Our patrons

To help further our ambitions, the British Neuroscience Association benefits greatly from the freely given time and expertise of our Patrons. With their diverse backgrounds and expertise, our Patrons bring valuable skills to the BNA.

Current Patrons of the BNA

Comedian Ruby Wax has used her television fame and personal experiences to promote a better understanding of mental health. She holds a master's degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford University and is currently a Visiting Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Surrey.

Lord Robert Winston is Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor at Imperial College London. He speaks frequently in the House of Lords on education, science, medicine and the arts, and is and is a board member and Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology.

 

Professor Jackie Hunter CBE is CEO of BenevolentBio - creating medicines through a combination of machine learning and drug discovery expertise.  She was previously CE and deputy chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and has 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

 

We were sad to report the death of one of our Patrons, Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, in July 2022. We are extremely grateful for all his support of the BNA over many years.

Neuroscientist Professor Sir Colin Blakemore, FRS, was Professor at the School of Advanced Study, University of London and Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford. He advised on a number of public issues including neuroscience and the law and animal research.
Colin was the first President of the BNA following its name change from the Brain Research Association in 1996.