Dementia Researcher Blogs

Adam Smith - Dementia Researcher, Bringing Communities Together

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Adam discusses the upcoming launch of the Dementia Researcher Communities App, designed as an exclusive, secure platform for dementia researchers to connect, share insights, and collaborate. It will feature social media functionalities tailored for the research community, including live events, mentoring, and group discussions, aimed at enhancing networking and support across various research stages and areas. He also shares news that Dementia Researcher is inviting researchers and community leaders to use free functionality allow them to host their own groups within the app. The aim being to bring communities together, unified in their aim but with their own identities.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-dementia-researcher-bringing-communities-together/
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Apply for your own community -
https://forms.gle/k2esthS9mYEtBasG9
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Adam Smith was born in the north, a long time ago. He wanted to write books, but ended up working in the NHS, and at the Department of Health.  He is now Programme Director in the Office of the NIHR National Director for Dementia Research (which probably sounds more important than it is) at University College London. He has led a number of initiatives to improve dementia research (including this website, Join Dementia Research & ENRICH), as well as pursuing his own research interests. In his spare time, he grows vegetables, builds Lego & spends most of his time drinking too much coffee and squeezing technology into his house.
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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 Beth Eyre - Subjective Cognitive Decline PIA Year in Review Recap

Dr Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Beth brings us news from last months ISTAART Subjective Cognitive Decline PIA Year in Review Webinar. The event explored the latest advancements in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) research, emphasising its significance as an early indicator for Alzheimer's disease. Beth highlights new findings that deepen understanding of SCD's role in Alzheimer's progression, including potential biomarkers and the impact of early intervention strategies. These insights are crucial for developing more effective treatments and preventive measures, underscoring the importance of continued research and collaboration in the field. 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-biofluid-based-biomarkers-pia-year-in-review-recap/
Don’t forget, you can get involved in the SCD PIA by joining ISTAART and get access to previous webinars!
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Dr Beth Eyre is a Postdoctoral Researcher 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.
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Dr Jodi Watt - Reflections on a challenging PhD

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website.
Jodi shares a candid recount of their PhD journey, unmasking the seldom-discussed mental toll of academia. Confronting the daunting aftermath of a PhD, they navigate through self-recovery, ultimately finding strength in vulnerability and self-advocacy. This blog is not just a narrative of personal triumph over academic adversities, but an intimate guide for resilience and healing within the high-pressure environment of research. It's a stirring manifesto for change in the academic world, advocating for compassion over competition, a must-read for anyone within or considering a path in academia.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-reflections-on-a-challenging-phd/
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Dr Jodi Watt is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Glasgow. Jodi's academic interests are in both healthy ageing and neurodegenerative diseases of older age, and they are currently working on drug repurposing for dementia. Previously they worked on understanding structural, metabolic and physiological brain changes with age, as measured using magnetic resonance imaging. As a queer and neurodiverse person, Jodi is also incredibly interested in improving diversity and inclusion practices both within and outside of the academic context.
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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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Follow us on Social Media:
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Dr Clarissa Giebel - Building non-academic collaborations

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Clarissa's blog emphasises the value of non-academic collaborations in academia, particularly in dementia and social care research. She highlights the importance of incorporating diverse expertise, including professionals and stakeholders from the healthcare and social care sectors. Clarissa suggests leveraging existing networks and digital platforms to foster these collaborations, emphasising reciprocal relationships and the inclusion of non-academic perspectives in research. The blog also touches on the establishment of initiatives like the North West Coast Living Lab in Ageing and Dementia to strengthen academic-social care practice relationships.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-building-non-academic-collaborations/
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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.
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Follow us on Social Media:
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Dr Yvonne Couch - Aging in Pre-Clinical Research

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Yvonne explores the challenges and importance of incorporating aging processes in pre-clinical research, particularly in animal models. It addresses the practical and financial difficulties of conducting aging research, the translational roadblocks faced in this field, and the implications of age-related changes on disease processes and treatment efficacy. The blog emphasises the urgent need to rethink how research is carried out and funded in the context of an aging population, advocating for more innovative approaches in pre-clinical studies.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-aging-in-pre-clinical-research/
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Kate Turley - Which hat to wear? Navigating industry-academic partnerships

Kate Turley narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In her first blog for Dementia Researcher, Kate shares her unique journey and insights from working at the intersection of industry and academia. Starting as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) associate, Kate faced the challenging yet rewarding task of bridging the gap between a lighting design company and university research teams. The blog explores the complexities of balancing commercial sensitivity with academic openness, especially in a pioneering project focused on developing a lighting and sensing solution for people living with dementia. Kate's experience highlights the importance of strategic decision-making, protecting intellectual property, and the delicate art of knowledge-sharing. This blog has valuable lessons for anyone involved in or considering industry-academic collaborations, particularly in areas of novel research and product development.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-which-hat-to-wear-navigating-industry-academic-partnerships/
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Kate Turley is a PhD researcher and industrial fellow at Ulster University & Chroma Lighting. Kate is researching how dynamic lighting can help to support the body clock of people living with dementia. Kate's background is in physics and computer science, so the ongoing race to develop assistive health tech for people living with dementia was a huge motivator behind her decision to focus on this subject for her PhD. Outside her studies, Kate is an expert solitaire player.
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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
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Dr Anna Volkmer - Moving forward from disappointment

Dr Anna Volkmer, narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Anna's blog offers an insightful and relatable journey through the ups and downs of her grant application experiences. In this candid review Anna discusses the challenging and often disheartening world of academic funding. She shares her experiences of applying for various grants and awards, including the intricacies involved in grant writing, which she likens to crafting a persuasive sales pitch. Despite facing rejections and setbacks, such as being unsuccessful in three co-applications and a major grant, Anna also celebrates her successes, including securing a charity grant and a UCL equality and diversity grant. Listen to hear about resilience and perseverance in the face of disappointment.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-moving-forward-from-disappointment/
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Dr Anna Volkmer is a Speech and Language Therapist and researcher in Language and Cognition, Department of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London. Anna is researching Speech and language therapy interventions in language led dementia and was once voted scariest speech and language therapist (even her children agree).
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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
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Dr Sam Moxon - 2023: A Landmark Year for Public Understanding of Dementia?

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
2023 marks a pivotal year in the evolution of public understanding of dementia. In this blog Sam explores some of the key news that sits at the heart of this transformation. Sam discusses the breakthroughs and challenges faced in dementia research, emphasising the importance of community awareness and scientific advances. He sheds light on the strides made  with drug treatments, and finishes on what comes next.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-2023-a-landmark-year-for-public-understanding-of-dementia/
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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.
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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 the NIHR, 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:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Ajantha Abey - Mastering the PhD Journey: Key Application Insights

Ajantha Abey narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Embarking on a PhD is a monumental journey, not only in its execution but also in its initiation. Ajantha's blog is a treasure trove of insights and guidance, illuminating the path to a successful PhD journey. Drawing from personal experiences and an insider's view from the graduate studies committee at Oxford, Ajantha unravels the complexities of the PhD application process, offering invaluable advice to aspiring students. Whether it's understanding the importance of self-awareness, gaining relevant experience, or the nuances of choosing the right research question, this article is an indispensable guide.
It's not just about filling out an application form; it's about a profound journey of self-discovery and meticulous preparation, essential for anyone considering this significant academic pursuit. Prepare to be enlightened and equipped with the wisdom to navigate the intricate PhD application process.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-mastering-the-phd-journey-key-application-insights/
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher