Celebrating the career of Professor Stuart Ralston
Celebrating the career of Professor Stuart Ralston
Professor Stuart Ralston, Chair of the Paget’s Association was celebrated in January at a special event honouring his career and lasting influence
Festschrift celebrates the career of Professor Stuart Ralston
Professor Stuart Ralston, Chair of the Paget’s Association and Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Edinburgh, was celebrated in January at a Festschrift, a special event honouring the career and lasting influence of a leading figure in their field. Held in the Institute of Genetics and Cancer Lecture Theatre at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, the occasion combined cutting-edge science with genuine warmth and humour. Collaborators and former mentees from across the years came together to recognise Professor Ralston’s remarkable contributions to the understanding of different aspects of bone disease, alongside heartfelt reflections from former students whose careers and confidence he helped to shape.
Over an extraordinary career, Professor Ralston’s research has shaped clinical practice, informed national policy and improved outcomes for countless patients. His contributions to medical education are also significant; as an editor of the textbook Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, he fondly recalled being described by colleagues in India as a “living legend”. He has also played a pivotal role in national leadership on medicines regulation, including overseeing the emergency approval of COVID‑19 vaccines as Chair of the Commission on Human Medicines. Most recently, his achievements were recognised with the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Sir James Black Medal, awarded in December 2025.
The Festschrift featured five bone-themed sessions, with speakers from the UK and overseas reflecting the breadth of Professor Ralston’s influence across genetics, clinical care and translational science.
Paget's disease
A dedicated session on Paget’s disease included presentations from Professors Omar Albagha (Qatar) and Rob Layfield (Nottingham), Chair of the Paget’s Association’s Research Subcommittee and Vice-Chair of the charity.
They spoke of Stuart’s guidance, collaborative spirit and lasting impact on both scientific understanding and patient care. Professor Layfield reflected on a 25-year collaboration that began when Stuart invited him to Aberdeen, an invitation that saw him bitten by the Paget’s research bug. He described their work together as fun, productive and genuinely collaborative, highlighting how their research significantly advanced knowledge of the disease.
Photo: Prof Rob Layfield (right) congratulates Professor Ralston (left)
Clinician and researcher
Professor Ralston described himself as a clinician who strayed into research. His career took him from Glasgow to Aberdeen and then to Edinburgh. Many people with Paget’s disease, including members of the Paget’s Association, took part in his clinical studies. The PRISM study, the largest clinical trial ever conducted in Paget’s disease, was followed by the ZiPP study, which demonstrated that targeted genetic testing and early treatment with zoledronic acid (a bisphosphonate) can have a profound impact on early Paget’s disease. These findings are expected to shape the future NHS practice. His most recent research focused on understanding pain in Paget’s disease - the symptom most commonly experienced by those living with the condition.
Tributes
Throughout the day, affectionate tributes punctuated the science. Professor David Reid recalled the encouragement he received early in his academic career, while Professor Struan Grant joked that, as Professor Ralston’s first PhD student, he had saved him from a career in accountancy.
Sir Gordon Duff captured the feeling in the room, describing Professor Ralston as a true giant in his field. To close the day, a message arrived from Tony Watt, striker for Partick Thistle F.C., offering heartfelt congratulations on his retirement and acknowledging his many achievements. As a devoted fan, this was a particularly special moment for Professor Ralston.
As he enters flexible retirement, Professor Ralston looks forward to spending more time with his family and travelling widely. He is continuing in his role as Chair of the Paget’s Association. We congratulate him on a remarkable career and celebrate the invaluable work he continues to carry out for those affected by Paget’s disease.
Photo below - some of the attendees with Professor Ralston (front right)
