Honorary DegreesDr Ruth McKernan

Meet Ruth

Dr Ruth McKernan CBE is a British scientist and entrepreneur celebrated for her pivotal roles in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Renowned for leadership in biotech, Ruth has been heavily involved with companies Astronautx, Cumulus Neuroscience, Loqus23, Alechmab and most recently, Draig Theraputics, for which she raised $150 million. Dr McKernan advocates for diversity, and her work promotes translational research and significantly advances drug discovery, notably in pain management and oncology. 

With 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including leadership roles as Head of Neuroscience Research Centre at Merck and Senior Vice President at Pfizer, Dr McKernan has spearheaded numerous initiatives, such as establishing new research units and forming partnerships.

Chief Executive

Ruth spent three years as Chief Executive of Innovate UK, supporting the transition to UK Research and Innovation, shaping the UK funding landscape for research, development and innovation to encourage growth in UK small and medium-sized businesses.

Dr McKernan has a strong commitment to Translational Research. Her work has often bridged the gap between academic research and practical applications in medicine. Ruth's focus on translational research, translating scientific discoveries into tangible therapies and treatments, positively impacts patient outcomes and improves healthcare.

Advocate for diversity and inclusion

Dr McKernan has always advocated for diversity and inclusion in the sciences and the workplace. She's spoken out about the importance of creating environments that foster diverse perspectives and talent, which is crucial for driving innovation and success in scientific research and business.

Notably, Dr McKernan’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the UK Government’s Innovation agency, Innovate UK, showcased Dr McKernan’s commitment to diversity and innovation promotion, exemplified by their advocacy for the 'Women in Innovation' campaign.

Additionally, Dr McKernan’s involvement as a Trustee for Alzheimer’s Research UK and leadership roles in organisations including the UK's BioIndustry Association demonstrate their dedication to advancing scientific research and industry standards.

Biotech

Dr McKernan’s current role as a Venture Partner for SV Health Investors and involvement in founding several biotech companies, such as AstronauTx, highlight their entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to developing treatments for neurodegenerative conditions.

Ruth's recent accomplishment of securing significant Series A financing for AstronauTx underscores their ability to drive impactful projects forward.

Watch

Watch Dr Ruth McKernan receive her Honorary Degree, and hear what she had to say to our students at their graduation ceremony.

Your degree should not define your limits. It proves that you have none. Whatever subject you studied, the world you are stepping into doesn't care much about what you've memorised. It cares about how you think, how you adapt. Some of the greatest lessons you will learn will come from moments that weren't planned, from mistakes you didn't mean to make and from people who challenged your perspective.

We caught up with Ruth to see how she feels about her Honorary Degree. 

Congratulations. How do you feel about receiving your Honorary Degree from the University of Strathclyde today?

I am absolutely delighted. I was born in Perthshire, of Scottish parents, and they revered the benefit of a Scottish education.  I feel my Honorary degree now recognises that I meet that bar!  

What’s the most important life lesson you’ve learned?

I’m not much of a planner, so I've just done what I enjoy. If you love your job, it means you are probably quite good at it.

What advice do you have for our graduates?

Your degree proves you can learn, but it doesn’t define your limits. The world you’re stepping into doesn’t just care about what you know now but how you adapt, grow and how you treat others.

What makes you happy in life?

I’ve just started to learn the saxophone, and I get a lot of pleasure from that. Also, walking around the garden with my husband, enjoying a glass of wine.

What’s the most important thing you do daily for you?

I’m not a sportswoman in any sense, but I do try to get in my 10,000 steps!