Matthew Freeman is Professor of Pathology at University of Oxford. He has made many important discoveries about the mechanisms of intercellular signalling, with implications for fundamental biology and disease. His group is a world leader in the study of the rhomboid-like family of proteins as well as signalling by intramembrane proteases more widely. Among other discoveries, it has identified a role for rhomboids in mitochondrial membrane dynamics, which is now being pursued in the context of Parkinson’s disease and type II diabetes. He also has extensive science policy experience, and his leadership is evidenced by his past and current headship of two major UK departments.