BNA Career Series

Talitha Kerrigan

Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience, University of Exeter

Dr Talitha Kerrigan is a Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience in the College of Medicine & Health at the University of Exeter. 

Her research focuses on neurodegeneration and dementia, with interests in neuroinflammation & glial biology, electrophysiology, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and synaptic and intrinsic neuroplasticity. 
University of Exeter

She is also highly regarded as a teacher, having won student awards for her supportive and inspiring work in neuroscience education at Exeter.

Tara Spires-Jones

University of Edinburgh

Prof Tara Spires-Jones, DPhil(Oxon), FMedSci runs a research group studying brain changes in ageing and neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.  Her laboratory studies the synaptic connections between neurons, which in a healthy brain allow learning and memory. The goal of the group is to understand the mechanisms of synapse degeneration and resilience in order to develop treatments that will promote recovery of brain function.  Dr Spires-Jones received her DPhil from the University of Oxford and was an Assistant Professor at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School before returning to the UK to join the University of Edinburgh in 2013. 

In addition to her research, Prof Spires-Jones is passionate about communicating scientific findings to the public and policy makers; increasing the rigour and reproducibility in translational neuroscience; promoting inclusivity and diversity in science; and supporting the career development of neuroscientists.  She is a founding member of the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence, which works to promote the future of European Neuroscience. She served as a member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council from 2016-2019 advising the Scottish Government on science policy, and in 2024 was elected a Fellow of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences. Tara served as President of the British Neuroscience Association from 2023-2025.

Fiona Ducotterd

Chief Scientific Officer, Alzheimer’s Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute (UDDI)

Fiona Ducotterd is the Chief Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer’s Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute (UDDI), where she leads a team translating novel disease biology into drug discovery projects for dementia. 

Before joining ARUK, Fiona spent over 20 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, including roles at companies like MSD, GSK, Eisai, and Vertex. 
Her work included bench science (e.g. target validation through to regulatory filings), project leadership, business development and strategic alliances, in multiple global locations (UK, USA, Japan, China).

Felix Chan

Assistant Professor in Pharmacology, University of Birmingham

Dr Felix Chan is an Assistant Professor in Pharmacology at the University of Birmingham (in the Department of Pharmacy). 

He is a neuroscientist by training, with research focused on brain metabolism and mitochondrial function, especially how these relate to neurological disorders like epilepsy.
Felix also teaches on the M.Pharm course, is involved in mentoring early‑career researchers, and works with patient/public involvement in his projects.