Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Clarissa Giebel - Learning about dementia care in India

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Clarissa's July travels proved rewarding, from presenting dementia care inequalities at the IPA Congress to establishing collaborations in India. Exploring NIMHANS' dementia care in Bangalore gave her insights impossible to glean from articles. Engaging with clinicians highlighted challenges including stigma and financial barriers. Her in-person talk sparked crucial discussions, contrasting the depth of personal interaction with virtual methods. Observing the city's markets and elderly population further enriched her perspective. This journey emphasised the value of in-person experiences for profound research insights and learning.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-learning-about-dementia-care-in-india/
--
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.
--
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 Beth Eyre - Cracking the Viva: Preparing for PhD Success

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog, Beth recounts her recent accomplishment of successfully defending her PhD thesis and passing the viva, detailing the unique UK viva process. Amidst the exhilaration, Beth shares valuable insights on preparing for this pivotal assessment. Anchored in a positive mindset, I emphasise viewing the viva as a platform to engage with experts and showcase one's growth. Practical strategies include thorough thesis review through multiple readings, crafting concise chapter summaries for quick reference, simulating an authentic mock viva, and embracing one's role as the foremost authority on the research. With these techniques, Beth offers encouragement and guidance to fellow scholars bracing for their own viva journey.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-cracking-the-viva-preparing-for-phd-success/
--
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.
--
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 Jodi Watt - I didn’t know who I was after my PhD (and maybe I still don’t..)

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website.
Jodi is a "dabbler" (their words) who explores various aspects of life and identity. In this blog Jodi discusses the toll of a PhD and academic expectations on life, mental health and personal growth. They reflect on the pervasive pressure to continuously grind, impacting not only the themselves but also others in academia. Jodie talks about their work to challenge and change these norms and how an ongoing pursuit of self-discovery through a diverse range of interests and activities is making a difference, and could for you too.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-i-didnt-know-who-i-was-after-my-phd/
--
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.
--
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 Gaia Brezzo - Navigating Collaborative Science

Dr Gaia Brezzo narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Exploring the domain of collaborative science, this blog delves into the progression of research dynamics from individual efforts to team collaborations. It emphasises the vital role of interpersonal relationships within laboratories and the significance of harmonising with a supportive lab environment. Gaia provides practical insights, spanning the evaluation of principal investigators to conflict resolution, the cultivation of transparent communication, and the nurturing of mentorship connections.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-navigating-collaborative-science/
--
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
--
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 - Improving clinician-academic partnerships to advance dementia research

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Discover the path to groundbreaking dementia research in the latest blog from Kamar Ameen-Ali. Kam delves into the crucial role clinicians play in driving clinical research forward. Unveiling the challenges and opportunities of collaboration, Kam draws from firsthand experiences, showcasing how effective partnerships between clinicians and academics can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Through insightful anecdotes and practical insights, this blog unlocks the potential for transformative progress in dementia research, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to unlock breakthroughs that could change lives. 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-improving-clinician-academic-partnerships/
--
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.
--
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 - Why You Should Teach Alongside Your Research (Especially As A PhD Student)

Ajantha Abey narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In the realm of academia, teaching is often viewed as a hindrance to research, a time-consuming chore that distracts from crucial experimental work. However, Ajantha Abey passionately argues that teaching can be a source of wonder and enrichment for aspiring researchers, especially PhD students. By sharing his own experiences as a postgraduate student, he demonstrates how teaching not only fosters better communication and understanding but also serves as a catalyst for new research ideas. Ajantha unveils the transformative power of guiding and inspiring the next generation of scientists, proving that teaching, far from being a burden, is a fulfilling and essential part of the scientific journey.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-why-you-should-teach-alongside-your-research/
--
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.
--
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 Connor Richardson - Population Studies, What we have learned and why we need them

Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Connor discusses the significance of population-based epidemiology in dementia research. While often overlooked, population studies play a crucial role in understanding the distribution of cognitive function, estimating dementia prevalence and incidence, and identifying risk factors. The blog highlights the benefits of population-based study design, such as achieving accurate and unbiased estimations and gaining insights into the causes and prevention of dementia. Moreover, it emphasises the importance of studying diverse ageing populations over time and in different regions to contextualise dementia research and develop effective strategies to support older individuals in various settings.
This is part one and Connor promises to delve deeper into specific population studies, key findings, and quantitative research techniques in subsequent blogs while acknowledging the influence of Professors Fiona Matthews and Carol Brayne on his writing.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-population-studies-what-we-have-learned-and-why-we-need-them/
--
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.
--
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 Sam Moxon - How to Build your Academic Network

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Sam emphasises the cornerstone role of collaboration in dementia research and provides practical tips and strategies to foster effective partnerships. Dementia profoundly affects millions worldwide, demanding a holistic approach to explore its complexities. By collaborating across disciplines like neuroscience, psychology, genetics, and public health, researchers can access diverse expertise and larger datasets, leading to more impactful findings. Sam stresses the value of recognising collaboration as more than convenience, as it integrates varied perspectives, sparks innovation, and bridges gaps in understanding. Attending conferences and workshops facilitates networking and idea sharing, while clear communication channels, a collaborative culture, and seeking funding sustain and drive dementia research advancements. Disseminating findings widely ensures broader accessibility and creates tangible benefits for those living with dementia. 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-build-your-academic-network/
--
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.

Rebecca Williams - Science Communication, Reaching Out of the Bubble

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this blog Rebecca shares her personal journey from a small town in the North of England to Oxford University, reflecting on the doubts and fears that almost prevented her from applying. With a strong belief in the power of science communication, she emphasises the importance of outreach, especially to underrepresented communities, and encourages academics to take action in inspiring students to pursue higher education. Rebecca's story serves as a call to break barriers and make a difference by reaching out to students and empowering them to believe in their potential, something she has recently been supporting when she returned to school to share her journey and talk science.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-science-communication-reaching-out-of-the-bubble/
--
Rebecca Williams is PhD student at the University of Cambridge. Though originally from ‘up North’ in a small town called Leigh, she did her undergraduate and masters at the University of Oxford before defecting to Cambridge for her doctorate researching Frontotemporal dementia and Apathy. She now spends her days collecting data from wonderful volunteers, and coding. Outside work, she plays board games, and is very crafty. @beccasue99
--
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.