Professor Alan Thompson appointed as Dean of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Faculty of Brain Sciences
17 August 2011
Warm congratulations to Professor Alan Thompson, who has been appointed as the first ever Dean of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Faculty of Brain Sciences.
Professor
Thompson joined the staff at Queen Square in 1990 as consultant
neurologist with a specialÌý interest in Multiple Sclerosis and Head of
Neurorehabilitation. He is now one of the most highly cited researchers
in the field of neuroscience worldwide*. He has been Director of the IoN
forÌý three years and during that time the Institute has seen a steady
increase in both grant income and outputs in both basic and clinical
neuroscience research.Ìý Some key achievements for the Institute over the
three years include successful renewals of the Wellcome Centre for
NeuroImaging and the MRC Prion Unit, the establishment of the MRC Centre
for Neuromuscular Disease involving IoN, ICH and Newcastle, a plethora
of major grants andÌý senior Fellowships, the development of a major four
year PhD programme in clinical neuroscience, the refurbishment of the
Library and greater integration of neuroscience across Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê with
particular focus on neurodegeneration and mental health.
Prior to
becoming Director of the IoN, Professor Thompson was Clinical Director
of the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊH). It was
during his tenure, that the National working with the Institute
established the Centre for Clinical Research at Number 33 Queen Square, complete with
laboratories, out-patients and an impressive new 220 seater lecture
theatre,Ìý and completed the Advanced NeuroImaging Suite which included
the first interventional scanner in the UK, opened by Princess Anne in
October 2008.
The Institute and National Hospital together form a
national and international centre of excellence at Queen Square for
teaching, training and research in neurology and allied clinical and
basic neurosciences.
Professor Thompson said " This has been one
of the most enjoyable and fulfilling times in my career - there is an
extraordinary atmosphere at Queen Square which is stimulating,
supportive and collegiate. It has been particularly gratifying to see
the way in which the profile of neuroscience has risen. My aim is that
the new Faculty of Brain Sciences will result in a further, substantial
rise in profile and productivity. It brings together six exciting and
dynamic Institutes and Divisions across sensory systems, cognitive and
behavioural function, psychology, psychiatry andÌý neurology -Ìý and there
is no doubt but that the Institute of Neurology will play a critical
role in its success "
Professor Thompson continues as Programme
Director for Neuroscience at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Partners, and recruitment to the
position of Director of the IoN will take place in September/October.
* Thomson Reuters, Essential Science Indicators
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