Nancy Jane Rothwell: Brain inflammation and the path to leadership

Breaking barriers in both the lab and the boardroom, Dame Nancy Rothwell has shaped modern British science in ways few others have. Beginning her research journey at the University of London, she made a pivotal move to the University of Manchester in 1987 – a decision that would forge an extraordinary partnership spanning over three decades. During her early career, she followed her scientific curiosity into the intricate world of fat cells with groundbreaking research that cracked open our understanding of how the body regulates its weight through thermogenesis and brown fat metabolism, providing crucial insights into obesity and cachexia. Then, in a bold pivot that would define the next phase of her career at Manchester, she turned her attention to the brain's inflammatory response in stroke and other neurological conditions, conducting pioneering research that bridged the gap between basic biology and clinical applications. Her scientific brilliance earned her Fellowship in the Royal Society, marking her place among Britain's most elite scientists. Her deep connection with Manchester deepened further when, without planning it, she found herself making history in 2010 as the University's first female President and Vice-Chancellor, steering one of Britain's largest universities through fourteen years of growth and transformation until 2024. Her leadership style, marked by the same curiosity and determination that drove her research, helped position Manchester as a global powerhouse in higher education. Now, as the University's Campaign and External Relations Ambassador, she sits down with Genomic Press to share what she has learned about science, leadership and why sometimes the best discoveries come from taking the road less travelled – offering readers a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who has excelled at both groundbreaking research and institutional leadership while helping build Manchester into a world-leading centre of academic excellence.