Dementia Researcher Blogs

Ella Moonan-Howard and Pepsi Reilly - 4 reasons academics make good Innovators

Ella Moonan-Howard, narrating her and Pepsi Reilly's blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.In this blog, Ella and Pepsi, explore why academics make great innovators. Drawing from her own journey from academia to dementia innovation, they highlight how research skills like project management, adaptability, and a scientific approach to problem-solving can drive impactful product development. The blog discusses the benefits of applying these skills in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and introduces the Alzheimer’s Society’s Launchpad programme, which helps academics turn ideas into real-world solutions for people living with dementia.Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-a-career-with-impact-4-reasons-academics-make-good-innovators/
#HealthInnovation #VentureScience #Innovation
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Dr Ella Moonan-Howard is a Senior Innovator at the Alzheimer's Society. Ella previous worked at Zinc, supporting early stage start-ups and their founders to build research skills and to test their products as they built them. Obsessed with seeing the direct impact these start-ups could make, she moved to Alzheimer's Society to ensure the next generation of dementia products go on to achieve scale and change the lives of those living with dementia. Find Ella on LinkedIn
Pepsi Reilly has worked at the Alzheimer's Society since 2022 holding a number of positions within the Innovation Team, and having previously worked a number of charities and as a Research Assistant at University College London. Her work at UCL was focussed on dementia and care, and included work on the Continuing Compassion in Care (CCiC) Project: Exploring how informal carers of people living with dementia experience and maintain continuing compassion in care. Find Pepsi 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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Ella Moonan-Howard - Venture Science: What is it?

Ella Moonan-Howard, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.Discover how venture science is transforming dementia care in the first blog of our week-long focus on innovation, written by Ella Moonan-Howard from the Alzheimer’s Society Innovation Team. Ella explores how companies like Big Health are combining academic research and commercial development to create evidence-based digital health solutions, and how this model could inspire the next generation of dementia innovators. Don’t miss this exciting insight into the future of healthcare products for people living with dementia! Visit our website for links to Alzheimer's Society's new support calls.Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-venture-science-what-is-it/
#HealthInnovation #VentureScience #Innovation
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Dr Ella Moonan-Howard is a Senior Innovator at the Alzheimer's Society. Ella previous worked at Zinc, supporting early stage start-ups and their founders to build research skills and to test their products as they built them. Obsessed with seeing the direct impact these start-ups could make, she moved to Alzheimer's Society to ensure the next generation of dementia products go on to achieve scale and change the lives of those living with dementia. Find Ella 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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
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Dr Clíona Farrell - Journey to a PhD: A week in the life of a PhD student

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Clíona shares a typical week looks like for a PhD student. From lab work and data analysis to committee meetings and outreach events, Clíona shares her experiences from each year of her PhD, offering valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of life as a researcher. Whether you're considering a PhD or just curious about the process, this blog provides an honest look at the variety and commitment involved in pursuing a research career.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-journey-to-a-phd-a-week-in-the-life-of-a-phd-student/
#PhDPosition #PhDLife #PhDFunding #PhDApplications
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
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Dr Clíona Farrell - Journey to a PhD: How to write a standout CV and Cover Letter

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In the second of her three-part series Clíona offers practical advice for those applying to PhD programmes. She begins by discussing the importance of tailoring applications to specific projects and carefully reading job descriptions to meet both essential and desirable criteria. Clíona outlines the key components of a standout application: a clear, concise CV that highlights relevant education, research experience, and skills, and a personalised cover letter that demonstrates enthusiasm for the project and lab.
 
She recommends structuring the cover letter into two parts: the first part focuses on how the applicant's skills and experience make them suitable for the position, using evidence-based examples, while the second part explains why they are interested in the specific lab and project. Dr Farrell emphasises the importance of proofreading and personalising each application to improve chances of success. Remember... not to be discouraged by missing one or two skills and apply confidently.Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-to-write-a-standout-cv-and-cover-letter/
#PhDPosition #PhDLife #PhDFunding #PhDApplications
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
https://bsky.app/profile/dementiaresearcher.bsky.social

Dr Clíona Farrell - Journey to a PhD: How to get there

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In the first of her three-part series Clíona shares her personal journey to obtaining a PhD, offering insights into the challenges and decisions she faced along the way. From her undergraduate experience at Trinity College Dublin to working as a research assistant in Ireland, Clíona reflects on how she navigated the uncertainty of whether a PhD was the right path for her. She emphasises the importance of gaining lab experience, working in diverse teams, and seeking mentorship. Clíona also discusses the application process, the role of advertised PhD positions, and encourages aspiring researchers to be proactive in reaching out to potential supervisors. Her story highlights that there are many routes to a PhD and offers practical advice for those considering this path.Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-journey-to-a-phd-how-to-get-there/
#PhDPosition #PhDLife #PhDFunding #PhDApplications
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
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Emily Spencer - Best of Both Worlds

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.In this blog, Emily shares her experience of returning to work after nine months of maternity leave while balancing her PhD and the challenges of parenthood. She reflects on the initial optimism of her decision to return early, influenced by financial considerations and the availability of childcare. However, as she navigates the reality of being away from her son during key developmental moments, she questions whether she made the right choice. Despite the emotional challenges, Emily remains thankful for the flexibility academia offers, allowing her to balance her research, finances, and family life, while optimistically looking ahead to finding a sustainable balance.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-best-of-both-worlds/
#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia #MaternityLeave #Research
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Mimicking Dementia: What is Functional Cognitive Disorder?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
The blog discusses Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD), a condition that mimics dementia due to overlapping clinical symptoms such as cognitive impairment. While FCD shares similarities with dementia, including changes in memory and thinking, a key difference is that FCD is not degenerative. Unlike dementia, where brain cells are progressively lost, FCD involves dysfunction in how brain cells function and communicate. Diagnosis of FCD is complex, as it can sometimes be mistaken for dementia, but it should be based on identifying unique clinical features, such as internal inconsistency in cognitive performance. Improving diagnostic specificity is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment for those with non-disease-related cognitive impairments like FCD​
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-mimicking-dementia-what-is-functional-cognitive-disorder/
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
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Victoria Gabb - Developing ‘core outcomes’ for mild cognitive impairment research

Victoria Gabb, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.Join Victoria, a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, as she embarks on a new blog series exploring the development of 'core outcomes' for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) research. This series will follow the year-long project aimed at establishing a core outcome set (COS) for MCI, ensuring that research outcomes are both meaningful to patients and useful for clinical studies. By involving people with lived experience of MCI and professionals in the field, this work seeks to influence future research and improve patient care. Stay tuned for regular updates and insights.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-developing-core-outcomes-for-mci-research/
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Victoria Gabb is a Senior Research Associate in Sleep & Dementia Neuroscience at University of Bristol. Victoria is working on her PhD through publication and she is currently working on an important project to develop ‘Core Outcomes’ for Mild Cognitive Impairment. Her blogs on dementia researcher will be a way of sharing the progress of her work, to improve transparency, share the process and as a way to involve others - sharing the work, the process, and life in the pursuit of 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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Dr Sam Moxon - Flying Solo to an International Conference? A Survival Guide

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Sam provides practical advice for PhD students and postdocs attending conferences alone, especially overseas. Sam shares his personal experience, acknowledging that while solo travel can seem daunting, it offers significant personal and professional growth opportunities. He gives key tips, such as preparing thoroughly for the trip to reduce anxiety, obtaining an e-SIM to stay connected, using long-haul flights as a chance to relax, arriving early to explore the area, and making efforts to network at the event. Ultimately, he emphasises that solo travel can be a rewarding and empowering experience.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-flying-solo-to-an-international-conference-a-survival-guide/
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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.
--
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