Dementia Researcher Blogs

Masha Burelo - Pesticides in Cannabis

Masha Burelo narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Masha Burelo, PhD Student from University of Aberdeen is back with her third blog in the 'from the plant to the lab series'. Masha is now focussed on dementia research, but her pervious work on cannabinoids, is shared through this series and today she writes about some of the risks... Nowadays, the main source of cannabinoids worldwide is cannabis plants, but we forget that cannabis is a crop that undergoes regular management to improve its growth, development, and yield. Many users only get to see the pharmaceutical products, extracts, edibles, or final buds, but have you ever thought about the chemicals used for growing cannabis or to control its pests? And, since we know the main consumption of cannabis is through smoking, could it be transferred into the smoke?
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-pesticides-in-cannabis/
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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

Dr Sam Moxon - Do we need to peer review the process of peer review?

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Sam has previously shared his challenges of living with ulcerative pancolitis, sadly this recently landed him in hospital as an inpatient, and in this blog he shares experiences from his stay - we are sure you join us in wishing him a speedy recovery.
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

Dr Anna Volkmer - The making of the clinical academic…the façade is slipping

Dr Anna Volkmer, narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Anna questions how you sustain the Academic element of being a 'Clinical Academic', and how many hours per week justtifies keepin the title? And is it possible to be a commited academic whilst also being a dedicated clinician?
A solid bout of imposter syndrome coming through whilst waiting on Fellowship application decisions...
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-the-making-of-the-clinical-academicthe-facade-is-slipping/
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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

Meet Dr Emmanuelle Vire, University College London

Last week we attended the Alzheimer's Research UK Conference in Brighton. We took time out from the programme to talk with early career dementia researchers to ask them about their work, the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them, and to share a highlight from the conference.
In this short interview we talk with Dr Emmanuelle Vire, Associate Professor in the University College London Institute of Prion Diseases. Emmanuelle explores if epigenetics is a hallmark of protein-based inheritance in neurodegeneration. Our research specifically investigates epigenetic mechanisms in human prion diseases. Emmanuelle and her colleagues employ a large array of technologies (transcriptomics, epigenomics, cell-based assays, animal models, patients samples) to determine if, where, when and how epigenetics contribute to disease susceptibility, onset, and progression. Using next-generation technologies we profile DNA, RNA, and histone modifications and identify disease-specific gene (coding and non-coding) signatures and pathways. Some their current projects also involve machine learning, nanopore sequencing, small molecule inhibitor and genome editing.Find out more about Emmanuelle and her work on our website:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/profile-dr-emmanuelle-vire-university-college-london/
If you would like to join us and add your profile and short interview to our researchers profile, drop us a line to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk 

Meet Dr Soraya Meftah, The University of Edinburgh

Last week we attended the Alzheimer's Research UK Conference in Brighton. We took time out from the programme to talk with early career dementia researchers to ask them about their work, the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them, and to share a highlight from the conference.
In this short interview we talk with Dr Soraya Meftah, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh. Soraya works in Neurophysiology of dementia (synaptic, neuronal, network dysfunction).
Find out more about Soraya and her work on our website:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/profile-dr-soraya-meftah-the-university-of-edinburgh/
If you would like to join us and add your profile and short interview to our researchers profile, drop us a line to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk 

Meet Beth Eyre, University of Sheffield

Last week we attended the Alzheimer's Research UK Conference in Brighton. We took time out from the programme to talk with early career dementia researchers to ask them about their work, the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them, and to share a highlight from the conference.
In this short interview we talk with Beth Eyre, PhD Student at University of Sheffield. Beth is researching Neurovascular and cognitive function in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s disease. With 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 catch up with her and for her ongoing contributions as a regular blogger with Dementia Researcher, sharing her work and discussing her career. 
Find out more about Beth and her work on our website:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/profile-beth-eyre/
If you would like to join us and add your profile and short interview to our researchers profile, drop us a line to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk 

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali - What is “brain health” and is it important?

Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
With populations getting older, age-associated disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are projected to place significant demands on global health systems over the coming years. There is therefore an increasing need to understand how to improve and preserve our brain health, but how can we do this when no consensus definition exists of what brain health actually is and what it looks like? In this blog Kamar discusses the challenge of trying to understand brain health, and why it is important.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-what-is-brain-health-and-is-it-important/
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali is a Research Associate at University of Glasgow, 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. Kamar brings a wealth of experience and writes on a range of topics from her time in the NHS, working for a Research Funder and from her work and life in the lab.
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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.

Nathan Stephens - Am I doing PPI or Was that PPI?

Nathan Stephens narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Nathan discusses Patient and Public Involvement, unpacking what that actually means in respect of other similar concepts such as participation and engagement, how PPI can be done throughout the research process, and drawing on my experiences of intentionally and unintentionally doing involvement activities. If you are just starting out with you studies this could be helpful to support PPI elements in your research proposal and ethics, or if your research is underway like Nathan's, it may just be useful to validate your activities and situate them in the research process.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/guest-blog-am-i-doing-ppi-or-was-that-ppi/
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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.

Meet Dr Mizuki Morisaki, University of St Andrews

Last week we attended the Alzheimer's Research UK Conference in Brighton. We took time out from the programme to talk with early career dementia researchers to ask them about their work, the challenges they have faced and how they overcame them, and to share a highlight from the conference.
In this short interview we talk with Dr Mizuki Morisaki, Research Fellow at University of St Andrews (starting at University of Bristol soon). Mizuki recently finished her PhD focused on how “stress” affects ageing in the brain particularly in the hippocampus using in vitro/in vivo models. Mizuki worked with neurons on the dish as well as birds flying in the aviary! Now her research is more focusing on the in vitro model using neurons as well as microglia, and soon she will be getting hands on with human brain tissue in Bristol.
Find out more about Mizuki and her work on our website:
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/profile-dr-mizuki-morisaki-university-of-st-andrews/
If you would like to join us and add your profile and short interview to our researchers profile, drop us a line to dementiaresearcher@nihr.ac.uk