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Francesco Rubino

Professor Francesco Rubino

Chair of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Research interests

  • Diabetes

Biography

Professor Rubino’s research showed that the anti-diabetes effect of certain bariatric procedures, particularly gastric bypass surgery, results from mechanisms beyond weight loss. This evidence provided a scientific rationale for surgical treatment of type 2 diabetes, including that of less obese patients. Professor Rubino’s research-finding and theories also point to a role of the gastrointestinal tract in the pathophysiology of diabetes and obesity. His clinical expertise includes laparoscopic, bariatric, metabolic and upper digestive surgery, including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding and novel procedures. He is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leaders in the research, teaching and practice of metabolic and weight-loss surgery.

Professor Rubino received his MD and completed his residency in general surgery at the Catholic University / Policlinico Gemelli in Rome, Italy. He completed fellowships in laparoscopic surgery at the European Institute of Telesurgery in Strasbourg, France; Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York; and Cleveland Clinic.

A member of many professional organizations, Professor Rubino is the recipient of numerous awards, has given hundreds of presentations throughout the world, and is the author of over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. He was one of the co-organizers of the landmark Diabetes Surgery Summit in Rome in 2007, an influential scientific event where leading international authorities for the first time reached a consensus on the best candidates for the surgical treatment of diabetes. Professor Rubino also served as Congress Director and organized the 1st and 2nd World Congress on Interventional Therapies for Type 2 Diabetes in New York City, bringing together over 1,000 multidisciplinary diabetes experts from 62 countries.

For several consecutive years, Professor Rubino was selected by both US News & World Report and Castle Connolly as one of “America’s Top Doctors” and was selected by Crain’s NY Business as a notable “40 under 40”, which recognizes young rising stars in the healthcare, business, non-profit and entertainment industries.

His work has been featured in journals such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, 60 Minutes on CBS, the Guardian, and the New Scientists as well as on national TVs and newspapers in Japan, Italy, Qatar, Brazil, South Africa and other countries.

    Research

    Switzerland Mother and Daughter.1181
    A pledge to end the social stigma of obesity

    People with obesity commonly face social stigma, including discrimination in the workplace as well as in educational and healthcare settings.

    Project status: Ongoing

    adipose fat cells
    Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes & Immunometabolism Research Group

    We are experimental medicine researchers and clinical academics. Our ‘bench to bedside’ research spans from basic discovery science, investigating the immune system and the susceptibility to obesity/insulin resistance, to an array of clinical studies investigating the impact of pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, diet and ethnicity on obesity and type 2 diabetes.

    News

    Surgery most effective treatment of metabolic liver disease

    Metabolic (bariatric) surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle interventions for the treatment of advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

    surgery 780x440

    Gastrointestinal surgery can be a cure for type 2 diabetes finds new long-term study

    The results of a randomized clinical trial with the longest follow up to date show that metabolic surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle...

    foreground shows surgical scissors, blurry background shows surgical team during operation

    COVID-19 may trigger new diabetes, experts warn

    Emerging evidence suggests that COVID-19 may actually trigger the onset of diabetes in healthy people and also cause severe complications of pre-existing...

    diabetes covid-19 registry

    Delaying bariatric and metabolic surgery during Covid-19 pandemic puts patients at risk, experts warn

    New guidance identifies patients with the greatest need for bariatric and metabolic surgery as experts warn delaying treatment could put them at a greater...

    bariatric surgery

    Scientific community pledges to end obesity stigma

    Coinciding with World Obesity Day, over 100 medical and scientific organisations have today pledged their support for a consensus statement that recognises...

    Obesity Day

      Research

      Switzerland Mother and Daughter.1181
      A pledge to end the social stigma of obesity

      People with obesity commonly face social stigma, including discrimination in the workplace as well as in educational and healthcare settings.

      Project status: Ongoing

      adipose fat cells
      Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes & Immunometabolism Research Group

      We are experimental medicine researchers and clinical academics. Our ‘bench to bedside’ research spans from basic discovery science, investigating the immune system and the susceptibility to obesity/insulin resistance, to an array of clinical studies investigating the impact of pharmacotherapy, bariatric surgery, diet and ethnicity on obesity and type 2 diabetes.

      News

      Surgery most effective treatment of metabolic liver disease

      Metabolic (bariatric) surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle interventions for the treatment of advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

      surgery 780x440

      Gastrointestinal surgery can be a cure for type 2 diabetes finds new long-term study

      The results of a randomized clinical trial with the longest follow up to date show that metabolic surgery is more effective than medications and lifestyle...

      foreground shows surgical scissors, blurry background shows surgical team during operation

      COVID-19 may trigger new diabetes, experts warn

      Emerging evidence suggests that COVID-19 may actually trigger the onset of diabetes in healthy people and also cause severe complications of pre-existing...

      diabetes covid-19 registry

      Delaying bariatric and metabolic surgery during Covid-19 pandemic puts patients at risk, experts warn

      New guidance identifies patients with the greatest need for bariatric and metabolic surgery as experts warn delaying treatment could put them at a greater...

      bariatric surgery

      Scientific community pledges to end obesity stigma

      Coinciding with World Obesity Day, over 100 medical and scientific organisations have today pledged their support for a consensus statement that recognises...

      Obesity Day