Professor Michael Angus Crawford
PhD, FRSB, FRSC, FRCPath
Founder & Director, IBCHN
Visiting Professor, Imperial College London
Professor Michael Angus Crawford is an internationally recognized scientist and a leading authority on maternal nutrition, brain development, and omega-3 fatty acids. His pioneering research has shaped modern understanding of how early nutrition influences brain growth, cognitive function, and long-term health.
As the Founder and Director of IBCHN (International Board of Child Health & Nutrition), Professor Crawford leads the organization’s mission to advance evidence-based research, global collaboration, and improved nutritional standards for mothers and children worldwide.
He serves as a Visiting Professor in the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction at Imperial College London, based at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital campus. His academic work continues to guide researchers, clinicians, and policy-makers internationally.
Honors & Distinctions
Professor Crawford’s contributions have been recognized globally through numerous awards, including:
Freeman of the City of London (2017)
Gold Medal, Sultanate of Oman (2008)
Order of the Rising Sun, Japan (2015)
La Médaille Chevreul, Paris (2015)
Alexander Leaf Distinguished Scientist Award, ISSFAL (2016)
Global Award for Research on Omega-3 & Neuroscience, China (2018)
A Vision for Better Health
Through IBCHN, Professor Crawford is dedicated to improving maternal and child health by promoting the critical role of early nutrition in human development. His work continues to influence global health strategies and inspire future generations in science and medicine.
MORE ABOUT PROF CRAWFORD
Early academic background: He earned his PhD in Chemical Pathology at the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School in London and had research and teaching roles in East Africa at Makerere College, Uganda, and a Wellcome Trust Fellowship at the University of Uppsala, Sweden before leading biochemistry research at the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine.
Foundational research discoveries: In 1972, he was among the first scientists to demonstrate that both arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential for human brain growth, structure, and function, laying the groundwork for understanding essential fatty acids in neurodevelopment.
Primate research and neurodevelopment: He demonstrated the essentiality of omega-3 fatty acids in primate neurodevelopment, including their effects on behaviour and brain function.
Maternal nutrition research: His investigations in the East End of London and in Sudan identified important links between maternal omega-3 deficiency and coexisting micronutrient deficiencies, including iodine, highlighting real-world nutritional challenges in underserved populations.
International advisory and collaborations: Professor Crawford’s expertise has been sought in global nutrition consultancies; he has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on essential fatty acid nutrition and brain health.
Publication output: He has published 300+ peer-reviewed scientific papers and multiple books on nutrition, brain development, evolution, and public health, making him one of the most prolific voices in essential fatty acid research.
MORE ABOUT PROF CRAWFORD
Early academic background: He earned his PhD in Chemical Pathology at the Royal Post-Graduate Medical School in London and had research and teaching roles in East Africa at Makerere College, Uganda, and a Wellcome Trust Fellowship at the University of Uppsala, Sweden before leading biochemistry research at the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine.
Foundational research discoveries: In 1972, he was among the first scientists to demonstrate that both arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential for human brain growth, structure, and function, laying the groundwork for understanding essential fatty acids in neurodevelopment.
Primate research and neurodevelopment: He demonstrated the essentiality of omega-3 fatty acids in primate neurodevelopment, including their effects on behaviour and brain function.
Maternal nutrition research: His investigations in the East End of London and in Sudan identified important links between maternal omega-3 deficiency and coexisting micronutrient deficiencies, including iodine, highlighting real-world nutritional challenges in underserved populations.
International advisory and collaborations: Professor Crawford’s expertise has been sought in global nutrition consultancies; he has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on essential fatty acid nutrition and brain health.
Publication output: He has published 300+ peer-reviewed scientific papers and multiple books on nutrition, brain development, evolution, and public health, making him one of the most prolific voices in essential fatty acid research.
FOUNDERS
PROF. MICHAEL CRAWFORD
Founder & Director
Prof. Cedric Hassall FRS
RESEARCH TEAM
PROF. Mark Johnson
Deputy Director for DHA Research
PROF. MANAHEL THABET
Deputy Director for Quantum Brain Research
PROF. David Edwards
Yiqun Wang
