13 March 2009

The Dow Memorial Lecture 2009

'Tracking down killers in the brain: hot detective work or a stroke of luck?' by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell.

Lecture at 6pm, Thursday, 19th March 2009, Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill.

How much are radical breakthroughs in the treatment of brain diseases the result of unexpected developments and sheer good luck? That’s one of the questions to be addressed by Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, one of Britain’s most respected scientists, at the University of Dundee’s Dow Memorial Lecture next week.

'Tracking down killers in the brain: hot detective work or a stroke of luck?' will see Professor Rothwell discuss recent discoveries relating to brain disease such as stroke, trauma, haemorrhage and Alzheimer’s.

She will outline the latest possible treatments for these conditions, which are among the most common causes of disability in the Western world.

The audience will also have the chance to hear a few stories from 'behind the scenes', which illustrate that it is often the unexpected, as well as a healthy dose of good luck, that leads to progress in biomedical research.

Professor Rothwell is Vice-President for Research at the University of Manchester and a non-executive director of Astrazeneca. She is also a Trustee of Cancer Research UK and the Campaign for Medical Progress, a Council member of BBSRC, and Chair of the Research Defence Society and the Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Strategy Committee.

The lecture is held of memory of Professor David Dow and his wife Dr Agnes Dow, both of whom received their medical training in Dundee before going on to assist in the education and training of students.

The Dow Memorial Trust Fund was established upon the death of Agnes in 1998 and aims to keep alive the memory of two stalwart supporters of education in Dundee.

This lecture will take place in the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill, University of Dundee. Free tickets are available from www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets, tower building reception desk, events@dundee.ac.uk or 01382 385564. Overflow theatres will be in operation.

A drinks reception follows this event.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk