Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell is to receive an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow for her contribution to our understanding and treatment of conditions affecting the brain, such as stroke. She will receive an honorary Doctorate of Science on 29 November 2006.

Professor Rothwell's seminal contributions to neuroscience have been marked by a number of prestigious awards including the Pfizer Prize for Innovative Science in 2003 and her election to the Royal Society in 2004. She was also made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 2005.

She has played a major role in the wider scientific community as a member of the Medical Research Council and as one of the key figures driving forward the establishment of the new Biosciences Federation which links more than 35 Learned Societies in the Biological and Biomedical fields.

Professor Rothwell has also played a major role in raising the public profile of science through regular newspaper columns, television appearances and public lectures. She is particularly committed to increasing the popularity of science as a career choice amongst women.

She became MRC Professor of Physiology at the Victoria University of Manchester in 1994 and was Chairman of the Division of Neuroscience there from 1998 to 2000. Recently she has been appointed Vice President for Research at the same institution where she is championing many new and exciting interdisciplinary developments.

Kate Richardson (k.richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk)

Photographers are invited to attend the graduation ceremony where Nancy Rothwell will receive her honorary degree on 29 November. Please let the Media Relations Office know if you wish to attend the ceremony by phoning 0141 330 3683 or emailing K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 27 November 2006