Hannah Critchlow graduated from Brunel in 2003 with a BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology, with First Class Honours.

During her studies here, Hannah was an exemplary student and was awarded three university prizes for ‘Best Biologist’.

She went on to complete a PhD in Neuropsychiatry at the University of Cambridge, where she was also awarded a Magdalene College, Cambridge University Fellowship.

Inspired through her work as a nursing assistant at St Andrews Psychiatric Hospital, she went on to work as Strategic Manager for Cambridge Neuroscience. On secondment she helped steer and coordinate the re-launch of the British Neuroscience Association between 2010 and 2011. She credits her eye-opening experiences on the ward with leading her to pursue a career in neuroscience and educate the public.

In 2013 she was named as one of Cambridge University's "inspirational and successful women in science".

Hannah now works as a presenter on the weekly BBC radio programme The Naked Scientists. Hannah and her fellow presenters are "a media-savvy" group of physicians and researchers from University of Cambridge who promote science to the general public in a fun and accessible manner,stripping it down to its bare essentials.The programmes are aimed at those aged 14 and upwards and Hannah has explored topics as wide-ranging as Smallpox, sleep deprivation, Alzheimer's and morality.

In recognition of her work, earlier this year she was named as one of the UK's 100 leading scientists by the Science Council. She was featured in the 'Communicator Scientist' category for her "energy and enthusiasm for communicating complex science issues in an accessible way".

Hannah continues to share her love of science through a busy public speaking schedule which has included appearances at schools, literary festivals and science festivals among others. Her ability to engage audiences is exceptional.

Hannah has just started working with Headcase, a new mental health awareness project, empowering people through open discussion and knowledge about the brain.

The Mo Farah Foundation (MFF) launched the Mo Farah Academy in September 2013, its first initiative in the UK. It selected Brunel University London to be a recipient of its support due to the university’s renown reputation as a dedicated centre of sporting excellence with a solid track record of sporting success.

The MFF has been designed to encourage home-grown sporting talent. The Academy provides financial and technical support for the elite sports training programme here at Brunel. The selection process for the scholarships is rigorous, with applicants expected to demonstrate the potential to compete at international level. Priority is given to athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Olympic 2012 London Games, the defining moment in Mo Farah’s own sporting career, this new scheme is intended to build on that legacy and to provide promising young British athletes with the combination of advice, guidance and practical support that they need to fulfil their potential.

Paul Dimmock, Director of Sport at Brunel University said; “It is a real honour for us to be selected to work with the Mo Farah Academy. The package of technical assistance, access to world class coaching, and valuable financial support that the Academy offers will make a significant difference to the quality of the training we can offer.

The first Academy students started at Brunel in September 2013.