Dr Danielle Turner from the University of Cambridge will be speaking today, Wednesday 15 March 2006, at the Celebrating British Science event which brings together some of the most promising young scientists from universities and research institutions from across Britain.

Dr Turner, of the Department of Psychiatry, is one of five young researchers chosen to showcase their research at the prominent event organised by the Office of Science and Technology and the Royal Society.

Dr Turner’s presentation, Psychopharmacology of Cognitive Enhancement, will highlight research that she undertook on how cognitive enhancing drugs can improve performance in both patients suffering from cognitive impairment as well as healthy volunteers. She will also be discussing some of the ethical questions that this work raises and suggestions for how society might tackle them.

“People throughout history have strived to enhance their brain function," said Dr Turner. "Even now, most people frequently resort to caffeine in order to improve their performance.

“Should we therefore be worried that scientists have discovered ways of boosting mental functioning using pharmaceutical drugs, or should we embrace these new technologies as a perfect accompaniment to our busy lives?”

Other speakers will include The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, and Lord Rees of Ludlow, as well as four other young scientists from around the UK.

Danielle Turner is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Psychiatry, and works within the University of Cambridge Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute. She completed a PhD in psychopharmacology at the University of Cambridge in 2005 under the supervision of Professors Barbara Sahakian and Trevor Robbins. She was supported by an MRC research studentship, with research funds from the Wellcome Trust.

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