Biosciences academics named as Fellows of the Learned Society of Wales

Professor Dipak Ramji and Dr Emma Yhnell have been elected as Fellows of the prestigious organisation

Established in 2010 to promote awareness of how science, the arts, humanities, and social sciences benefit society, the Learned Society of Wales is Wales’s national academy of science and letters, bringing together experts from all academic fields.

There are currently over 650 Fellows and election to the Fellowship involves a rigorous process of assessment by a relevant scrutiny committee.

Professor Ramji carried out his BSc (Hons) and PhD degrees at the University of Leeds, followed by postdoctoral research at EMBL (Heideberg) and IRBM (Rome) with fellowships from the Royal Society and the EU. He joined Cardiff University in 1992 and is currently Deputy Head of School of Biosciences and Professor of Cardiovascular Science. His research focuses on understanding how inflammation controls heart disease and how nutraceuticals mediate their beneficial effects.

Professor Ramji said: “I am delighted and honoured to have my academic achievements recognised by the Learned Society of Wales. I look forward to contributing to the Society and its work by promoting research in areas of my expertise and by inspiring learning”.

Dr Yhnell has been at Cardiff University since 2009 where she studied for an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry. She then completed a PhD in behavioural neuroscience before obtaining a prestigious fellowship from Health and Care Research Wales to undertake research in the Huntington’s disease patient clinic. Dr Yhnell is currently a senior lecturer within the School of Biosciences and her election to the Learned Society is based on her expertise and contributions to the public understanding of science.

On her selection to the society, Dr Yhnell said “It is a real honour to be elected to the Learned Society of Wales and I am particularly pleased that this is based on my work in science communication and public engagement. I look forward to working with the Society and other Fellows to continue to promote awareness of science and the wider benefits that it can bring to society.”

Professor Hywel Thomas, President of the Learned Society, said: “The expertise of our new Fellows is outstanding. The range of research shows that Wales is well-placed to meet the environmental, technological, social, cultural, political and health challenges we face".