Royal British Legion Leeds Group. He is President of Leeds District NSPCC, was County President at British Red Cross for West Yorkshire l986-02. Chairman of the Army Benevolent Fund of West Yorkshire from 1972–75 and is Gentleman Usher of Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor.

Research
Roberts's research has focused on developing novel materials for facial & body reconstruction, implants and sterile liquid monomers as soft tissue adhesives for instant wound closure in contrast to the use of sutures (1993). The advantage from adhesive use is the ability in which tissue union can be achieved providing immediate bonds without deformation of tissue, the ability to improve in the repair of soft tissues affected by the age and disease where conventional suture methods were difficult or impossible, and to effect tissue closure in inaccessible areas with particular reference to endoscopic delivery. Robert's research in 2006 has produced a prosthetic adhesive to effectively overcome the difficulty of attaching materials, prostheses, and devices to the body with particular reference to colostomy and facial prostheses. He has published numerous scientific papers and books on his subject.

Military service
Professor Roberts has a parallel military career. He is an artillery officer. Following national service he has served in the reserve army Royal Artillery. As a Lieutenant-Colonel he commanded Leeds University Officers Training Corps 1972-79, appointed Colonel 1980-83 as Deputy Commander to the General Officer Commanding North East Military District. 2nd Infantry Division followed by Commandant Yorkshire army Cadet Force 1984-88. He is an honorary Colonel Commandant of Royal Regiment of Artillery: The highest honour the Royal Artillery bestowed on a non-serving officer. He is honorary colonel of 269(WR) Battery 101 (N) Regiment Royal Artillery and former honorary colonel of a number of reserve units. He was National Chairman of the Council of United Kingdom Military Education Committees (COMEC) 1990-96. Vice chairman of reserve forces and cadets Yorkshire & Humber. Chairman Leeds University Military Education Committee from 1997-2013, Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Her Majesty the Queen 1980-84. He is a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the County of West Yorkshire.