Recognition of Distinction Award, 2021: Professor Theresa Burt de Perera

Theresa has been a Tutorial Fellow in Biological Sciences at St John's since 2010 and is currently also Senior Dean.

Her research is concerned with unraveling the behavioural mechanisms that underpin spatial cognition, the fundamental processes that allow animals to navigate effectively through their own habitats. Her group uses theoretical and empirical approaches to study the senses that are used to obtain information on the local surroundings, and to explore how this information is learned, remembered and recalled to enable efficient navigation.

Recognition of Distinction Awards are assessed using three criteria:

• an ongoing research record which is characterised by a significant influence on the field of study and is of a high order of excellence and of international standing, and the quality of which in terms of research distinction is at least equal to that expected of those appointed to full professorships at other leading international research universities.
• a record of effective teaching for the University and for colleges, concomitant with the duties of the University post and the college fellowship, where one is held.
• a record of involvement in University and/or college administration and demonstrable competence in such administration.

Professor Burt de Perera's most recent publications can be found here.