Drs Rupert McShane and Michael Browning, who are both also members of the Oxford University Department of Psychiatry, have been awarded the title of Associate Professor, in recognition of their distinction in their field and contributions to the research, teaching and administration of the department.

Dr McShane (pictured left) said: “I’m incredibly lucky to be involved in the most exciting advance in psychopharmacology in 50 years: the acute antidepressant action of ketamine.

The rapidity of relief that it gives to some people who have been depressed for years is astonishing. I’ve had fantastic support and advice from colleagues in the Department and the Trust. This means we’re now in a great position to look at how to use ketamine, and at how it works.

“In the future I would like to see: a big HTA trial to see whether it can maintain improved function for 6 months; a national registry which includes private as well as NHS clinics; acutely suicidal inpatients receiving ketamine treatment; an international conference at Wadham; a new form of relapse prevention psychotherapy being routinely provided through a national platform. And that’s before we get started on my other interest: driving in dementia project…..So not much really!

Find out more about Dr McShane’s work.

Dr Michael Browning (pictured right) said: “It is a privilege to be awarded the title of Associate Professor by Oxford and an honour to receive this recognition from the University.

“I hope to continue developing the computational psychiatry laboratory that I have set up in the Department of Psychiatry and to push our work forward to better understand the causes of common psychiatric illnesses and to inform the development of new treatments for patients.

“My Granny is really pleased too.”

Find out more about Dr Browning’s work and previous award.