Oliver Howes, Michael Bloomfield and Peter Bloomfield from the CSC’s Psychiatric Imaging group were all awarded for excellence in both clinical and non-clinical psychopharmacology at this year’s British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) summer meeting at University of Cambridge, Robinson’s College.

Oliver Howes (Group Head, Psychiatric Imaging group) was awarded the Senior Clinical Psychopharmacology prize for his work investigating the causes of mental disorders and the effects of drugs on the brain. His research at the CSC focuses on using functional imaging and experimental models in patients and controls to better understand the causes of mental illnesses, in particular, the neurobiology of psychosis, to improve their treatment. On receiving the award, Oliver said: “It is great that the achievements of the Group have been recognised in this way, and testament to the hard work of all the group members.”

Clinical Fellow from the Psychiatric Imaging group, Michael Bloomfield, received the Junior Clinical award for his research using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and behavioural neuroscience to investigate the neuropsychopharmacology of psychosis and addiction. Final year PhD student, Peter Bloomfield, splits his research between the CSC’s Oliver Howes and Vincenzo De Paula’s Neuroplasticity and Disease group. Initially awarded a travel grant to cover the cost of the conference, Peter was invited to present at the ‘Inflammation Insights’ symposium. “The work I presented related to context dependent effects of antipsychotic medication on microglial cells,” explains Peter. His poster presentation for the same research won the non-clinical poster prize, which was awarded to him at the conference’s formal dinner. “I am passionate about the translation between laboratory and clinical research and hope that it will be a key feature of my future work,” he adds.

YJ

Click for more information on the British Association for Psychopharmacology.