Brian Walker is Head of the BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science at the University of Edinburgh. He is a clinician scientist whose prolific research on glucocorticoids reveals novel insights into pathology and pharmacology of steroid action, encompassing epidemiology, genetics, integrative physiology, and translation via drug discovery. Professor Walker also excels in training and mentorship. He has edited three editions of the iconic Davidson’s textbook of Medicine, and helped establish the unique Edinburgh Clinical Academic Track for run-through training and applied its principles in MRC and BHF PhD programmes.