Professor Victor Gault is Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences.

Victor graduated from Queen’s University of Belfast with BSc Hons in Biochemistry and PhD in Diabetes and Endocrinology from Ulster University. After a period of postdoctoral research at Ulster, he was appointed to a Lectureship in Biomedical Sciences, Senior Lecturer and Professor of Experimental Medicine. He has served as Head of School of Biomedical Sciences and Associate Dean Research and Innovation at Ulster.

Victor has built a 25-year career in experimental medicine research related to human degenerative disease, specialising in brain–gut peptides, with a particular emphasis on the function of incretin hormones in both normal physiology and disease. His specific interests include: the development of long-acting incretin mimetics / peptide therapeutics for diabetes and obesity; GIP receptor agonism and antagonism for treatment of obesity and insulin resistance; diabetes drug discovery from natural sources/products; novel actions of anti-diabetic drugs on cognitive function. He has published over 200 research outputs in total: >135 full peer-reviewed scientific publications and 10 review articles and was returned in RAE2008, REF2014 and REF2021. Full list of publications can be found at PURE profile: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/persons/victor-gault.

He has presented his research at numerous national / international conferences and has attracted significant external research funding. In recognition of his research leadership, Professor Gault was appointed to the Unit of Assessment 3 sub-panel for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021 and 2029. Victor is a member of several professional societies / committees and was past President of the Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Sciences. More recently, Professor Gault has been leading as the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) on two City/Growth Deal projects - Centre for Food and Drug Discovery and the School of Medicine Teaching Block, which aim to drive inclusive economic growth, create jobs and invest in infrastructure, skills and innovation.

Victor has also been recipient of several prestigious awards for his research including Ulster University Distinguished Research Fellowship, Nick Hales Young Investigator Award, European Association for the Study of Diabetes Rising Star Award, and RD Lawrence Lecturer Award.