Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Yvonne Couch - How to Make a Female Professor

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog Yvonne explores the challenges women face in academia and the need for cultural change. Despite increasing female representation in scientific fields, many women disappear from the academic pipeline, and even fewer make it to becoming a full Professors. So how do you deal with this? Continue to push more and more ECRs into the system, or take a more holistic approach? The article suggests strategies to retain and support women in their careers, emphasising the importance of organisational and systemic change. 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-make-a-female-professor/
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Dr Yvonne Couch is an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Oxford. Yvonne studies the role of extracellular vesicles and their role in changing the function of the vasculature after stroke, aiming to discover why the prevalence of dementia after stroke is three times higher than the average. It is her passion for problem solving and love of science that drives her, in advancing our knowledge of disease. Yvonne writes about her work, academic life, and careers as she takes a new road into independent research @dr_yvonne_couch
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
 
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Navigating the aisles: Assessing dementia-friendliness of a supermarket as part of a university seminar

Written by Dr Vitor Zimmerer, Artemis Bekiari, Hafsa Qureshi, Lidia Slominski, James Taylor-Anton and narrated by the authors.
In this blog, the authors share their experience of assessing the dementia-friendliness of a local supermarket as part of a university seminar. They discuss the importance of creating dementia-friendly environments to improve the autonomy and comfort of people with dementia. The students evaluated the supermarket using a checklist provided by the National Dementia Action Alliance and identified several areas for improvement. Issues included confusing signage, illogical placement of products, lack of clear checkout information, absence of quiet spaces and seating, and potential sources of confusion like transparent doors. The authors highlight the need for increased awareness and changes in supermarket design to better cater to the needs of people with dementia. They also discuss international examples and technical solutions that have been implemented to create dementia-friendly retail spaces. Overall, the exercise provided the students with practical experience in ethical people-centered design and highlighted the importance of accessibility and inclusivity for all customers.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-navigating-the-aisles-assessing-dementia-friendliness-of-supermarkets/
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Dr Vitor Zimmerer is a Lecturer  is the Department of Language and Cognition, University College London. Vitor studied linguistics at Heinrich-Heine-University in Düsseldorf, and has a PhD in Human Communication Sciences from the University of Sheffield. He is very interested in the effects of neurological damage and atypical development on language and study a range of populations including dementia and aphasia, also how language can be used as a marker of cognitive change.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
 
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Dr Clarissa Giebel - How the Applied Research Collaboration influenced my career in dementia research

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Clarissa explains how the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) has shaped her career, highlighting the benefits of public involvement, collaborative working, and impactful projects such as a board game on dementia inequalities. She also emphasizes the privilege of supervising early-career researchers in vital areas of study.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-the-arc-influenced-my-career-in-dementia-research/
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Dr Clarissa Giebel is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Liverpool and NIHR ARC North West Coast. Clarissa has been working in dementia care research for over 10 years focusing her research on helping people with dementia to live at home independently and well for longer, addressing inequalities that people with dementia and carers can face. Outside of her day work, Clarissa has also organised a local dementia network - the Liverpool Dementia & Ageing Research Forum, and has recently started her own podcast called the Ageing Scientist.
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If you would like to write your own blog drop us a line, we're always on the look out for new contributors to write about their research, careers + more dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk 
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Dr Sam Moxon - How does an idea turn into a clinical product?

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Sam explores the journey of transforming an idea into a tangible clinical solution. He highlights the complexities involved and emphasizes the importance of implementation. He draws on examples from the medical field, discussing regulatory processes, funding challenges, and the significance of market research. He encourages researchers to persevere, pivot when necessary, and focus on clinical applications to increase their chances of success. Ultimately, the value of an idea lies in its implementation for the benefit of patients.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-does-an-idea-turn-into-a-clinical-product/
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Dr Sam Moxon is a biomaterials Research Fellow at University of Birmingham. His expertise falls on the interface between biology and engineering. His PhD focussed on regenerative medicine and he now works on trying to develop 3D bioprinting techniques with human stem cells, so that we better understand and treat degenerative diseases. Outside of the lab he hikes through the Lake District and is an expert on all things Disney.
Enjoy listening and reading our blogs? We're always on the look out for new contributors, drop us a line and share your own research and careers advice dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Ajantha Abey - Conference Insights: Top 10 Takeaways in Dementia Research

Ajantha Abey narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Ajantha shares his top 10 takeaways from recent conferences. His key findings include that breakthroughs are finally happening in therapeutic treatments, some of the most exciting advances are happening in fluid biomarkers, digital biomarkers are on the rise, spatial transcriptomics is the hottest new technique on the block, microglia are everyone's new favourite cell type, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration - and diversity is finally making the agenda!
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-conference-insights-top-10-takeaways-in-dementia-research/
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Ajantha Abey is a PhD student in the Kavli Institute at University of Oxford. He is interested in the cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other diseases of the ageing brain. Previously, having previoulsy explored neuropathology in dogs with dementia and potential stem cell replacement therapies. He now uses induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons to try and model selective neuronal vulnerability: the phenomenon where some cells die but others remain resilient to neurodegenerative diseases.
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Enjoy listening and reading our blogs? We're always on the look out for new contributors, drop us a line and share your own research and careers advice dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Should you apply for a Lectureship?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
If you are looking to pursue a career in academia, it's not just about teaching and research. Kamar, a lecturer in biomedical science at Teesside University, shares her experience and insights on obtaining a permanent academic position. In her blog, she highlights the different routes to obtaining permanent positions, such as fellowships, and provides key advice on applying for lectureships. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to pursue a career in academia and understands the challenges and opportunities available in the field.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-should-you-apply-for-a-lectureship/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Teesside University & Affiliate Researcher at Glasgow University. In addition to teaching, Kamar is exploring how neuroinflammation following traumatic brain injury contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases that lead to dementia. Having first pursued a career as an NHS Psychologist, Kamar went back to University in Durham to look at rodent behavioural tasks to completed her PhD, and then worked as a regional Programme Manager for NC3Rs.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Beth Eyre - The many hats of a dementia researcher

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Join Beth on an exciting journey through the various hats worn by researchers in this blog. If you're curious about the hidden aspects of a PhD journey and want to gain insights into the diverse roles researchers play, this blog is a must-read! Beth shares her personal experiences and lessons learned, unraveling the intricacies of designing projects, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and more. Whether you're a budding researcher or simply fascinated by the world of academia, this blog will expand your understanding of the multifaceted nature of research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-many-hats-of-a-dementia-researcher/
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Beth Eyre is a PhD Student at The University of Sheffield, researching Neurovascular and cognitive function in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease. Beth has a background in psychology, where she gained her degree from the University of Leeds. Inside and outside the lab, Beth loves sharing her science and in her blogs she discusses her work, career and shares lessons she learns as she navigates life as an early career researcher.
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This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support. Enjoy listening? We're always on the look out for new contributors, if you would like to write and narrate your own blog - drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk. 
Don't forget to also listen to our fortnightly podcast, just look for Dementia Researcher in your podcast app.

Hannah Hussain - Weightlifting is only for your younger years, right? … Wrong!

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Looking to improve your health as you age? Hannah suggests you look no further than resistance training! As our bodies naturally experience a decline in muscle mass, strength, and function, it's important to combat sarcopenia with exercise. And lifting weights has been shown to not only slow or reverse the effects of sarcopenia but also improve bone density, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and mood. Plus, it's especially beneficial for people with dementia. Don't let aging slow you down - Hannah makes the case for incorporate resistance training into your exercise routine and enjoy a healthier, happier life!
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-weightlifting-is-only-for-your-younger-years-right-wrong/
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Hannah Hussain is a PhD Student in Health Economics at The University of Sheffield. As a proud third generation  migrant and British-Asian, her career path has been linear and ever evolving, originally qualifying as a Pharmacist in Nottingham, then Health Economics in Birmingham. Her studies have opened a world into Psychology, Mental Health and other areas of health, and with that and personal influences she found her passion for dementia.
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This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk  

Dr Yvonne Couch - Developing a Plan B

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog Yvonne talks about developing a Plan B for your career (just in case, because we all know that "No plan survives first contact with the enemy"). Yvonne works through unlocking your potential and exploring new career paths - leverage your skills, embrace change, and create opportunities beyond academia. Don't settle for unhappiness—make a choice for your future and find success.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-developing-a-plan-b/
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Dr Yvonne Couch is an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow at the University of Oxford. Yvonne studies the role of extracellular vesicles and their role in changing the function of the vasculature after stroke, aiming to discover why the prevalence of dementia after stroke is three times higher than the average. It is her passion for problem solving and love of science that drives her, in advancing our knowledge of disease. Yvonne writes about her work, academic life, and careers as she takes a new road into independent research @dr_yvonne_couch
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk
 
This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.