Professor’s epilepsy award completes family double

Professor Ann Jacoby and Professor Gus Baker, who has now joined his wife as a Lord Hastings Award winner

A leading clinical neuropsychologist from the University of Liverpool has been presented with a top award for his work in epilepsy – four years after his wife, Professor Ann Jacoby, received the same honour.

Professor Gus Baker received the Lord Hastings Award from the charity Epilepsy Action in recognition of his national and international role in promoting epilepsy research.

Professor Baker, from the Institute of Translational Medicine said: “I have been working with the charity Epilepsy Action for more than 20 years and I am pleased and honoured to receive this award.

“I am also bemused by the fact that Ann and I are probably the only husband and wife to separately receive the Hastings Award! We’ve now got two lovely silver platters to display at home!”

The award was presented at the annual meeting of Epilepsy Action by the charity’s Chief Executive Philip Lee.

Professor Baker has been a consultant clinical neuropsychologist at The Walton Centre and at the University of Liverpool for 25 years. He has published more than 230 papers on the impact of epilepsy, leading to changes in clinical practices internationally.

He has previously been awarded the British Psychological Society Lifetime Award for distinguished contribution to professional psychology in recognition of his services to epilepsy; and the International League Against Epilepsy Ambassador Award.

His wife, Ann Jacoby, Professor of Medical Sociology in the University’s Institute of Psychology, Health and Society, has been involved in epilepsy-related research since 1986.