Cynthia Pine, Salford University's Dean of Health and Social Care, has been included in Powerlist 2008, which honours Britain's 100 most influential black people.

She was congratulated by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a reception at the Foreign Office on October 8. Mr Brown described the Powerlist as 'a celebration of the achievements of 100 remarkable people – a testament of what can happen when talent meets opportunity in our country today.'

Professor Pine was the UK's first female dean of dental studies when she was appointed at Liverpool in 2003. During her time there Professor Pine secured funding to double the number of dental students from 50 to 107, making Liverpool the largest dental school outside London. She was awarded a CBE in 2006.