Dementia Researcher Blogs Dementia Researcher

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.




Clíona shares her personal journey of writing a PhD thesis, offering invaluable tips and strategies to make the process more manageable and enjoyable. She emphasises the importance of meticulous planning, from setting clear timelines and choosing examiners to structuring the thesis and selecting conducive writing environments. Cliona candidly discusses the challenges she faced (but you will notice she is Dr, so it worked), including managing time effectively and maintaining a work-life balance, while encouraging readers to celebrate small milestones and prioritize self-care. Her practical advice aims to demystify the thesis-writing process, making it less daunting for PhD students.
 




Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-tackling-the-phd-thesis-through-planning/
#DementiaResearch #ThesisWriting #PhDStudent #PhDTips #PhDHelp
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Dr Clíona Farrell is a Postdoctoral Researcher 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. @ClionaFarrell_
 
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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.
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Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In her blog, Emily talks about the challenges she faces transitioning back to work after maternity leave.Candidly discussing the difficulties of finding suitable accommodation in London's demanding rental market and the reality of securing childcare while managing a limited budget. Despite these challenges, Emily remains optimistic about her ability to balance work and family life effectively, thanks to the flexible nature of her PhD program. Her narrative not only highlights the logistical hurdles but also reflects on the emotional and strategic planning required for such a significant life change.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-life-after-maternity-leave-planning-a-return-to-work/
#DementiaResearch #AcademicMother #Academia #MaternityLeave #Research
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Emily Spencer is a PhD Student at University College London looking at improving how GPs communicate with people with dementia and their family carers about their future care. Emily previous had a 5 year career break to pursue a career as a musician, and has previously undertaken research on improving the care people with dementia receive from their GP practice, as well as end-of-life and palliative care provision in the community. Emily is also a new mum and will be writing about her experiences navigating motherhood and a research career.
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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.
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Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In her blog, Yvonne explores the dynamics of supervising PhD students, comparing different supervision styles to parenting methods. She describes a spectrum ranging from 'Drone' supervision, where advisors micromanage every detail, to 'Free-range' supervision, which allows students considerable independence. Yvonne advocates for a balanced approach, warning against the extremes of over-involvement or neglect. She emphasises the importance of adapting supervision style to the individual needs of students to foster resilience, adaptability, and genuine learning, ultimately aiming for what she terms 'Lighthouse' supervision—guiding without over-directing.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-supervising-phd-students-blog/
#PhDSupervisor #PhDLife #PI #PrincipleInvestigator #Teacher
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Dr Yvonne Couch is an Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow and Associate Professor 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.
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.












Kamar's blog explores the critical issue of the lack of diversity in academia, particularly within STEM fields, and the role of role models in addressing these disparities. Highlighting the specific challenges faced by women and racial/ethnic minorities, she discusses the importance of role models who reflect diverse demographic characteristics to inspire and guide underrepresented groups.
Kamar argues that having role models in senior academic positions can help challenge the status quo and break the cycle of underrepresentation, thus fostering a more inclusive and diverse academic environment. Her insights underscore the significant impact that relatable role models can have on the career trajectories of individuals in academia, especially in fields like dementia research where women are disproportionately affected yet underrepresented in senior roles.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.












https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-what-type-of-role-models-do-we-need-in-academia/
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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.
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Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
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Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Sam discusses the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing dementia research. He highlights AI's capability to rapidly analyse vast datasets, which is crucial given the pressing time constraints in dementia research, where every three seconds someone develops dementia. The blog details how machine learning algorithms can efficiently identify potential new therapeutic targets by analysing proteomic data from dementia patients. This leads Sam to exploring the potential for AI in assessing the potential of repurposing existing drugs for new therapeutic uses, which could expedite clinical trials and approval processes. Sam emphasises the ethical considerations essential in employing AI, particularly in handling sensitive health data, ensuring patient confidentiality, and maintaining informed consent. Could AI unlock the key to new treatments?
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-enhancing-dementia-drug-discovery-with-ai/
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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.
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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 the NIHR, Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer's Society and Race Against Dementia, who we thank for their ongoing support.
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Follow us on Social Media:
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Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website.
Jodi discusses the environmental impact of academic practices, particularly focusing on the carbon footprint associated with conference travel and the publishing industry's dual role in environmental science and unsustainable practices. Jodi reflects on personal experiences and dilemmas as an early career researcher, weighing the benefits of international collaboration against its environmental costs. Cutting to the chase... Jodi calls for a collective push towards more sustainable practices within academia, suggesting that while individual actions might seem limited in scope, they are part of a broader movement necessary for significant change.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-should-i-consider-my-environmental-impact-in-academia/
#Environment
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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.
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
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