Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell

Professor Rothwell took up the post of President & Vice-Chancellor of the University in July 2010. She is the first woman to lead The University of Manchester or either of its two predecessor institutions. She is also Professor of Physiology, and has previously held an MRC Research Chair, as well as holding University positions as Vice-President for Research and as Deputy President & Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Professor Rothwell’s research in the field of neuroscience has contributed towards major advances in the understanding and treatment of brain damage in stroke and head injury. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in June 2004 and made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 2005, in recognition of her services to science. She is the founding President of the Society of Biology, a non-executive Director of AstraZeneca, co-Chair of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology, a Royal Society Council member, a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester and a member of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board. Professor Rothwell takes a strong and active interest in public communication of science and regularly gives talks to schools and the public and contributes to television, radio and press, particular on sensitive issues in science.