20 December 2022 News
Dr Brian Dickie, Director of Research Development at the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association has been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s New Year’s Honours List. He has been recognised for ‘services to motor neurone disease research’.
Brian has celebrated more than 25 years of working at the Association and during that time has significantly increased both the quality and quantity of collaborative research into MND in the UK and beyond. In 1996 the Association was investing £150,000 in three research projects, we now have a total commitment of £16.8 million consisting of 87 grants.
He has transformed our International Symposium on ALS/MND from a relatively small conference to a large, global event, attracting the most talented and innovative researchers from across the world. This annual event now the premier event in the MND research calendar for discussion on the latest advances in research and clinical management.
“I am absolutely delighted that Brian’s incredible contributions to advancing MND research has been recognised in the King’s New Years honours. Brian is the reason why the Association is so respected within the MND scientific and clinical community in the UK and worldwide.
“He cares deeply about people affected by MND and he works tirelessly to bring hope to those families by ensuring the Association is at the forefront of cutting-edge targeted research. I am confident that breakthroughs in the treatment of MND, when they come, will be able to be traced back to a decision or investment made by Dr Dickie at some point over the last 25 years.”
Sally Light, who recently stepped down as Chief Executive of the MND Association and worked with Brian for the last ten years
“I’m very honoured to have been recognised, but this award really reflects the progress made by the MND research community, which over the past two decades has seen an exponential rise in scientific knowledge about the disease.
“The MND Association has played a pivotal role in this process, not only through supporting vital research, but also in facilitating exchange of information and fostering international collaboration through events such as the International Symposium.
“MND has progressed from being a ‘scientific backwater’ to take its place at the forefront of neurodegenerative disease research - with increasing confidence amongst the scientific community that it will also lead the field in the development of effective treatments.”
Brian