Ruth is an internationally recognized neuroscientist and is Vice President, and Head of Discovery Biology at Pfizer Global Research and Development.

A biochemist by training, Ruth gained her PhD studying the molecular mechanism by which antidepressant drugs work. In particular, she has contributed to understanding the mechanism of Valium-type drugs, a topic on which she is an internationally recognized scientist with more than 80 scientific papers to her name.

In addition, her talent for making complex science interesting, entertaining and understandable earned her the Glaxo/ABSW Science Writers’ Award for her articles in the Independent.

She is a visiting Professor at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and takes an active interest in science communication, citing 'writing science for non-scientists' as her hobby.