The MQ Science council serves as the advisors and decision-makers on MQ’s research.
This committee is made up of experts from different fields and backgrounds whose purpose is to plan, monitor and support the research that MQ funds. The science council is vital to ensure MQ's research is not only of the highest calibre, but is also independently decided upon.
The council is made up of volunteers who all donate their time bro-bono, are senior experts in different disciplines and from different institutions across the United Kingdom and the Americas.
"We are delighted that three new members of the science council have been appointed to help widen the council's areas of expertise and diversity. Their expertise will complement the existing knowledge and talent on the council and i'm excited to see what a difference they can make moving forwards."
Lea Milligan, CEO MQ Mental Health Research
Professor Jehannine Austin from the University of British Columbia in Canada is a psychiatrist whose research work involved studying the impact of genetic counselling for people with psychiatric disorders and their families.
Jehannine is the Executive Director of the BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute and is a professor in Psychiatry & Medical genetics. Additionally, they are a published author having co-written the book How to Talk with Families About Genetics and Psychiatric Illness
Professor Hilary P Blumberg from the Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut is a professor of psychiatric Neuroscience, Psychiatry, Radiology and Biomedical Imaging. Additionally, she is also the Director of the Mood Disorders Research program at Yale.
Hilary’s research is devoted to understanding the causes of mood disorders and suicide. She has received many awards for her research including the prestigious International Bipolar Disorders Mogens Schou award.
Professor Jessica Scheider from Stony Brook University in New York is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and an alum of both Harvard and Yale. Her research on interventions for anxiety and depression has been recognised internationally and has enabled access to mental health programmes for over 10,000 people.
Jessica has published a self-help workbook for teenagers to help them deal with difficult emotions and was recognised as one of Forbes’ “30 under 30 in healthcare” in 2020.
These three new members of the science council, which is chaired by Professor Peter B Jones from the University of Cambridge, will join the other members in appointing and managing funding panels, scientific steering groups and act as advisors on MQ research projects.
You can read more about the science council and its members here.
