Dementia Researcher Blogs

Beth Eyre - How to get the most out of your PhD experience

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
By the time this blog is published, Beth will have finished all of her PhD experiments. That’s right, no more countless hours in a dark room. But as she gets closer to the end, Beth is beginning to think about all the opportunities she has been able to seize. So, in this blog to she share with you all some potential opportunities that are available to PhD students that may help you get the most out of your PhD.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-phd-experience/
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 to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk
Don't forget to also listen to our fortnightly - published fortnightly, just look for Dementia Researcher in your podcast app.
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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 we are delighted to have her contributing as a regular blogger with Dementia Researcher, sharing her work and discussing her career. 
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This podcast is brought to you from University College London in association with the National Institute for Health Research, Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support. Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk  

Nathan Stephens - What is Value? A Concept Analysis

Nathan Stephens narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Have you ever been questioned by a supervisor, colleague, or member of the public about what a certain term actually means? For Nathan Stephens, this word was value.
Value quickly became the focal word that the PhD research questions, aims, and methodology grew from. ‘Social Value’ is the primary concept of value that will be used in his PhD. However, it was assumed that being able to conceptualise value in the context of the research more specifically will improve the quality of his thesis. In hindsight, an incredibly optimistic piece of work, Nathan admits that he isn't sure why he thought he could do any better than the likes of Aristotle and Smith. But anyway, he had a crack.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-what-is-value-a-concept-analysis/
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Nathan Stephens is a PhD Student and unpaid carer, working on his PhD at University of Worcester, studying the Worcestershire Meeting Centres Community Support Programme. Inspired by caring for both grandparents and personal experience of dementia, Nathan has gone from a BSc in Sports & Physical Education, an MSc in Public Health, and now working on his PhD.
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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 Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.

Masha Burelo - Cannabinoids for better sleep?

Masha Burelo narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Just like drinking coffee to feel awake, many substances can affect the dynamics of our circadian cycle. Cannabinoids are assumed to enhance sleep due to the somnolence caused by certain doses, but can they improve sleep? Masha explores in her latest blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-cannabinoids-for-better-sleep/
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Masha Burelo is a PhD Student at the University of Aberdeen. Her research explores Electrophysiology and behavioural evaluation in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease. Masha started her studies in veterinary medicine in Mexico and first became interested in cannabinoids when her dog developed epilepsy, then with close family members struck by Alzheimer's Disease her interest in neuroscience, plants and the brain developed.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Clíona Farrell - Dementia in Down syndrome and the role of neuroinflammation

Clíona Farrell narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Down syndrome is caused by having a third copy of chromosome 21, and each year on the 21st of March (the 21st day of the third month) World Down syndrome Day is celebrated worldwide. People with Down syndrome are particularly susceptible to COVID-19, so this year the Down syndrome research community came together online. With participants from research studies, their families and friends, they discussed current research advances, offered advice from specialists and celebrated Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of Alzheimer’s disease, however, few researchers study dementia in this context. Here, Clíona highlights her research in this field and explains the importance of the inclusion of people with Down syndrome in Alzheimer’s research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-dementia-in-down-syndrome-and-the-role-of-neuroinflammation/
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Clíona Farrell is a PhD Student 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..
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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 Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support.
Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk  

Hannah Hussain - Can fasting help prevent dementia?

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
As we’re in the middle of the holy month of Ramadhan, this got Hannah to thinking... was there a deeper, scientific reason behind fasting. Perhaps a reason that could not be explained at the time. Whether you are Muslim or not, the benefits of intermittent fasting are evident through new and ongoing research. Some of the most renowned doctors promote fasting, all with a slightly different lens based on their area of interest. For example, Dr Ethan Weiss discusses the advantages to cardiological health and weight loss. Dr Rahul Jandial discusses the benefits in terms of increasing your brain’s natural growth factors and improving cognition. Dr Jason Fung is the world leading expert on intermittent fasting and low-carb diets, he discusses a broad range of advantages to this practice from regulating hormone levels to cellular repair. So, we know there are so many benefits – but does fasting impact dementia onset? And if so… how? Hannah explores in this blog.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-can-fasting-help-prevent-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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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 Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, 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 Anna Volkmer - Aphasia, public awareness

Dr Anna Volkmer, narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
As a researcher and a clinician, it is part of Anna's mission (so to speak) to spread awareness of some of the lesser known aspects of dementia. In her case it is the language difficulties, known as ‘aphasia’, and speech difficulties, known as ‘apraxia’ or ‘dysarthria’. Having this kind of impact is slow work. But earlier this month, following a terribly sad announcement from Bruce Willis’ family, public awareness has been dramatically altered. In this blog Anna provides some insights for those looking to learn more.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-aphasia-public-awareness/
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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).
If you would like to write for us, or join out team of regular contributors, drop us a line - dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk

Dr Yvonne Couch - How to Present your Research

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
This time Yvonne goes through the ins and outs of a good scientific presentation. What to do and what not to do. Yvonne asks that you bear in mind that she not an expert presenter. Excitable yes, expert no. But I she does know what doesn’t work and that’s important. Yvonne goes through the rough outline you might take in your presentation and talk through what you need to consider for each part, then we’re going to lay down some rules, then she is going to to let you loose to inspire the world (and not bore your colleagues).
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-how-to-present-your-work/
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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 has joined the team of staff bloggers at Dementia Researcher, and will be writing about her work and life as she takes a new road into independent research.
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Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line. http://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk

Dr Sam Moxon - How to Nail Your Conference Abstract

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
What’s that you say? An IN PERSON conference? Sign me up!!!
You may have noticed in recent months that more and more conferences are promising an in person experience this year. For Sam, this is extremely exciting. He loves conferences and has really missed seeing his friends, colleagues and collaborators (people can be all three!). There is no better place to make new connections, see some exciting new data and let your hair down than a conference. Some our closest collaborators are people we meet in the pub after the end of that day’s sessions (Top Tip: Always take the opportunity to go to one.) First, however, you need to submit your conference abstract. In most cases, your institute will only send you to a conference (they have to pay remember) if you are going to present something. That means you have to prepare and submit an abstract. So how do you do that? In this month’s blog, Sam gives you the best tips to write the perfect abstract.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-do-we-need-to-peer-review-the-process-of-peer-review/
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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

Beth Eyre - Networking: what is it and how do you approach it as a PhD student?

Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
When Beth first began her PhD, she heard the word ‘networking’ all the time, it was thrown about in all of my introductory sessions and training reports but she actually had no idea what it really was, or most importantly what it entailed. So, in this blog Beth writes about some of the things she has learned about networking and some things that may help you network during your own PhD.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-networking-what-is-it-and-how-do-you-approach-it-as-a-phd-student/
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 to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk
Don't forget to also listen to our fortnightly - published fortnightly, just look for Dementia Researcher in your podcast app.
--
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 we are delighted to have her contributing as a regular blogger with Dementia Researcher, sharing her work and discussing her career. 
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This podcast is brought to you from University College London in association with the National Institute for Health Research, Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support. Enjoy listening? We're always looking for new bloggers, drop us a line dementiaresearcher@ucl.ac.uk