Dr Jo Adu has been awarded an honorary degree by Aston University.

He was awarded the honour in front of other graduands and guests at a ceremony at Eastside Rooms on Friday 21 July.

He has been recognised for his tireless research in the field of kidney disease in ethnic minority groups and for his significant contribution to developing renal services and ensuring equal and fair access to all.

Dr Adu qualified at Cambridge University and trained in Guys Hospital London, moving to Birmingham in the early 1980s. He was highly respected as an expert clinician and nephrologist at the Queen Elizabeth (QE) Hospital in Birmingham and nationally and internationally as a member of the kidney community. His research has been published in the most prestigious of medical journals and he is recognised as an international expert in the field of kidney disease due to his work around SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).

He is also recognised for his research in the field of the genetics of kidney disease in the ethnic minority groups, which is particularly important within the population of the West Midlands.

Jo has held executive positions in the Royal College of Physicians and influential health organisations, The Kings Fund and the British Renal Association. In retirement he has been working in Ghana to develop renal services in the country.

On receiving the award, Dr Adu said: “I am greatly honoured by this award from Aston University. This is one of the most meaningful days of my life ever since I qualified as a doctor half a century ago.”

Professor Anthony Hilton, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, said: “I am delighted Aston University has bestowed this honour on Dr Adu.

“His time at the QE will be most remembered for his absolute dedication to providing expert patient care and his human touch.

“Jo is a Birmingham doctor who lives the vision and mission of Aston Medical School and sets us all an excellent example. “He comes from an ethnic minority background and has always strived to improve healthcare and medical education for all within renal medicine and has unearthed and addressed ethnic inequalities in patient care.

“He is an inspiration to our students and staff.”