Pride Month 2025

This Pride Month, the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for all—especially those of diverse sexual and gender identities. In a time when the value of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives is being challenged in many sectors, we stand firm in our belief that diversity is a strength, not a debate. 

The LGBTQI+ community is rich in its complexity, with intersecting identities and lived experiences that deserve not only recognition but celebration. At the IoN, we are proud to spotlight the voices and work of LGBTQI+ researchers whose contributions drive forward our mission: to lead transformative research into therapies and clinical advances for neurological diseases. 

We also share personal statements of allyship from senior leaders across the Institute—expressing, in their own words, why EDI is not just an initiative, but a core value that shapes our culture, our research, and our responsibility to one another. 

At the IoN, we do not see inclusion as optional. We are committed to creating a workplace—and a research environment—where every individual is treated with dignity, where difference is celebrated, and where safety is not just promised, but practiced. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of identity, feels empowered to thrive.

Dr Lauren Byrne 

Dr Lauren Byrne is a Medical Research Council funded Principal Investigator who established her lab at the UCL Huntington’s Disease Centre in 2022. Her current research focus is on innovative approaches to biofluid biomarker development for Huntington’s disease (HD), including remote biofluid collection and big data harmonization to empower biomarker modelling efforts.

Lauren played a pivotal role in the HD-CSF study and seminal work on neurofilament light protein (NfL) as a key biomarker in HD therapeutic development. She is also a committed HD Advocate and family member. In her board of trustee position with the Huntington’s disease Youth organisation, she set up their Research Committee and is leading the Juvenile-onset initiative for HD (JOIN-HD) – the first global registry for JHD – as Chief Investigator. Lauren’s patient-centred approach continues to translate research into advancements in therapeutic development for the HD community 

Adrian Isaacs (Professor of Neurodegenerative Disease)

‘We are very lucky that London is in one of the most diverse and exciting cities in the world. That diversity brings incredible creativity and is a daily reminder of why diversity is so important at UCL. 

We strive to reflect the vibrant diversity of our city and to emulate the creativity, understanding and communal benefits that come from enabling a diverse community of students and staff at UCL and the IoN.’

Dr Jasmine Donaldson

Dr Jasmine Donaldson is a Senior Research Fellow at the UCL Institute of Neurology, working in the Tabrizi lab, where she investigates the role of DNA repair mechanisms in Huntington’s disease (HD). Her research has made important contributions to our understanding of genetic modifiers of HD progression, including key DNA repair factors such as MSH3 and FAN1, which are now emerging as therapeutic targets.

Most recently, Jasmine co-authored a study published in Science Translational Medicine (Bunting, Donaldson et al., 2025), which demonstrated that lowering MSH3 mRNA and protein using antisense oligonucleotides significantly reduced somatic expansion in HD patient-derived neurons. This work provides compelling evidence for the therapeutic potential of targeting MSH3 to modify disease course in HD.

Selina Wray (Professor of Molecular Neuroscience)

“I am proud to be an ally to my LGBTQ+ colleagues at UCL.  True allyship is active not passive, it means action, advocacy and standing shoulder to shoulder with our LGBTQ+ colleagues every day.  As leaders, we have a responsibility to use our voices and create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and valued, and to make sure inclusion isn’t just something we value on paper, but something we embody in our daily actions.”

Dr  Riccardo Privolizzi

Dr Riccardo Privolizzi is a Senior Research Fellow at the Genetic Therapy Accelerator Centre (GTAC) within UCL’s Queen Square Institute of Neurology. His research focuses on the development and optimization of viral gene therapy approaches for neurological and paediatric disorders, leveraging AAV vectors, synthetic promoters, and cis-regulatory elements. His work advances the field toward precisely controlled and safer genetic treatments for serious neurodegenerative and developmental diseases.

Sarah Tabrizi (Joint Head of Department of Neurodegenerative Disease)

“Diversity drives better research. When we embrace different identities and perspectives, we create more inclusive and creative spaces for researchers to thrive. 

As an LGBTQ+ ally, I believe in fostering a culture at UCL where everyone feels empowered to contribute fully, knowing their identity is respected and celebrated.”

Professor Ed Wild

Professor Wild’s research established cerebrospinal fluid mutant huntingtin and neurofilament light proteins as key biomarkers for HD, laying the groundwork for multiple clinical trials. He leads the HDClarity study, the largest multinational cerebrospinal fluid collection in HD. He is a committed public communicator, founding the globally respected platform HDBuzz, which delivers accessible HD research updates to families and professionals worldwide. His work continues to bridge the gap between laboratory findings and meaningful clinical advances for the HD community.

Jonathan Schott (Professor of Neurology)

‘Embracing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives ensures research is relevant, rigorous, and inclusive. At UCL, diversity is central to our values—enabling us to challenge assumptions, elevate new voices, and enhance the quality and impact of our work.’