Dr Ruth McKernan

In her career as a neuroscientist, Ruth has spanned the academic, business and government worlds. During her 26 years in Pharma, she led drug discovery efforts in the US and the UK, ultimately heading the Pfizer Research Centre in Sandwich.

In 2015, she became Chief Executive of InnovateUK where she co-created the Government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund among other initiatives.

Ruth has served on multiple Boards including the MRC, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Cancer Research Technology and the US public company, Cerevel. She is currently an Operating Partner at SV Health Investors where she has co-founded five Biotech companies. In 2026, Ruth was elected Vice President of the Academy of Medical Sciences and received the Chigwell Lifetime Achievement Award from the BioIndustry Association.

Ruth was made a Commander of the British Empire for services to business and innovation in 2013 and elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2015.