Celebrating Excellence in Neuroscience Leadership: Dr Kate Baker Wins Leading Researcher of the Year
The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) is delighted to celebrate the achievements of all nominees and award winners recognised at the Women in Neuroscience UK (WiNUK) Awards 2025 - an annual celebration of leadership, innovation, and dedication across the neuroscience community. This year’s event took place in King’s College London’s Great Hall, with over 100 attendees in person alongside a livestream.
We are especially proud to congratulate Dr Kate Baker, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Brain and Neuroscience Advances, who has been awarded the Leading Researcher of the Year Award for Cognition and Neurodevelopment.
As a clinician-scientist at the University of Cambridge, Dr Baker’s pioneering work is transforming understanding and care for children and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). She identified the first known case of Baker-Gordon syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and continues to lead groundbreaking research into the genetics and mechanisms underlying NDDs - translating complex neuroscience into meaningful clinical impact.
Alongside her research, Dr Baker brings exceptional editorial leadership to Brain and Neuroscience Advances, the BNA’s open-access journal published in partnership with SAGE. Under her co-editorship, the journal continues to uphold the highest standards of scientific rigour, transparency, and inclusivity, while supporting open science and early-career researchers.
I’m deeply honoured to receive this award. It reflects the collective effort of an incredible community of researchers, clinicians, and families working together to better understand neurodevelopmental disorders. Through my role with Brain and Neuroscience Advances, I’m proud to help amplify rigorous, open, and inclusive neuroscience research, including support of women neuroscientists at every stage of their careers”.
The Women in Neuroscience UK Awards shine a spotlight on women and allies making outstanding contributions to neuroscience across the UK, inspiring the next generation of scientists to pursue and thrive in the field. Lizzie English, Founder of Women in Neuroscience UK, commented:
Among an impressive group of finalists, it was fantastic to recognise Dr Kate Baker as this year’s WiNUK Leading Researcher for Cognition and Neurodevelopment. Dr Baker stood out to the judges, not only for transforming neurodevelopment research through her landmark discovery and ongoing commitment to the field, but also for combining her research with patient-centred care and ‘scientifically rigorous and personally supportive’ mentorship of students. Dr Baker’s work and her influence on the next generation of clinical researchers will have lasting positive effects, and WiNUK are delighted to platform this achievement.
Professor Narender Ramnani, BNA President and member of this year’s judging panel, added:
Judging the WiNUK Awards was a privilege and a challenge, especially given the amazing calibre of nominees. The fact that Kate was nominated in two different categories this year speaks volumes about her broad impact. Her award is extremely well-deserved. Her scientific achievements are ground-breaking, and the BNA is also incredibly grateful for the work that she does as Co-Editor-in-Chief of our journal.
The BNA extends warm congratulations to all the nominees and award winners recognised at this year’s Women in Neuroscience UK Awards.
Related links:
Brain and Neuroscience Advances
Women in Neuroscience UK
British Neuroscience Association – News and Event
