Dr Lucia Ricciardi from the School of Health and Medical Sciences has been awarded a £2 million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Leaders Fellowship to support her cutting-edge Parkinson’s research.

Published

She is one of the 77 talented researchers to have been awarded the prestigious UKRI Fellowship in the latest funding round, totalling £120 million.

The fellowship provides Dr Ricciardi up to seven years of funding to lead vital research, collaborate with innovators and develop her career as a research and innovation leader of the future.

Transforming lives of people with Parkinson’s

Photo of Dr Lucia RicciardiDr Lucia Ricciardi’s research will focus on understanding how the mind, brain and body interact in people living with Parkinson’s. She will explore how this interaction contributes to symptoms such as mood, motivation, and cognitive difficulties in the disease, with the aim to develop transformative treatment options.

Dr Lucia Ricciardi said:

Being selected as a UKRI Future Leader Fellow is both an incredible honour and responsibility. It is a wonderful opportunity to grow my research and make a real difference for those living with Parkinson’s disease. This condition affects people in many ways beyond movement, and I’m passionate about understanding these hidden symptoms and finding ways to help people feel and live better.

– Dr Lucia Ricciardi

The Fellowship also allows recipients access to the FLF Development Network, which provides specialised leadership training, access to networks workshops, mentors, one-to-one coaching, and opportunities for additional seed-funding for collaborative projects.

Turning bold ideas into innovations

UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Sir Ian Chapman, said: “UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships offer long-term support to outstanding researchers, helping them turn bold ideas into innovations that improve lives and livelihoods in the UK and beyond.

These fellowships continue to drive excellence and accelerate the journey from discovery to public benefit. I wish them every success.

– Professor Sir Ian Chapman

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