Dementia Researcher Blogs

Lisa Hammond - Back to Research

Lisa Hammond narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Welcome to our first blog from Lisa Hammond, in this post she delves into the transformative work of the Daphne Jackson Trust and the Alzheimer's Society, shedding light on the significance of supporting individuals in returning to careers in dementia research. This inspiring journey explores how these organizations play a pivotal role in empowering individuals who temporarily stepped away from their professional lives to care for loved ones or start families.
Caring for someone with dementia or dedicating time to family responsibilities is a noble and selfless act. However, for those who aspired to contribute to the field of dementia research, these detours often meant putting their own ambitions on hold. Recognizing the immense potential and untapped talent that lay dormant, the Daphne Jackson Trust, has emerged as a beacon of hope for those seeking to reignite their careers in the realm of dementia research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-back-to-research/
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Lisa Hammond is a Research Communications Officers at Alzheimer’s Society. As part her my role, she shares and communicates the pioneering research that Alzheimer's Society are funding. Lisa has a background in neuroscience and fine art which allows helps her to xplain science in an out of the box way. Outside work Lisa is a keen gardener, and she enjoys nature and anything creative.
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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 Gaia Brezzo - The Blot thickens; using Western Blotting in research

Dr Gaia Brezzo narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Are you tired of the witchcraft and frustration of Western Blotting? Learn the basics of this technique and how it can benefit your research in this new blog from Gaia. Find out how to select the right sample, run a successful gel electrophoresis, transfer proteins, and quantify the results. Discover tips and tricks from a researcher who's been there. Don't let Western Blotting intimidate you anymore, read our blog now!"
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-blot-thickens-using-western-blotting-in-research/
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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 Anna Volkmer - Does my patient understand what my research study is about?

Dr Anna Volkmer, narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is a legislation that aims to protect the rights of people who may lack capacity to make decisions. This Act provides guidance to professionals to decide whether someone has decision-making capacity. It also offers practical examples of how to judge if a person can understand, retain, weigh up, and express a decision. The Act also provides guidance to researchers on gaining consent from research participants. However, researchers often find this legislation and code of practice complicated and difficult to follow, which leads to people with communication difficulties being excluded from studies. In this blog Anna goes through the issues and makes suggestions on how to address the issues.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-does-my-patient-understand-what-my-research-study-is-about/
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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.

Dr Clarissa Giebel- Halving Social Care Reform Budget, what it means to dementia

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Recently, the UK Government announced that the originally planned £500m social care reform budget would be halved. That’s means £250m to be invested into a struggling social care sector, specifically the social care workforce. Now, £250m is a lot of money, but how far will that go to helping? Clarissa discusses what comes next.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-halving-social-care-reform-budget-what-it-means-to-dementia/
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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.

Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez - Non-pharmacological interventions: methods matter

Dr Aida Suárez-Gonzalez narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Aida shares valuable tips for researchers who are planning to undertake research on non-pharmacological interventions in dementia. From identifying the right intervention to selecting appropriate outcome measures, and provide practical advice to help you design high-quality studies, that are deliverable and that can have a meaningful impact on the lives of people with dementia. Join us as we explore the unique challenges and opportunities in this exciting area of research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-non-pharmacological-interventions/
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Dr Aida Suarez-Gonzalez is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Senior Research Fellow at the Dementia Research Centre, UCL Institute of Neurology at Queen Square. With many years clinical experience working in Spain, Aida now investigating non-pharmacological interventions, services and assistive technologies to support people living well with dementia.
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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 looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk  

Dr Sam Moxon - The Academic Exodus

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Sam explores the leaky careers pipeline in academia. For many aspiring academics, the path seems clear: get a PhD, publish research, and secure a tenure-track position. However, the reality is far more complex, and many talented scholars find themselves struggling to make ends meet in an increasingly competitive and precarious job market - so they leave. Anecodtally, we're hearing PIs tell us that 3 years ago they might get 50-60 applications for a 4 year postdoc job, and today... they're getting 5-10 (so maybe good for some, but bad for others). In this blog, Sam talks about the challenges facing early-career scholars why people might be leaving, where they're going and what this might mean for the future,
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-academic-exodus/
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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.
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 Kamar Ameen-Ali - What is an ‘Early Career Researcher’?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
One of the most significant and prevailing challenges in academia over the last 10 years or so, has centred around how best to support early career researchers (ECRs) in an evolving landscape which has increasingly shifted towards a reliance on temporary insecure contracts, increasing workloads, and real terms drop in salaries. The criteria for defining who falls under the category of ‘ECR’ varies across institutions and organisations, and this is important if we need to identify where support is needed, and who to provide it to. In this blog Kamar will be asking the question: What is an ECR?
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-what-is-an-early-career-researcher/
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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.

Dr Connor Richardson - Getting Involved in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Leadership

Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Welcome to this blog post about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) leadership. EDI leadership is a crucial aspect of academic life, as it plays a significant role in shaping the culture, values, and practices of an organisation. It's all about creating a workplace environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. Connor recently took up the challenge and has got hands-on in EDI Leadership at Newcastle University and in this blog he talks about the how's and why's and what achievements have already been made - he hopes it might inspire you to do the same.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-getting-involved-in-equality-diversity-and-inclusion-edi-leadership/
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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.

Rebecca Williams - Apathy Research: Why Should We Bother?

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Did you know that Apathy represents an early marker of cognitive decline and brain changes in presymptomatic frontotemporal dementia? Did you also know that Apathy is particularly common in patients with behavioral variant frontal temporal lobe dementia (bvFTD), and is a disabling noncognitive symptom of dementia that has profound consequences for morbidity, mortality, and caregiver burden? In this blog Rebecca explains Apathy, and her research into understanding the condition in dementia.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-apathy-research-why-should-we-bother/
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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
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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.