Judy Illes facts for kids

Judy Illes (born April 30, 1960) is a leading expert in a field called neuroethics. She is a professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada. She also directs Neuroethics Canada, a group that studies how brain science affects our lives. In 2017, she was made a member of the Order of Canada. This is a high honour for Canadians.

What is Neuroethics?

Dr. Illes's work focuses on the big questions that come up when we learn more about the brain. Neuroethics looks at the ethical, legal, and social challenges of brain science. It helps us think about how we should use new discoveries.

Exploring the Brain's Big Questions

Dr. Illes studies many important topics. She looks at how new brain technologies should be used in research and medicine. This includes things like advanced brain scans or new ways to fix brain problems. She also studies how to deal with brain conditions like dementia. Dementia affects memory and thinking.

Her research also covers addiction, which is when someone can't stop using a substance. She explores the ethical side of selling products based on brain science. Dr. Illes also works to help people understand neuroscience better. She wants everyone to learn more about how the brain works.

Helping the Field Grow

Dr. Illes has played a big part in making neuroethics a recognized field. This field started in the early 2000s. It connects ethics with brain research, medical care, and business. She helps lead the Canadian Brain Research Strategy. This plan helps guide brain research in Canada.

She also serves on many important committees. These groups give advice on ethics and brain health research. Dr. Illes has connections with scientists around the world. She has visited universities in places like Israel to share her knowledge. She also talks about how neuroethics connects with different cultures and beliefs.

Books She Has Written

Dr. Illes has written or helped write several books about neuroethics and brain science. These books share her knowledge with other scientists and students.

• The Strategic Grant-seeker: A Guide To Conceptualizing Fundable Research in the Brain and Behavioral Sciences (1999)
• Neuroethics: Defining the issues in theory, practice, and policy (2005)
• Addiction Neuroethics: The Ethics of Addiction Neuroscience Research and Treatment (2011)
• Ethical Issues in Behavioral Neuroscience (2015)
• Oxford Handbook of Neuroethics (2013)
• Neuroethics: Anticipating the Future (2017)
• Developments in Neuroethics and Bioethics (Pain - 2018; Global Mental Health - 2019; Do it Yourself Neurotechnologies - 2020)

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Illes has received many awards for her important work. These awards recognize her contributions to science and ethics.

• In 2017, she was appointed to the Order of Canada.
• Women in Neuroscience, 2004
• Women of Distinction Award Nominee, YWCA, 2009
• Mentoring Award Nominee, Nature, 2010
• Louise Hanson Marshall Special Recognition Award, Society for Neuroscience, 2011
• Patricia Price Browne Prize in Biomedical Ethics, 2018
• Martin M. Hoffman Award for Research Excellence, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 2021
• UBC Distinguished University Scholar, 2021
• Distinguished Professor in Clinical/Applied Science, UBC Faculty of Medicine, 2021
• Prize, Italian Society of Neuroethics, Milan, Italy, 2022
• UBC Distinguished Professor in Neuroethics, 2022

See also

• Neuroethics
• Incidental Findings