Ann Silver

[1] She wrote a seminal text on the Biology of cholinesterases[2] in 1974 and helped to lay the foundations of the cholinergic hypothesis by mapping cholinergic systems and helping to emphasise the importance of these pathways in brain areas central to cognitive and memory functions, leading to the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

The institute was to remain Ann's employer for most of her career, where she continued to work with Catherine Hebb, co-authoring several papers on their research on the acetylcholine system.

[8] While there, Silver worked on the acetylcholine system, mapping the enzymes, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and investigating the nerve transport mechanism.

These included the director Sir John Gaddum, pharmacologist and neurochemist, Marthe Vogt, who had previously lectured in pharmacology and neuro-physiologist Krešimir Krnjević, who had also gained a PhD at the university.

After many years in the lab, Silver eventually moved into the role of Information Officer, when a rise in anti-vivisection activity prompted a need for better public relations and awareness.