Stephen Challacombe is Martin Rushton Professor of Oral Medicine at King’s College London and is now part time. He was also a Consultant in Diagnostic Microbiology & Immunology to Guys & St Thomas Hospitals (1984-2011).

His past posts include: Vice Dean of King's College London Dental Institute at Guys Hospital; Director of External Strategy (Dental Institute 2005-11). Dean for External Affairs KCL Health Schools (2006-11).

Awards: Colgate (Hatton) Research Prize, British Division, IADR (1977); Kendall-Hench Research Fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA (1978); Basic Research in Oral Science Award, IADR. (1981); Distinguished Scientist Award for Experimental Pathology, IADR, (1997);

Commonwealth Visiting Fellowship, Australian Government (1989); Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists, Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences (1998), Fellow of King's College London, (2010), DSc (h.c.) from University of Athens (2012). Mayo clinic alumnus of the year (2017). American Academy of Oral Medicine Samuel Charles Miller award (2018)

President of International Association of Dental Research (IADR) 2003 ;President (2000-02), British Society for Dental Research; President British Society for Oral Medicine (1996-98), President: Odon­tological section of Royal Society of Medicine (1997-98), President of the British Dental Association (BDA) Metropolitan Branch (2000-01), President, European Association of Oral Medicine (2008-10).  Chairman, International steering committee on Oral Health & Disease in AIDS (2000-17). Chairman, Mucosal immunology group of the British Society for Immunology. (1987-1992); Chairman NIDCR OHARA External Experts Advisory panel (2007- 2013); President of the Hunterian Society 2006-7, 2018-19; President of the History of Medicine Society 2019-20.

Author or co-author of over 240 peer reviewed papers and 160 other publications on: Mucosal immunity; Immunological, dermatological and microbiological aspects of oral diseases; Oral medicine; Candida infections; Immunological aspects of Dental Caries, Oral manifestations of HIV infection, Oral Tolerance. Editor or co-editor of 7 books on Food Allergy, Food Allergy & Intolerance, Practical and Theoretical aspects of ELISA, Oral Aids Research; Immunology of Oral Diseases. Research grants: Over £4,600,000 raised in 50 grants for research into mucosal immunology etc .   He has held various other administrative posts at Kings College London and Guys Hospital. In recent years he has become involved in global health (especially Sierra Leone). He has sporting interests in rugby, cricket, golf and tennis