Queen Square Inaugural Lecture: Professor Beate Diehl

Professor Beate Diehl (Professor of Neurophysiology applied to Epilepsy)

‘Finding (the) focus, improving outcomes in epilepsy: a journey through spikes, brain maps, images, and networks’

Professor Diehl graduated from the Ruprecht-Karls-University Medical School in Heidelberg and pursued Neurology training at both the Universities of Mainz and Muenster in Germany. She obtained subspecialty training in Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland USA and subsequently qualified as a Neurologist in the USA. 

Professor Diehl is a Diplomate of the American Boards of Psychiatry and Neurology, Inc. and Clinical Neurophysiology. She held a faculty position at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation Epilepsy Center from August 2003 until March 2008 when she joined the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery (UCLH) as a Consultant Clinical Neurophysiologist. Professor Diehl was elected FRCP in 2011.

"Sharing my journey during my inaugural lecture was an incredibly special experience. As I prepared for the occasion, I reflected on the many remarkable individuals I have encountered throughout my career, each of whom has taught and influenced me in unique ways. These reflections filled me with gratitude for the wealth of experiences that have shaped me and reminded me of critical watershed moments in my journey. These moments underscored how vital it is to see opportunity in every turn.

I have been fortunate to have outstanding mentors who have guided and inspired me. I am especially thankful to Professor Hans Lüders, whose expertise and mentorship were formative in shaping my career as a clinician with a special interest in epilepsy surgery.

The breadth of knowledge and expertise among my colleagues in the Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy is truly humbling. I feel privileged to learn from such accomplished peers. I am also deeply grateful to my family for their unwavering support throughout my journey. A special thank you goes to my Head of Department, Professor Ley Sander, for his kind opening remarks, and to Professor Koltzenburg for his heartfelt vote of thanks.

As I look ahead, I remain steadfast in my commitment to improving the lives of people with epilepsy. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure they have access to the most advanced treatment options available". Professor Beate Diehl