A renowned neuroscientist is set to return to Cardiff, leading one of the UK’s foremost centers for dementia research. Professor Baljit Khakh, a global authority on astrocytes and brain function, has been appointed Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff University. This move is expected to bolster the institution’s efforts in understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
The Cardiff-based UK DRI is part of a network of centers hosted at prominent universities across the UK. Established with funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and UK dementia charities, its mission is to enhance understanding, develop tests, and create treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Motor Neuron Disease.
“I was pleasantly surprised and deeply honoured to be entrusted with this role. I approach the position with humility, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of purpose. I hope to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by dementia by advancing new therapeutic mechanisms grounded in fundamental neuroscience, and by helping to build a research environment where great science and great scientists can thrive,” said Professor Khakh.
Professor Khakh’s Vision for Cardiff
Professor Khakh brings a wealth of experience from his current role as Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology at UCLA. His research focuses on the interaction between neurons and astrocytes, which are crucial for brain function. Understanding these interactions is key to developing treatments for brain disorders.
His pioneering work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the Paul G. Allen Distinguished Investigator Award and the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award. Most notably, he was recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the highest accolade in UK science.
Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance commented on the appointment, stating,
“Professor Khakh has made outstanding contributions to our understanding of brain health through his career to date. His work will only go from strength to strength, leading a research hub that is transforming the lives of people affected by neurodegenerative conditions.”
A Return to Roots
Professor Khakh’s return to Cardiff is a homecoming of sorts, as he earned his undergraduate degree at Cardiff University before completing his PhD at Cambridge. He further honed his expertise with post-doctoral training at Bristol University and Caltech.
In 2001, he began his own research group at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, before moving to UCLA in 2006. There, he has been leading innovative research and nurturing the next generation of scientists, many of whom now lead successful research groups globally.
Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, expressed her excitement, saying,
“I am delighted that Professor Khakh will be joining Cardiff University as our new UK DRI Director. His appointment is a coup for Cardiff University and a ringing endorsement for Wales and UK science.”
Funding and Future Prospects
The UK DRI at Cardiff is funded by the MRC, the UK Government’s £54M Global Talent Fund, and The Moondance Foundation. The latter’s Moondance Research Stars award aims to attract exceptional scientists to research institutions throughout Wales.
Professor Patrick Chinnery, MRC Executive Chair, welcomed Professor Khakh’s return, stating,
“His appointment exemplifies the strength of UK science and its attractiveness to international research leaders. Baljit’s pioneering research into the role of astrocytes in the brain is advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms behind normal brain function and neurodegenerative disorders.”
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, added,
“I am thrilled to welcome Professor Khakh back to the UK as the new Centre Director for the UK DRI at Cardiff University. Bal is an exceptional scientist who has already contributed so much to the field of neurobiology and neurodegeneration.”
As Professor Khakh assumes his new role, the UK DRI at Cardiff is poised to make significant strides in dementia research, potentially transforming the lives of those affected by neurodegenerative disorders.
