Cure Parkinson’s CEO awarded UCL honorary fellowship

Being awarded the honorary fellowship reflects Cure Parkinson’s long-standing collaboration with UCL and Helen’s influential advocacy across the international charity sector. The charity’s support has strengthened UCL's research and development of treatments that slow the progression of Parkinson's.  

This is reflected by the £13 million in Parkinson’s disease grants awarded to UCL from Cure Parkinson’s to cover cohort development, recruitment and genotyping for the PD Frontline study and for a phase 3 clinical trial of ambroxol in slowing Parkinson’s (the ASPro-PD study), and support for the new Edmond J. Safra Accelerating Clinical Trials for Parkinson’s Disease (EJS ACT-PD) trial, the world’s largest-ever clinical trial of treatments to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s.  

Researchers at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology are leading the ongoing ambroxol study, the first phase 3 clinical trial for genetically stratified Parkinson’s disease. Cure Parkinson’s also supported the UCL-led phase 3 exenatide study in Parkinson’s disease.  

Professor Tony Schapira (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) said: “I am delighted that Helen has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by UCL. She has worked tirelessly to improve the prospects of those who live with Parkinson’s and to find a cure.  

“She has been a fantastic supporter of all our research on Parkinson’s at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, which has been focussed on delivering and testing new treatments to slow and prevent this disease. The Fellowship is an excellent recognition of all her contributions over many years.” 

The Award was conferred on Monday 6 July at the UCL graduation ceremony at Royal Festival Hall in London. Helen said she was delighted to accept this accolade from UCL Vice-Provost (Faculties) Professor Jennifer Hudson, helping to inspire the new generation of the UCL community to excel in their next steps.  

Helen said: "I am beyond thrilled to receive this award. It has been an honour and a privilege to work at Cure Parkinson's since its inception 20 years ago. Throughout that time, my mission has been to drive forward some of the most promising and valuable research into finding a cure for Parkinson's.  

“There's still a long way to go, but as a charity, we're enormously proud of how much we've been able to help transform the Parkinson's clinical research landscape, both here and overseas, as we strive to offer hope and optimism to everyone living with the disease. 

"We're looking forward to ensuring Parkinson’s disease-modifying research in the UK flourishes, as we continue our shared commitment to education, innovation and enterprise in the field of Parkinson's." 

Helen has been working with Cure Parkinson’s since its inception in 2005. In that time, the charity has committed more than £28 million of funding for Parkinson’s research into over 80 separate research projects and leveraged a further £100 million in funding from partner organisations. 

The honorary fellowship is one of UCL's highest accolades, awarded each year by UCL Council to a select group of exceptional individuals who embody the university's founding values of independent thought, intellectual courage, and a genuine contribution to society. Helen joins a global community of honorary fellows recognised for work that has changed their field. 

Links 

• UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology 
• UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences 
• Professor Tony Schapira’s academic profile 
• Cure Parkinson’s

Image

• Helen Matthews (right) receiving an honorary fellowship from Professor Jennifer Hudson (left)

Media contact 

Alexandra Middleton 

Alexandra.Middleton [at] ucl.ac.uk