Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - Using immunohistochemistry to understand disease pathology

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Immunohistochemistry is both an experimental and diagnostic technique which is frequently used in research and clinical pathology laboratories. In this blog Kamar provides an introduction to immunohistochemistry and describes how it is used to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases post-mortem, with examples of how it has been used in her own experimental research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-using-immunohistochemistry-to-understand-disease-pathology/
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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 Clarissa Giebel - International Women’s Day, gender equity in science and celebrating fellow women’s achievements

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Today, 8th of March, it’s International Women’s Day – Dr Clarissa Giebel takes the opportunity to highlight the many things fantastic women have achieved, taking stock where we are at in terms of gender equity (or still mostly inequity), and recognising what we still need to achieve. As a scientist, in an originally male-dominated profession, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate the brilliant achievements of female scientists, including dementia and social care researchers in my field. But what’s more, it’s an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the many female non-academics we as scientists work with.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-gender-equity-in-science-celebrating-womens-achievements/
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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.

Beth Eyre - How to find a Postdoc Job

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
The final year of a PhD is scary for many reasons. All of your hard work is coming to an end, you have to write a very long book and there can be lots of uncertainty about what’s next. For Beth, the ‘what’s next’ was always scary. So many thoughts would constantly run around her head, such as how and when willshe find a job? What if she doesn't... In this blog Beth talks about her approach to finding Postdoc job.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-find-a-postdoc-job/
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Beth Eyre is a PhD Student 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.

Adam Smith - Find the right journal for your research & avoid predators

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
If you're new to research, at some point you will need to publish your work. In this blog Adam Smith talks about how to avoid predatory publishers and provides tips on how to choose the right journal to publish in.
Not sure what predatory publishing is? Well Predatory or deceptive publishing are terms describing publishers or entities that exploit authors by charging publication fees (commonly known as article processing charges) yet don't deliver on their promise of the editorial and publishing services (such as peer review) that are associated with legitimate publishers... but don't just read this, have a listen.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-find-the-right-journal-for-your-research-avoid-predators/
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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.

Dr Yvonne Couch - How Being Seen Might Matter in Science

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Even for Yvonne this one is going to be slightly obscure (her words), full of unnecessary references to books you’ve probably never even heard of and highly opinionated. Today Yvonne talks about reputation in science. Whether it’s possible to build one and how that might affect your career (PS Dementia Researcher could help with that...) - whether thats through your science, publications, the journals you choose... or being a TikTok sensation, which counts? Is it important?
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-being-seen-might-matter-in-science/
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Dr Yvonne Couch is an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow 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.

Hannah Hussain - Vitamins, Food Supplements & Dementia

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Vitamins and supplements are not pharmacological interventions and are not typically provided by the NHS. But this does not mean that they do not have benefits for the user. Hannah Hussain is a PhD Student studying health economics and dementia, however... she is also a fully qualified and jobbing pharmacist. In this blog she talks about vitamins and food suppliments and the roles they play in the brain.
Many vitamins and minerals are essential for our bodies to function, and although most should be acquired through a balanced and healthy diet – supplementing on particular vitamins that a person may be deficient in or have trouble absorbing can be helpful... find out more in this blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-vitamins-food-supplements-dementia/
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Hannah Hussain is a PhD Student in Health Economics at The University of Sheffield. As a proud third generation  migrant and British-Asian, her career path has been linear and ever evolving, originally qualifying as a Pharmacist in Nottingham, then Health Economics in Birmingham. Her studies have opened a world into Psychology, Mental Health and other areas of health, and with that and personal influences she found her passion for 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  

Anna Marie Rosická - 5 things I wish I knew before starting my PhD

Anna Marie Rosická narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
The past 18 months have been adventurous for Anna Marie. From moving to a different country on her own, through the infamous “I-have-no-idea-what-I-am–doing” phase, to gradually becoming settled in her new researcher life with all its perks and peculiarities. Yes, you read that right – it has been something over a year since she started her research PhD.
Anna Marie, like most who started a PhD knew it would be a learning experience. But there are also quite a few tricks of the trade she wishes someone had mentioned before she had started, to avoid learning the hard way! In this blog Anna Marie provides a list of such learnings. hopefully they will be helpful to someone else out there – whether you are just starting your own PhD journey or just need to feel less alone with the PhD storms you have already weathered!
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-starting-my-phd/
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Anna Marie Rosická is a PhD Student at Trinity College Dublin. Anna received a master’s degree in psychology from the Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, and gained industry experience working as a user experience researcher in IT. Now she studies the effects of ageing and modifiable risk factors on brain health, using gamified cognitive assessments and large-scale data from the smartphone app Neureka.
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@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 Navigate a Job Switch

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Sam started a new job this month. A new job that meant he left a place he had been at for 6 years, moved to a new city and ventured out into a totally new workplace. It’s quite a lot of change all at once but but did a great job of navigating it. With the challenge of short-term contracts, its easy to become desensitised to moving house in academia. You basically do it every year! But it got Sam thinking job changes and how best to navigate them. It can be quite a stressful experience and he talks about how you can make transition easier. So without further delay… here are Sam's top 5 tips for navigating a job switch:
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-navigate-a-job-switch/
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Dr Sam Moxon is a biomaterials scientist at the University of Manchester. 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@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 - To cross or not to cross the picket line: striking as an ECR.

Dr Gaia Brezzo narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Good researchers evaluate data from every angle. They explore cause and effect and untangle the tricky web that interconnects everyday phenomena. So it is easy to understand why Gaia has found it difficult to decide where she stands when it comes to the decision around if she should or shouldn't participate in the industrial action voted on by University & College Union members in a dispute with Universities over pensions, pay and conditions. In this blog Gaia sets out the issues and shares her thoughts on the challenges, the points of dispute and how to respond. 
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-to-cross-or-not-to-cross-the-picket-line-striking-as-an-ecr/
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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.