A BARNSLEY-BORN researcher has been awarded almost £1m for a groundbreaking stem cell study to develop new treatments for dementia.
Dr Selina Wray, 32, beat three other research teams for three years' funding – worth £900,000 – to develop an innovative new way to screen potential treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's.
Dr Wray grew up on St George's Road, Barnsley, and attended Longcar Junior School and Holgate School before studying A levels at Barnsley College.
She said: "It's an honour to have been singled out as a female pioneer for my research and highlights just how much dementia is at the forefront of public consciousness.
"With almost a million pounds of new funding to continue my work, I hope to be able to make bigger and faster strides and play my part in the effort the defeat dementia."
Dr Wray was named Pioneer of the Year in Red Magazine's Women of the Year awards in recognition of the importance of her work.
Her father and other relatives still live in Barnsley and she regularly visits.
"I miss the northern friendliness and sense of humour I'm glad I still go back often and get to see big events like the Tour De France coming through the town. I'll always have fond memories of growing up there and it's really nice to go back often and catch up with old friends."
