Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Peter Connelly - Two Worlds of Clinical Trials

Dr Peter Connelly narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Peter compares academically led and commercially sponsored clinical trials, outlining how they differ in goals, recruitment expectations, intensity, monitoring and funding. Drawing on personal experience, he highlights unrealistic recruitment projections, contrasts study cultures, and reflects on the professional rewards and pressures associated with each model. The blog offers practical insight for clinicians considering participation in dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-two-worlds-of-clinical-trials/
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Dr Peter Connelly is a retired Old Age Psychiatrist who spent much of his career in Tayside, helping to establish clinical trials for dementia and neuroprogressive disorders in Scotland. Now working with the Scottish Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network, he combines professional insight with personal experience as a former carer. In retirement, he enjoys music, golf, and time with his grandchildren.
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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.
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Supervision vs Mentorship

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Kam revisits a theme she first explored three years ago: the difference between supervision and mentorship in academia. Drawing on her journey to becoming a primary PhD supervisor, she explores structural barriers facing early career researchers, the funding realities that delay independence, and the risk of blurring mentoring with supervision. She argues that these are distinct roles requiring different skills and boundaries, and that separating them can better protect students and support openness, development, and academic progression.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-supervision-vs-mentorship/
 
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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.
--
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Dr Clíona Farrell - Returning to work after a travel-filled career break

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
After finishing her PhD and a short postdoc extension, Clíona took a five month career break to travel across Asia before starting a new postdoctoral role at UCL. In this blog, she reflects on the emotional and practical challenges of stepping away from academia, the privilege and uncertainty of taking time out, and what it feels like to return refreshed to a new lab, new techniques, and a genuine fresh start.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-returning-to-work-after-a-travel-filled-career-break/
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Dr Clíona Farrell is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. Her work focuses on understanding neuroinflammation in Down syndrome, both prior to, and in response to, Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Clíona completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience in Trinity College, and then worked as a research assistant in the Royal College of Surgeons studying ALS and Parkinson’s disease. She also knows the secret behind scopping the perfect 99 ice-cream cone. @ClionaFarrell_--
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.
--
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Emily Spencer - Learning to Let Good Be Enough

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Emily reflects on a lifelong struggle with perfectionism and how it shapes her learning, work, and wellbeing. Through personal stories spanning school, sport, previous employment, and her PhD, she explores the tension between striving for high standards and recognising when doing less may actually be the wiser and healthier choice. As she approaches the final months of her doctorate, Emily considers how redefining success might allow her to protect her wellbeing while still producing meaningful, high quality research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-learning-to-let-good-be-enough/
#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia
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Emily Spencer is a PhD Student at University College London looking at improving how GPs communicate with people with dementia and their family carers about their future care. Emily previous had a 5 year career break to pursue a career as a musician, and has previously undertaken research on improving the care people with dementia receive from their GP practice, as well as end-of-life and palliative care provision in the community. Emily is also a new mum and will be writing about her experiences navigating motherhood and a research career.
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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.
--
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Dr Gemma Lace - An Introverts Survival Guide to Conferences

Dr Gemma Lace, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog, Gemma explores the reality of attending academic conferences as an introvert or neurodivergent researcher. She reflects on her own experiences with imposter syndrome, conference anxiety and social overwhelm, while offering practical strategies to help researchers build confidence and gain meaningful professional development from conference attendance. From setting personal goals to using simple networking conversation starters and prioritising wellbeing, the blog encourages readers to approach conferences in ways that feel manageable, authentic and rewarding.Find the original text, and narration here on our website.https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-an-introverts-survival-guide-to-conferences/--
Dr Gemma Lace is Associate Dean Academic for Student Experience and leads the Molecular Biology Dementia Group at the University of Salford, where she investigates abnormal protein accumulation and small extracellular vesicles in neurodegenerative disease. Funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Society, she combines research with supporting future scientists, drawing on a career that spans a Neuroscience degree, a PhD in Genomic Medicine and work across major neurodegenerative conditions. Motivated by family experience, she is dedicated to improving understanding of dementia, and outside work she is a life coach, martial artist and mother of three.
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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.
--
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Professor Louise Serpell - A career in Alzheimer’s Research

Professor Louise Serpell, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this opening post, Louise Serpell traces her journey through Alzheimer’s research, beginning as a shy PhD student and moving through decades of scientific discovery, mentorship, and persistence. She reflects on finding her scientific home in protein misfolding and amyloid structure, the beauty of X ray fibre diffraction, and the realities of building a research career shaped as much by people and failures as by results. The piece sets the tone for a new blog series that will explore amyloid biology, success in academia, and what comes next for Alzheimer’s research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-a-career-in-alzheimers-research/--
 
Professor Louise Serpell is an Emerita Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Sussex. Her research focuses on how proteins misfold and form amyloid structures linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, using approaches from structural biology and molecular biophysics. Louise completed her DPhil at the University of Oxford and later established her own research group in the UK. Alongside her research career, she has been active in mentoring, public engagement, and supporting early career researchers. Find Louise on LinkedIn
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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.
--
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Dr Becky Carlyle - Academic overwhelm, you’re not the only one

Dr Becky Carlyle, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this candid blog, Becky reflects on the reality of feeling overwhelmed during a demanding stage of an academic career. She describes the competing pressures of grant writing, teaching, leadership roles, family life and supporting research teams, while still finding joy in discovery and mentoring. Becky shares practical approaches that help her stay organised and protect wellbeing, including structured prioritisation, making space for personal life and recognising that difficult periods should have an end point. The blog offers reassurance that overwhelm is common, temporary and manageable with the right support and strategies.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-academic-overwhelm-youre-not-the-only-one/--
 
Dr Becky Carlyle is an Alzheimer's Research UK Senior Research Fellow at University of Oxford, and has previously worked in the USA. Becky writes about her experiences of starting up a research lab and progressing into a more senior research role. Becky's research uses mass-spectrometry to quantify thousands of proteins in the brains and biofluids of people with dementia. Her lab is working on various projects, including work to compare brain tissue from people with dementia from Alzheimer’s Disease, to tissue from people who have similar levels of Alzheimer’s Disease pathology but no memory problems. Becky is also a mum, she runs, drinks herbal tea's and reads lots of books. Find Becky on LinkedIn
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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.
--
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Dr Yvonne Couch - Storytelling in Academia

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
This blog explores how storytelling strengthens science communication across papers, presentations, and public engagement. Yvonne reflects on lessons from podcasts, conferences, and outreach work to show how understanding your audience can transform how research is shared. Drawing on personal experiences and examples from academia, the blog highlights how strong narrative flow helps researchers connect ideas, engage listeners, and improve interdisciplinary collaboration.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-storytelling-in-academia/
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Dr Yvonne Couch is a Research 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.
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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.
--
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Dr Emma Law - How We Ensure Safety in Dementia Drug Trials

Dr Emma Law, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Clinical trials in dementia rely on carefully designed safeguards to protect participants and ensure treatments are tested responsibly. Emma Law explains how safety is built into every stage of a trial, from ethical recruitment and consent to screening processes, monitoring, and staff training. In this blog Emma highlights how lessons from past trial failures shaped current best practice and emphasises the shared responsibility between researchers, participants, carers, and sponsors to ensure studies run safely while advancing new treatments.
 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-we-ensure-safety-in-dementia-drug-trials/
#DementiaResearch #ClinicalTrials #Research #TrialDelivery
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Dr Emma Law is Strategic Manager for the The Neuroprogressive and Dementia Network in Scotland. Emma has 13 years experience as a Clinical Trails Network Manager and over 35 years experience as a Nurse, many of which were spent in the delivery of Clinical Research Trials. Emma completed her PhD and is passionate about giving people living with dementia and their carers access to participate in research. 
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
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