Alastair Compston is professor emeritus of neurology in the University of Cambridge. A graduate of the Middlesex Hospital Medical School who trained in neurology at the National Hospital, Queen Square, he was formerly professor of neurology in the University of Wales, president of the European Neurological Society and the Association of British Neurologists, and editor of Brain.   

Alastair Compston’s research focuses on the clinical science of human demyelinating disease including the discovery of genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis and the introduction of Alemtuzumab as a highly effective and durable treatment for the disease. This work has been recognised by research prizes including the Charcot Award; the K-J Zülch Prize; the World Federation of Neurology Medal; the John Dystel Prize; the Richard and Mary Cave Award of the Multiple Sclerosis Society; the Hughlings Jackson Medal; the Galen Medal; and the Association of British Neurologists Medal. Alastair Compston has been appointed Commander of the British Empire. He is aFellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences; and Foreign Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Germany and the National Academy of Medicine of the USA.