The Department of Life Science's Vasanta Subramanian is one of two new members elected to the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Council and Committee.

The BNA is the largest UK organisation connecting, representing and promoting neuroscience and neuroscientists across the globe. With over 2,750 members, their interests cover the whole range of neuroscience - from ion channels to whole animal behaviour and real-world applications in the clinic and beyond.

With the BNA Scholars Programme, a programme supporting neuroscience students and early career researchers from underrepresented ethnic groups through networks, bursaries and mentorship, entering its third year, Vasanta's guidance will aid the BNA in their inclusion work.

A Reader in the Department, Vasanta's research at the University of Bath focusses on neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. She has been using mouse and stem cells as a model system in her research to understand mechanisms underlying disease processes. More recently, she and her group are developing the African turquoise killifish, a rapidly ageing fish, as a model system for studying ageing and age-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease. Her latest research is funded by Alzheimer's Research UK and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

Vasanta said: 'As a woman scientist of colour, EDI issues touch me directly and also have had a significant impact on my career. I hope to use these experiences to bring new perspectives to this priority area and contribute to positive changes.'

Vasanta will formally take up her role on the council following the 2023 International Festival of Neuroscience in April.