Professor Robert James Richard Blair is a British neuroscientist renowned for his research on the neurobiological and cognitive mechanisms of psychopathy, aggression, and antisocial behaviour. He is best known for the Violence Inhibition Mechanism (VIM) model, linking psychopathy to dysfunction in neural circuits, particularly the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, affecting empathy and fear processing. Blair’s work has advanced understanding of conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and the neural basis of violent behaviour, using techniques such as fMRI. He has also examined the effects of early-life adversity on brain development. His research informs forensic psychology, mental health care, and criminal justice.

Professor Nilli Lavie is a cognitive neuroscientist recognised for her pioneering research on attention, perception, and cognitive load. She is best known for the Load Theory of Attention and Cognitive Control, which explains how perceptual and cognitive load influence distractibility and selective attention. Lavie’s work has shown that high cognitive load increases susceptibility to distraction, while high perceptual load helps filter irrelevant stimuli. Her research has wide-ranging applications in psychology, neuroscience, and human performance, impacting fields such as education, clinical research, and safety-critical industries. Using behavioural studies and neuroimaging, Lavie continues to shape modern understanding of attention and cognitive control.

Professor Moshe Szyf is a pioneering molecular biologist whose research has transformed our understanding of epigenetics and its impact on behaviour, health, and disease. He is renowned for demonstrating how environmental factors, such as stress and social experiences, can cause lasting epigenetic changes, particularly through DNA methylation. Szyf’s work has revealed how early-life adversity influences mental health and disease risk, with major implications for psychiatry, oncology, and personalised medicine. His research bridges basic science and clinical applications, exploring epigenetic therapies. A leading advocate for public health, Szyf’s work has reshaped perspectives on how environment and lifestyle influence biology across generations.