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Professor Guy Richardson

Professor Guy Richardson, an expert in many aspects of hearing research, has been recognised for excellence in medical science by being elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Professor Richardson, Professor of Neuroscience in the School of Life Sciences, is among 44 new Fellows who have been selected by a rigorous process of peer review.

His research is focused on the development of the cochlea. He discovered proteins called 'tectorins', which are associated with the tectorial membrane of the inner ear; mutations in one of the tectorin genes cause human hearing loss. By working with these tectorins, Professor Richardson and his colleagues have provided unique insights into how the cochlea functions.

He has published his research findings widely in many highly regarded scientific journals. He also acts as an advisor for the research panel of Deafness Research UK.

A Sussex graduate, Professor Richardson studied for his BSc in Neuroscience from 1973-75 and his doctorate from 1977-80. In 1984 he returned to Sussex as a postdoctoral fellow and was awarded his professorship in 2004. In 2009, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society - recognised world-wide as a sign of the highest regard in science.

Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences are elected for outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science, for innovative application of scientific knowledge or for their conspicuous service to healthcare.

The expertise of the new Fellows spans pharmacology, cell biology, biomedical engineering, childhood cancers, suicide prevention and international health.

Professor Sir John Tooke, President of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “Our new Fellows are recognised for their exceptional contribution and collectively represent the array of talent present in the UK medical science community.”

The new Fellows will be formally admitted to the Academy at a ceremony on 26 June.

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