UK DRI are pleased to announce that Prof Giles Hardingham has been named Interim Director of the Institute while the process to find a new permanent Director continues. He will take up the post on 1 June 2023.
Prof Hardingham, who leads the UK DRI Centre at The University of Edinburgh, is an expert in cell signalling. His research looks at the star shaped cells called astrocytes, and how they interact with neurons and microglia to better understand their role in helping to maintain a healthy brain, as well as their contribution to neurodegenerative diseases.
Prof Bart De Strooper, who announced his intention to return to full time science at the end of 2022, will start his new position as a senior UK DRI Group Leader at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in June 2023, where he will continue to drive forward his world-leading work on understanding the fundamental mechanisms that underlie Alzheimer’s disease.
William Rucker, Chair of the UK DRI, said:
"On behalf of the UK DRI board of trustees, I would like to reiterate our thanks to Bart for his work and energy over the last six years that has seen UK DRI become one of the world's leading dementia and neurodegeneration research institutes.
I am delighted that Giles has agreed to step in to the post. He will provide a continuity of leadership in both governance and scientific excellence, while we progress at pace with the international recruitment process to find the next permanent Director."
Article published: 16 May 2023
