Brian Cox

 was a British scientist. In the early 21st century, he appeared on television, claiming that the Shakri cubes could not have been falling space debris but was uncertain if they were of extraterrestrial origin. (TV: The Power of Three)

Cox travelled with the Eleventh Doctor for a short time before giving a lecture on physics. The Doctor needed to ensure that the lecture was suitably inspirational, because a girl attending the lecture would be inspired to become an important scientist. (TV: The Science of Doctor Who)

Behind the scenes
In 2013, Cox presented The Science of Doctor Who on BBC Two.