Richard Morris

Neuroscientist and creator of the Morris water maze.

Name: Richard Morris

Category: Current staff member

Role: Professor of Neuroscience

Country of origin: England, United Kingdom

Time active in Edinburgh: 2020s

Image of Richard Morris in front of water maze
Born in Sussex, Richard is one of the world's leading living neuroscientists. He is famed for developing the Morris water maze, a critical test for studying memory in rodents that is now used globally. 
 
His discoveries in the mechanics of learning and memory have greatly advanced our understanding of brain function. Richard's expertise earned him the prestigious Brain Prize in 2016, highlighting his major contributions to neuroscience. 
 
His work not only explores fundamental neuroscience but also aims at creating new treatments for memory-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Richard also played a pivotal role in developing neuroscience at Edinburgh, significantly shaping its research direction and educational landscape.
 
Besides his research, Richard is committed to mentoring, particularly supporting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in science.