Congratulations to Dr. Adele Diamond, who has received an honorary degree from Cambridge University! She has been conferred a Doctor of Science honoris causa, reserved for individuals of outstanding national and international achievement in their field.
A world-leading neuroscientist, Dr. Diamond is a Professor of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC and also a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She helped co-found the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience and continues to be recognized as a world leader in both psychology and neuroscience as evidenced by her impact, awards, success in research funding, leadership roles, and abundant invitations to speak across disciplines, professions and nations.
Dr. Diamond’s research specialty is executive functions, which depend on the brain’s prefrontal cortex and interrelated neural regions. Executive functions enable us to resist temptations and automatic impulsive reactions, stay focused, mentally play with ideas, reason, problem solve, flexibly adjust to changed demands or priorities, and see things from new and different perspectives. Dr. Diamond’s lab studies how executive functions are affected by biological factors (such as genes and neurochemistry) and by environmental ones (for example, impaired by stress or improved by interventions). Her work has led to improvements in treatments for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
This year, Cambridge University conferred honorary degrees to seven distinguished individuals in recognition of the achievements they have made in their respective fields. An honorary doctorate is the highest accolade the University can bestow.
Read Cambridge University’s announcement of the honorary degree recipients.
Dr. Adele Diamond (seated on the far left) and six other honorary degree recipients, alongside Cambridge University’s Chancellor, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice.
