Professor Andrea Malaspina
Professor Richard Mead
Dr Natasha Ratcliffe
Professor Dame Pamela Shaw
Dr Jennie Starkey
Professor Richard Mead is Professor of Translational Neuroscience at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield. His research focuses on developing new treatments for motor neuron disease (MND/ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders by translating discoveries in disease biology into therapeutic strategies.
Professor Mead’s work spans target identification, preclinical drug discovery, and the development of translational biomarkers to support early clinical studies. His research has contributed to the advancement of neuroprotective approaches, including therapies targeting oxidative stress pathways such as NRF2, as well as gene and cell-based treatment strategies. He works closely with academic, clinical, and industry partners to accelerate the progression of promising therapies towards clinical testing.
Natasha Ratcliffe is a specialist in patient and public involvement in research. Her work is focused on embedding lived experiences from the earliest stages of research development, and supporting the development of purposeful, equitable, and sustainable partnerships with patients and communities to improve and maximise the impact of research.
Natasha joined medical research charity LifeArc in February 2024, where she leads on patient engagement initiatives and supports colleagues across the organisation to ensure LifeArc’s work is shaped by patients, communities and people with lived experience.
Natasha has extensive experience working with the charity sector, academia and industry, and previously led the Research Involvement programme at Parkinson’s UK. Natasha is also a visiting lecturer at King’s College London, working within the Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research to advance research and education on patient engagement in medicines development.
Professor Dame Pamela Shaw is an academic neurologist and internationally recognised leader in motor neuron disease (MND) research. She is Director of the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) and Director of the University of Sheffield Cross-Faculty Neuroscience Institute, and has held major leadership roles across national and international research organisations, including the NIHR and the Association of British Neurologists.
Her research focuses on translating discoveries in genetics and disease biology into new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. She has made major contributions to MND research, including advancing neuroprotective therapies, improving clinical management through the use of non-invasive ventilation, and helping to define the genetic and molecular basis of the disease. Her work has supported the development of novel therapeutic targets, biomarkers, and gene-therapy approaches now progressing towards clinical trials.
Professor Shaw has authored more than 560 publications, secured over £140 million in research funding, and mentored more than 190 clinicians and scientists. Her contributions have been recognised with numerous international awards and a DBE for services to neuroscience.
I was diagnosed with bulbar onset MND in September 2021. The shock of being advised that there were no significantly effective treatments for the disease, alongside my expected lifespan was like being run over by a juggernaut. Since that day it has become apparent that I am a slow progressor, 4.5 years later I am still independent and experience a fulfilling life.
Pre MND, I lectured in psychology & research, a role that was a vocation rather than a job. My focus post MND, is to be a patient voice for a community, where many lack the ability or energy to represent their perspectives. I assist on several projects with Sheffield University, sit on a research advisory board for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, and volunteer at my local hospice, where I help their education dept. inform staff about the disease.