CUBRIC Director receives International Distinguished Service Award following over three decades of service

Professor Derek Jones, Director of Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), has been awarded the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Distinguished Service Award.

The award recognises extensive service and outstanding contributions to the ISMRM, an international society dedicated to advancing magnetic resonance in medicine.

Professor Jones has made long-standing contributions to the Society’s work, including serving as Programme Chair of the ISMRM Annual Scientific Meeting in Milan in 2014 and as President of the Society in 2022.

Reflecting on the award, one of the highest honours conferred by the ISMRM, Professor Jones said: “This is a huge honour for me. The ISMRM has been my academic home for over 30 years.”

A key focus throughout his service has been a dedication to mentoring and developing early‑career researchers, which has been central to his role as Director of CUBRIC at Cardiff University.

He said: “At CUBRIC, we have a long tradition of mentoring early‑career researchers who have gone on to secure prestigious Fellowships and establish successful independent research programmes. Watching people develop into confident, creative scientists is one of the most satisfying parts of my role as an academic.”

This same perspective helped shape his leadership as Programme Chair and President within the ISMRM, with initiatives introduced to improve opportunities and access to training for early‑career researchers.

During his tenure as President of the ISMRM, Professor Jones worked to widen global access to the Society’s flagship activities and educational resources, with a particular focus on supporting colleagues from low‑ and middle‑income countries. This included sustained efforts to expand training opportunities, support attendance by African researchers, and help establish the ISMRM African Chapter. These initiatives have led to the Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting being held in Africa for the first time.

The 2026 meeting is taking place across 9-14 May in Cape Town, marking an important milestone in broadening participation in global MRI research and education.

Underpinning both his work within the ISMRM and his leadership at CUBRIC is also a central aim to connect the international MRI community and expand global access to MRI research and training.

Through partnerships with global organisations such as Wellcome and the Gates Foundation, Cardiff University research teams at CUBRIC are working closely with teams in Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, and Uganda to support training that aims to empower local researchers to operate, maintain, and innovate independently.

This vision is being taken forward with the support of an eight-year Wellcome Discovery Award, Democratising Neuroimaging Research with Low‑Field MRI, led by Professor Jones.

Head of Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, Professor Katherine Shelton, commended Professor Jones on his service award: “This is a richly deserved recognition for Derek, whose leadership and vision exemplify Cardiff University’s Global Civic Mission. His work reflects the very best of our values as a globally engaged, socially responsible university.”

The award was presented earlier today at the ISMRM Awards Ceremony in Cape Town, which was livestreamed globally.