Ruth McKernan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr
Ruth Mitchell McKernan
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| Born | March 1958 (age 67) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | King's College London |
| Genre | Academic and Popular Science |
| Subject | Neuroscience |
| Notable works | Billy's Halo |
Dr. Ruth Mitchell McKernan (born in 1958) is a British scientist. She studies the brain and is called a neuroscientist. She is famous for her work on how brain cells talk to each other. In 2013, she received a special award called the CBE. This award was for her great work helping businesses and new ideas. She also helped start a company called Astronautx. This company is looking for new ways to treat dementia. Dementia is a condition that affects memory and thinking.
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Dr. McKernan's Career Journey
Dr. McKernan was born in March 1958. She loved science from a young age. She studied biochemistry and pharmacology at King's College London. She did very well and graduated with top honors.
Early Research and Studies
After college, she earned her PhD. This is a very high degree in science. She studied medicines that help with sadness at the University of London. Then, she worked as a researcher at St Mary's Hospital, London. She even received a scholarship from the British Heart Foundation.
In 1985, she moved to the United States. She became a Fulbright scholar at the University of California. This is a special program for smart students and researchers.
Working in Big Companies
In 1987, Dr. McKernan joined a big company called Merck. She worked there for 18 years. From 2001, she led their brain research center. Later, in 2005, she moved to another big company, Pfizer. There, she held important jobs. She was a Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. This means she was in charge of a lot of science research.
Leading Innovation in the UK
Dr. McKernan returned to the United Kingdom. From 2015 to 2018, she was the Chief Executive of Innovate UK. This is a government group that helps new ideas and businesses grow. She helped create a big fund called the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. This fund helps new projects in different industries. She also worked to make sure more different kinds of people were involved in new ideas.
She decided to leave Innovate UK in 2018. She felt it was the right time for a new leader. This was because a new organization, UK Research and Innovation, was starting.
Helping Others and New Discoveries
Dr. McKernan is a trustee for Alzheimer's Research UK. This group helps find cures for Alzheimer's disease. She is also an honorary fellow of the British Pharmaceutical Society.
She works with the Dementia Discovery Fund (DDF). This fund invests money in companies looking for dementia treatments. In 2019, she helped start Astronautx Limited. This company, supported by DDF, researches new ways to treat dementia. They focus on fixing problems in brain cells called astrocytes.
In November 2019, Dr. McKernan was chosen to lead the UK BioIndustry Association. This group helps companies in the life sciences.
Awards and Special Recognition
Dr. McKernan has received several important awards.
- In 1993, she won the ABSW Science Writers' Award. She won it for her science articles in The Independent newspaper.
- In 2013, she was given the CBE award. This was for her excellent work in business and new ideas.
Her Interests
Dr. McKernan enjoys writing about science. She also loves gardening. She is a strong supporter of women in innovation. She speaks out to encourage more women to get involved in creating new things.
