Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Jodi Watt - The Naked Truth About My Academic Confidence

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog Jodi Dr Jodi Watt explores their journey to overcome academic insecurities. Often speaking quickly during presentations due to nerves, they find an unconventional confidence booster: life modelling. They suggest that the key to academic confidence may lie outside the academic realm, challenging the traditional notion that it can be built solely through professional strategies.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-naked-truth-about-my-academic-confidence/
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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.

Dr Yvonne Couch - The Role of Luck in Academic Success

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Yvonne explores the underestimated influence of luck in academia. Drawing from personal experiences and some seldom mentioned literature, she contends that factors beyond our control often play a pivotal role in shaping academic trajectories. Through anecdotes and empirical evidence, Yvonne reassures us that even when hard work and talent seem insufficient, external elements like luck, often labelled as 'serendipity,' are at play. The blog serves as a comforting reassurance (or a reminder that you're not a lucky person) that success is a complex interplay of skill, preparation, and, yes, a bit of fortune.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-role-of-luck-in-academic-success/
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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.

Ajantha Abey - World Alzheimer’s Day 2023: A new era of optimism

Ajantha Abey narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Ajantha discusses a renewed sense of optimism in Alzheimer's research, marked by the FDA approval of three new drugs in the last three years. These drugs represent a paradigm shift as they aim to modify the disease itself rather than just alleviate symptoms. Alongside these therapeutic advances, the field is benefiting from an expanded understanding of disease mechanisms and increasing industry investment, signalling meaningful progress and hope for future breakthroughs. Let's raise awarness for World Alzheimer's Day 2023.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-world-alzheimers-day-2023-a-new-era-of-optimism/
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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 Sam Moxon - Be Your Own Benchmark: Measuring Your Career Journey

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In his blog, Sam explores the common pitfalls of imposter syndrome and the Dunning-Kruger effect in the academic and research fields. He shares his personal experience, transitioning from a successful PhD to a slower-paced postdoctoral project, highlighting the dangers of comparing oneself to others in similar career stages. His key message is to focus on personal growth and self-set benchmarks rather than external standards. By doing so, one nurtures self-compassion and motivation, leading to a more positive and sustainable career trajectory.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-be-your-own-benchmark-measuring-your-career-journey/
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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.

Dr Beth Eyre - Demystifying the PhD – what actually is a PhD and what should I expect

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Beth provides an essential guide for anyone considering embarking on a doctoral journey. As she approaches the culmination of her own PhD, Beth breaks down the often perplexing aspects of a PhD, from its basic definition to the stages involved and even how to secure funding. Offering a detailed account of what to expect in each year of the programme and the roles one will play, the blog addresses common uncertainties. By elaborating on the application process, different types of PhDs like Doctoral Training Programmes (DTPs), and the unique challenges and opportunities posed by the independent nature of the research, This blog is a prospective roadmap to a fulfilling doctoral experience.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-demystifying-the-phd/
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Dr (pending minor amendments) 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.

Dr Gaia Brezzo - Beyond the manuscript: disentangling academic authorship

Dr Gaia Brezzo narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Gaia shares what she has learned to help manage the complexities of academic authorship, highlighting its importance for both early career researchers and principal investigators. She outlines the roles of first, last, and co-authors, and advises on handling the often grey areas in contribution recognition.
Emphasising the need for open communication, Gaia provides tips for avoiding disputes and stresses the importance of trust and equitable recognition in academic collaborations.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-beyond-the-manuscript-disentangling-academic-authorship/
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Dr Gaia Brezzo is a Research Fellow based within the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh. Gaia's research focuses on understanding how immune alterations triggered by stroke shape chronic maladaptive neuroimmune responses that lead to post-stroke cognitive decline and vascular dementia. Raised in Italy, Gaia came to the UK to complete her undergraduate degree, and thankfully, stuck around. Gaia writes about her work and career challenges, when not biking her way up and down hills in Edinburgh. Follow Gaia on Twitter: @Gaia_Brezzo
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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 Connor Richardson - Population Studies, Examples of how they are helping

Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Connor is back with part two of his blogs discussing population research. In this post Connor highlights key findings from the UK-based Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS). He reports a surprising decrease in dementia prevalence among individuals aged 65 and above, especially attributing the decline to better cardiovascular health in men. Connor also touches on the complexities of diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment and delves into the varied neuropathologies associated with dementia, underlining the value of population studies for a holistic understanding of the condition.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-population-studies-examples-of-how-they-are-helping/
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Dr Connor Richardson is a Neuro-epidemiology Research Associate (soon to be NIHR Research Fellow) in the Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute. Connor is the research statistician for the Cognitive Function and Ageing studies (CFAS) multi-centre population cohort. His research interest lies in using advanced statistical modelling and machine learning to measure dementia risk. Connor blogs about his research, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and sometimes his Pomapoo’s.
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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 Vitor Zimmerer - Sharing Time and Brain Space

Dr Vitor Zimmerer, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Vitor reflects on how parenthood affects his career in UK academia. He shares his deep love for his two sons while acknowledging the challenges of balancing parenthood with the demanding nature of academic research. Vitor discusses the pressure to maximise work hours and adapt to structured time management. He also highlights the additional complexities of parenting a child with special needs and comments on the conflicting aspects of the UK as a place to raise a family. Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful for societal improvements and dedicates this blog to his children and friends, emphasising the love that motivates him to navigate this balance between family and academia.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-sharing-time-and-brain-space/
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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 Kamar Ameen-Ali - Barriers to Innovation and what this means for dementia research

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Explore a realm of scientific innovation and the challenges it faces. In this blog Kamar delves into scientists' resistance to new methods in dementia research, dissecting funding biases and cultural inertia that hinder progress. Discover the push for an open-minded approach to revolutionise scientific exploration and advance dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-barriers-to-innovation-what-it-means-for-dementia-research/
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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.