We are delighted to welcome Professor Siddharthan Chandran as the new director for the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI).
Professor Chandran joins the institute at a pivotal time, with recent advances in diagnosis and treatment renewing hope of progress in tackling dementia. This is coupled with a renewed funding commitment of £131 million from the Medical Research Council (MRC) as its core funder.
Investing in partnership
UK DRI was launched in 2017 with the single largest investment made in dementia research to date from founding funders:
- MRC
- Alzheimer’s Research UK
- Alzheimer’s Society
The renewed investment, announced earlier this year, totals £150 million for five year’s across the three founding funders.
Professor Siddharthan Chandran
With a strong background in lab-based and clinical research, Professor Chandran, a world-leading expert in neurodegenerative diseases, has an exciting and ambitious vision for the institute.
Siddharthan will ensure UK DRI is at the forefront of the drive to:
- unravel the complexities of neurodegenerative conditions
- pursue the partnerships necessary to turn research into real impact for those affected by these debilitating conditions
Professor John Iredale, Executive Chair of MRC, said:
The MRC looks forward to celebrating future successes for UK DRI and supporting it as a key national asset to further the UK’s reputation as a leader in research and innovation.
Pioneering work
Professor Chandran is renowned for his pioneering work in motor neuron and neurodegenerative disease research.
He is currently:
- Group Leader at UK DRI at The University of Edinburgh
- Dean of Clinical Medicine at The University of Edinburgh
- Director of the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research
- Director of the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at The University of Edinburgh