Clare Hall celebrates exceptional presence in ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholars 2025
We are delighted to celebrate remarkable representation in the ScholarGPS® Highly Ranked Scholars™ 2025 list. Within the University of Cambridge, six leading researchers affiliated with Clare Hall are ranked in the top 40. Their work spans engineering, cosmology, mathematics, neuroscience, and earth sciences, reflecting the college’s deep commitment to interdisciplinary excellence.
Rank 4: Professor Michael F. Ashby
A pioneer in materials science, Professor Ashby is widely known for the Ashby diagrams that revolutionised materials selection in engineering and design. His textbooks and methodology shaped how generations of engineers approach sustainability, lightweight structures, and materials optimization. His work has high influence across academia, industry, and environmental design.
Rank 7: Professor Lord Martin J. Rees
Astronomer Royal and former President of the Royal Society, Professor Lord Rees has guided contemporary understanding of cosmic structure, black holes, and the origins of the universe. Beyond research, he has played a leading role in public science communication and global risk discourse. His contributions place him among the most cited figures in modern astrophysics.
Rank 19: Professor John D. Barrow
A distinguished cosmologist and mathematician, Professor Barrow produced influential work on the fundamental constants of nature, the geometry of the universe, and the interplay between mathematics and physical reality. He authored numerous books that brought complex cosmological ideas to broad audiences, leaving a lasting intellectual legacy.
Rank 31: Professor Barbara J. Sahakian
A leading scholar in clinical neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience, Professor Sahakian is known for research on decision-making, mood disorders, neuroethics, and the cognitive effects of pharmacological treatments. Her work bridges psychiatry, psychology, and pharmacology, influencing both scientific understanding and mental health policy.
In the Highly Ranked Scholars 2025 list, she is the top ranked female scholar within the University of Cambridge.
Rank 39: Professor Sir Nicholas J. Shackleton
A foundational figure in paleoclimatology, Professor Sir Shackleton transformed understanding of Earth’s climate history through his isotope analyses of deep-sea sediment cores. His research provided decisive evidence for orbital mechanisms driving ice age cycles. His methods continue to underpin climate reconstruction efforts worldwide.
Rank 40: Professor Athanassios S. Fokas
Professor Fokas is renowned for groundbreaking mathematical techniques used to solve complex differential equations. His unified transform method has influenced fields from fluid dynamics to medical imaging. His interdisciplinary work exemplifies the blend of mathematical rigor and applied innovation championed by Clare Hall.
Clare Hall is very proud to have such a unique environment that supports students, senior scholars, early career researchers, and visiting academics alike. The college’s international and interdisciplinary focus continues to attract world leaders in science and scholarship while providing an inclusive community where researchers at every stage can thrive.