Imperial College London has confirmed a wide-ranging set of promotions across its faculties in 2026, with 146 academic and teaching staff recognised in this year’s round. The announcement includes five senior appointments in Brain Sciences, reflecting the institution’s continued emphasis on neuroscience, neurology and education in the life sciences.
Who has been promoted in Brain Sciences
The five promotions within the Brain Sciences unit cover clinical and research leadership, and roles focused on teaching practice. They are:
- Professor Tony Goldstone — promoted to Clinical Professor in PsychoNeuroEndocrinology, whose research addresses interactions between hormones and the brain that influence eating and addictive behaviours;
- Dr Nathan Skene — promoted to Associate Professor of Neurogenomics;
- Dr Yen Foung Tai — promoted to Professor of Practice (Neurology);
- Professor Alastair Webb — promoted to Clinical Professor of Cerebrovascular Disease;
- Dr Stefano Sandrone — promoted to Principal Teaching Fellow.
The promotions form part of a larger exercise that reached across Imperial’s Business School and the Faculties of Engineering, Medicine and Natural Sciences; the college says the round recognises advances in discovery, teaching and collaboration.
Why the promotions matter
The elevated roles highlight work on several fronts: clinical translation in endocrine and cerebrovascular conditions, genomic approaches to brain disorders, and the strengthening of research-informed education. The college characterised the round as reflecting both scientific achievement and commitments to teaching and institutional leadership.
"From advances in monitoring the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and using AI for materials design, to developing research‑informed education and collaborative learning opportunities, our colleagues are driving discovery and innovation across their fields," said Professor Peter Haynes, Provost and Deputy President.
Professor Goldstone’s promotion is accompanied in the source material by a summary of his research remit: the interaction of hormones and brain function with practical clinical interests ranging from obesity following bariatric surgery to potential hormonal treatments for addictions, work on Prader‑Willi syndrome and endocrine disruption after traumatic brain injury. He is also a practising Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and leads specialist clinics for genetic obesity and post‑injury endocrine dysfunction.
Immediate context and implications
Promotions at this level can influence research trajectories, grant leadership and clinical services. Senior academic titles such as Clinical Professor and Associate Professor often come with increased expectation of leading large programmes, supervising doctoral students and shaping departmental strategy. In the case of Brain Sciences, these changes signal investment in areas that intersect with pressing national health concerns: obesity and metabolic disease, stroke and cerebrovascular care, and the genetic and molecular bases of neurological conditions.
While the announcement lists the five Brain Sciences promotions in some detail, Imperial’s full list covers the 146 promoted staff across multiple faculties and roles; the college has published the comprehensive roll‑out on its website.
| Promotion | Field |
|---|---|
| Clinical Professor in PsychoNeuroEndocrinology | Hormone–brain interaction, clinical endocrine services |
| Associate Professor of Neurogenomics | Genomic approaches to brain disorders |
| Professor of Practice (Neurology) | Clinical neurology and practice |
| Clinical Professor of Cerebrovascular Disease | Stroke and cerebrovascular research |
| Principal Teaching Fellow | Education and teaching leadership in Brain Sciences |
For readers tracking the UK research landscape, promotions at prominent institutions are one of several indicators of where expertise is consolidating. They matter for students choosing supervisors, for funders assessing capacity, and for NHS partners planning translational pathways from bench to bedside.
The full roster of promoted staff is available from Imperial College London for those seeking the detailed list across faculties and departments.
