Professor Andrew Dick appointed as Dean of Brain Sciences

Professor Dick currently serves as Duke Elder Chair and Director of the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and co‑Director of the NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre. He succeeds Professor Alan Thompson, who completes his term as Dean this year.

Professor Dick is a world leader in ocular immunology, with research focused on the mechanisms underlying inflammatory and degenerative eye disease. His work has had a direct impact on clinical practice, contributing to the development of biologic therapies now used internationally to treat sight‑threatening inflammatory conditions. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2007 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to medical research.

Professor Dick joined UCL in 2015 and has led the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology through a period of significant growth, reinforcing its international reputation as a centre of excellence for vision research and translational science. His leadership has helped deepen partnerships with the NHS and industry, while supporting a strong culture of collaboration, inclusion and academic development.

Professor Dick has played a central role in the development of the new Moorfields and UCL Centre for Eye Health, a major initiative to integrate research, education and patient care in a state‑of‑the‑art facility opening in 2027 at St Pancras, Camden.

Welcoming the appointment, Professor Jennifer Hudson, Vice-Provost (Faculties), said: “Brain Sciences is a highly interdisciplinary faculty, renowned for its research and teaching into the mind and brain. It offers scientific and clinical expertise from laboratory benches through to patient care. I am delighted to welcome Andrew to the role and very much look forward to working with him. As an internationally recognised clinician scientist and academic leader, with extensive experience across research, education and clinical partnerships, his leadership will sustain and propel the faculty’s ambitions.”

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Dick said: “It is a privilege to take on this role at UCL. I am excited to work with and support our students and staff, advance our research and education missions, and build on the faculty’s outstanding global reputation.

“I look forward to maximising our collective impact by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across UCL, strengthening our partnerships with industry and clinical partners, and enhancing our engagement with policymakers.”

Professor Alan Thompson, current Dean and Garfield Weston Professor of Clinical Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, took up the role in 2011. Under his leadership, the faculty has cemented UCL’s reputation as one of the world’s leading centres for brain sciences.

Professor Thompson is a world‑renowned clinical neurologist, best known for his transformative research into multiple sclerosis, particularly the diagnosis and management of its progressive forms. He also serves as UCL’s Pro‑Vice‑Provost for London.

Dr Michael Spence, UCL President & Provost, said: “Alan is both a highly impactful and influential senior academic leader, with an impressive track record of translating his research into clinical practice, delivering real benefit to patients, and supporting teams across the faculty to do the same. I am hugely grateful to him for his expert steering of Brain Sciences since it was first created in 2011. I am really pleased that in Andrew we have found a worthy successor.”

Professor Alan Thompson said: “It has been a true privilege to serve the UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences over the last 15 years. I was delighted to learn of Andrew’s appointment and, as a result, be able to hand over the leadership of this extraordinary faculty to one of our existing Directors. Having taken the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology through a period of considerable change, Andrew has the background and the personal attributes to lead the faculty through the next ten years to achieve even greater successes and continue our goal of using our expertise to solve some of the world’s greatest health challenges.”

Links

• Professor Andrew Dick’s profile
• Professor Alan Thompson’s profile
• UCL Faculty of Brain Sciences
• UCL Institute of Ophthalmology