Professor Siddharthan Chandran appointed new Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute

The UK DRI is the single biggest investment the UK has ever made in dementia, primarily supported by the Medical Research Council, and charity funders Alzheimer’s Research UK and Alzheimer’s Society. It is headquartered at UCL, with a research centre based within the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology.

Professor Chandran is a clinician-scientist at the forefront of the emerging discipline of Regenerative Neurology. He is renowned for his pioneering work in motor neuron and neurodegenerative disease research – work that bridges the gap between the laboratory and the clinic. He is currently a Group Leader at the UK DRI at the University of Edinburgh and will move his laboratory to UCL’s new world-leading centre for neuroscience on Grays Inn Road.

Alongside his UK DRI research, he is Dean of Clinical Medicine, Director of Edinburgh Neuroscience, the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research and the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Professor Chandran possesses impressive leadership skills, a thorough knowledge of the UK policy landscape, and an understanding of what is needed for science to thrive both in the UK and internationally. His own work is already transforming the lives of people affected by motor neuron disease through the innovative MND-SMART clinical trial, dramatically speeding up the delivery of new treatments for the disease.

Professor Chandran was selected as the new UK DRI Director after a comprehensive international search.

Professor Chandran said:

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the UK DRI whose ultimate aim is to transform the outlook for people at risk of or living with dementia and related neurodegenerative conditions. The UK DRI is the science discovery engine that underpins the entire UK dementia ecosystem. My vision is to grow the UK DRI into a world-leading beacon for innovation, discovery and translation for dementia."

Dr Michael Spence, UCL President & Provost, said: 

“I am delighted that the appointment of Professor Chandran will further enrich UCL’s strong tradition of research excellence and collaboration. Our UK DRI centre sits within the world-leading UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, and UCL is also home to the UK DRI’s national headquarters. This is an exciting time for UCL neuroscience, and Siddharthan’s appointment will provide valuable opportunities for us to further develop the scientific breakthroughs that are revolutionising our understanding of dementia.”

Professor Alan Thompson, Dean of the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences, said:

“It is fantastic that Professor Chandran will be leading the UK DRI from our new purpose-built centre of excellence at 256 Grays Inn Road, London, working alongside scientists from the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. This facility will bring together researchers, clinicians and patients, building on our unparalleled research strength in clinical and basic neuroscience to accelerate the discovery of treatments. I look forward to working with Siddharthan to deepen our research collaborations with the UK DRI’s other national centres and to drive forward our progress in tackling neurological conditions like dementia.”

William Rucker, Chair of the UK Dementia Research Institute Board of Trustees, said:

“I am thrilled to welcome Professor Chandran into the role of Director of the UK DRI. I have every confidence that he is the best person to lead the Institute into its next exciting phase, building on its already impressive portfolio of successes. Siddharthan’s knowledge of the UK DRI will prove invaluable. He is already leading by example in his own work, both in the lab and beyond, and I look forward to working closely with him to elevate the UK DRI to the next level.”

Professor Michael Hanna, Director of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Professor Chandran to the UCL DRI research centre based at the Queen Square Institute of Neurology where he will set up his preclinical and clinical research programmes. His work on regenerative neurology and motor neuron disease will synergise extremely well with current world-leading discovery science and translational research in neurodegeneration at the Institute of Neurology. I look forward to fully supporting Siddharthan and his team to advance science and to ultimately make a difference for patients.”

Jo Pisani, UK Dementia Research Institute Trustee, said:

“I am delighted that Professor Chandran is taking on the role of Director of the UK DRI. With his leadership experience, passion and expertise, I have no doubt that he will steer the Institute towards new and ground-breaking advancements in understanding, treating, and ultimately defeating dementia – ushering in a new era of hope for the millions affected by this challenging condition.”

Dr Rob Buckle, Medical Research Council, Chief Science Officer said:

“Professor Chandran’s leadership of the UK DRI comes at a pivotal time for neurodegeneration research, with recent advances in diagnosis and disease-modifying treatment renewing hope of progress in tackling dementia. With a strong background in both lab-based and clinical research, coupled with an exciting and ambitious vision for the Institute, Siddharthan will ensure the UK DRI is at the forefront of the drive to unravel the complexities of neurodegenerative conditions and pursue the partnerships necessary to turn research into real impact for those affected by these debilitating conditions.”

Related:

• UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
• UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL

Photo credit James Duncan Davidson