Professor Sarah Tabrizi (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) has been named in Nature's 10 list, recognizing the people involved in the most influential and important developments this year. Most recently, Professor Tabrizi’s leadership in the early phase clinical trial of the gene therapy AMT-130 has yielded a major step forward for the field - a reported 75% slowing of disease progression over 36 months - marking a monumental step toward a possible treatment for this fatal condition.

“I like boxing”, she says, “and used to go about three times a week.” But she quickly lands a more reassuring punch: “Oh, don't worry, it's only pads, no contact! Although now I'm more into sea swimming. Oh, and I love running! You have to get the balance right between life and work; you need time for yourself and the people you love.” And she does take her own advice. “Your email will get no reply on a Saturday unless it's an emergency”, she chuckles. She admits to being more haggis than Tabrizi kofteh, and to know little Persian.