A renowned neuroscientist is returning to Cardiff to head-up one of the UK's leading centres for dementia research.
Professor Baljit Khakh, a global authority on astrocytes and brain function, has been appointed Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Cardiff University.
The Cardiff-based UK DRI is one of several centres hosted at leading universities across the UK, established with funding from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and UK dementia charities, to bring better understanding, tests and treatments for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and Motor Neuron Disease.
"I was pleasantly surprised and deeply honoured to be entrusted with this role. I approach the position with humility, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of purpose. I hope to make a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by dementia by advancing new therapeutic mechanisms grounded in fundamental neuroscience, and by helping to build a research environment where great science and great scientists can thrive," said Professor Khakh.
"Cardiff University is home to exceptional scientists and neuroscientists, offering a rich and intellectually stimulating environment. The University has also made significant investments in world-class infrastructure. Cardiff's UK DRI Centre has prominent expertise in genetics, immunology and data science, and I look forward to integrating these strengths into my own research, growing as a scientist in the process, and contributing physiological and functional perspectives to our collaborative enterprise," he added.
Currently Professor of Physiology and Neurobiology at UCLA in the US, Professor Khakh has made fundamental advances in our understanding of how our brains work.
The brain is made up of many diverse types of cell including neurons, which send and receive signals, and astrocytes, which support and regulate those neurons.
Professor Khakh's research focuses on how these two cell types communicate and influence each other in the healthy brain, and how understanding these interactions can help us uncover what goes wrong in disease and guide the development of new treatments for brain disorders.
His pioneering work has been recognised with several awards, including the Paul G. Allen Distinguished Investigator Award, the 134th UCLA Faculty Research Lecture, the NIH Director's Pioneer Award, and an Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Most recently, he was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society (FRS) - the highest accolade in UK Science.
Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance said: "Professor Khakh has made outstanding contributions to our understanding of brain health through his career to date. His work will only go from strength to strength, leading a research hub that is transforming the lives of people affected by neurodegenerative conditions."
I'm pleased this has been made possible with support from our Global Talent Fund. The UK is the destination of choice for researchers who want to collaborate, advance the frontiers of knowledge, and ultimately improve lives.
Professor Khakh is returning to familiar ground, having earned his undergraduate degree from Cardiff University before completing his PhD at Cambridge. He also completed post-doctoral training at Bristol University and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
In 2001, he started his own research group at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, but in 2006 was recruited to UCLA. There, as Professor of Physiology, Professor of Neurobiology and the Eleanor I. Leslie Chair in Neuroscience, he's been leading a programme of innovative research for nearly 20 years, while helping to nurture the next generation of scientists. Several of his former trainees now run highly successful research groups around the world.
Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner said: "I am delighted that Professor Khakh will be joining Cardiff University us as our new UK DRI Director.
"Professor Khakh is a leading expert in his field. Not only is this a coup for Cardiff University to attract someone of his calibre but it's good news and a ringing endorsement for Wales and UK science.
"We're honoured and excited he's agreed to join us, and that Cardiff helped play a small part at the very start of his distinguished scientific journey. I'm incredibly grateful to the many colleagues, external funders and multiple partners who've made this outstanding appointment a reality."
We hope bringing Professor Khakh to Cardiff will boost future investment at scale and build on one of our key areas of research excellence - in a priority area for the UK industrial strategy.
"More importantly, his work and the work of the UK DRI will continue to transform the lives of those affected by dementia and related neurodegenerative disorders by finding much needed answers and potential new treatments."
The post is funded by the UK DRI which receives core funding from the MRC, the UK Government's £54M Global Talent Fund and The Moondance Foundation – its first Moondance Research Stars award designed to recruit exceptional scientists to research institutions throughout Wales.
Professor Patrick Chinnery, MRC Executive Chair, said: "As principal funder of the UK DRI, MRC welcomes Professor Baljit Khakh back to the UK as Director of the UK DRI at Cardiff.
"Having previously worked at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC is proud to support Baljit once again. His appointment exemplifies the strength of UK science and its attractiveness to international research leaders.
"Baljit's pioneering research into the role of astrocytes in the brain is advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms behind normal brain function and neurodegenerative disorders. His work will thrive within the UK DRI's collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
"We look forward to the tremendous impact he will have at the institute and across the Welsh and UK research landscape."
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute added: "I am thrilled to welcome Professor Khakh back to the UK as the new Centre Director for the UK DRI at Cardiff University.
"Bal is an exceptional scientist who has already contributed so much to the field of neurobiology and neurodegeneration, evidenced by his recent election as Fellow of the Royal Society."
His approach perfectly echoes that of the UK DRI's mission - breakthrough discovery research driving the delivery of treatments for the millions affected by neurodegenerative conditions worldwide.
"The Khakh Lab has uncovered fundamental insights into astrocyte-neuron interactions and the molecular basis of astrocyte diversity, revealing vital new understanding about brain function and disease.
"I very much look forward to working together on our vision of healthy brain ageing for all."
Cardiff University's first UK DRI Director, who helped establish and build the centre, Professor Julie Williams said: "Professor Khakh has world-renowned expertise in the brain's immune system which will enrich current research strengths and offer new and exciting opportunities to understand and treat complex diseases, such as Alzheimer's.
"Since its establishment in 2017 the UK DRI at Cardiff has gone from strength to strength and I am delighted that Bal will now take over the Directorship and continue its success."
Diane Briere de I'Isle Engelhardt OBE, Founder and Chair, Moondance Foundation said: "Professor Khakh is an excellent first appointment to the Moondance Research Stars programme to recruit exceptional scientists to research institutions throughout Wales.
"This is a major investment in the future of Biological and Health Research in Wales, which builds on strong foundations."
Professor Khakh is expected to officially take up the post in summer 2026.
