Andrew Robert Stevens is a Clinical Research Fellow in Neurotrauma, a Specialty Trainee in Neurosurgery and an Honorary Neurosurgery Registrar. He graduated from the University of Birmingham Medical School in 2016 with a Distinction in Research, having also completed an intercalated degree in Biomedical Science in 2013. He undertook Academic Foundation Training in Neurocritical Care at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, researching haemodynamic and metabolic monitoring devices in traumatic brain injury. In 2018, he commenced neurosurgical postgraduate training, gaining membership in the Royal College of Surgeons in 2019, and was appointed as a Specialty Registrar in Neurosurgery in 2020. His current focus of research is the translational development of therapeutics and monitoring systems for improving patient outcomes after traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. He is studying for a Ph.D. in this area at the University of Birmingham. His wider academic interests include clinical research for improving acute care in neurotrauma and improving recognition and recovery after concussion.

Antonio Belli is a Professor of Trauma Neurosurgery and Director of the Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. He heads the neurotrauma research theme, which carries out translational research on traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. He is also a practicing neurosurgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he leads the neurotrauma service, which comprises a formidable team of doctors, nurses and therapists. He graduated from Tor Vergata University in Rome with a degree in Medicine and Surgery. He completed his MD in neurobiochemistry of brain ischaemia and reperfusion at Tor Vergata University. He trained as a neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital, Atkinson Morley’s Hospital, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital. He carried out a research fellowship in neuromonitoring at the Institute of Neurology in London (2001–2003). His research interest is in neurobiochemistry and neuromonitoring of acute brain injury. A particular focus is brain metabolism following mild and severe traumatic brain injury and how this relates to the long-term outcome and the risk of early neurogenerative conditions. Working with cerebral microdialysis, another area of interest is early markers of tissue damage for the prevention of secondary injury after trauma and subarachnoid haemorrhage, patient stratification and drug discovery.

Zubair Ahmed is Professor of Neuroscience and Lead for the Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Section in the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing. He studied for a Ph.D. in Plastic Surgery at University College London, where he investigated a tissue engineering approach to repairing peripheral nerves using artificial biological matrices. He then moved to the Institute of Neurology in London to investigate the mechanisms of disease development in multiple sclerosis. He moved to the University of Birmingham in 2002, where he investigated the mechanisms behind why central nervous system axons fail to regenerate and developed strategies to combat these complications. In 2011, he was promoted to Lecturer, then to Senior Lecturer in 2013 and to Professor in Neuroscience in 2021. He continues to investigate the molecular mechanisms underpinning the failure of central nervous system neurons to regenerate after injury and disease. He currently leads the Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Section, a group of diverse clinicians and scientists interested in all aspects of trauma and disease affecting the eye, brain and spinal cord. His current focus for research is aligned with the university’s identified priority areas of immunology, infection and inflammation related to trauma and, in particular, neurotrauma.