AN emeritus professor from Corbridge has been named as one of the top 1,000 female scientists in the world.

Dr Elaine Perry has been ranked 55th in the UK and 533rd in the world by Research.com.

The neuroscientist, formerly of Newcastle University, is now a curator at Dilston Physic Garden - a charity for medicinal plant education - which she founded over 20 years ago.

The rating is based on publications and citations and aims to offer more visibility into the scientific achievements of women, whom the research platform believes, deserve an equal chance to be represented and praised for their work as men.

"After 50 years as a neuroscientist, with no expectation of a formally recognised impact of my research, in 2022 came the surprising news of ranking among the 100 top female scientists in the UK", said Dr Perry. "Surprising, because I am now no longer employed as a scientist by the university.

"The recognition is based on the numbers of publications and citations and these, particularly citations, accumulate with time or even appear much later as a result of new interest in a topic."

Dr Perry is a former professor of neurochemical pathology and holds degrees in biochemistry and neurochemistry. Her research as a neuroscientist focused on the human brain and cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Lewy body dementia and autism. Later research included the therapeutic potential of medicinal plant essential oils and relevant lab tests.

Dr Perry said she has faced challenges being a female scientist in a traditionally male-dominated world and encouraged opportunities for girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

She said: "I would advise any woman scientist with a vision of a research target that inspires her to keep that vision uppermost in mind, focus on whatever it takes to carry out the research, emanate enthusiasm that spreads to team members and collaborators and quietly deal with any gender issue for her or the team as diplomatically as possible – perhaps steering beyond that issue and towards the target."