Dementia Researcher Blogs Dementia Researcher

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.







Rebecca's blog explores how collaboration across scientific disciplines can lead to major breakthroughs in understanding diseases. Her article illuminates the importance of team effort in research, as it can unlock the historical roots of genetic conditions and point towards future therapeutic strategies. By embracing the past and pooling diverse expertise, Rebecca demonstrates how today's MS have been paving the way for new treatments, which could even include the potential of parasites to alleviate neurological conditions.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.







https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-genetic-mystery-solved-the-importance-of-collaboration/
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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.
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Dr Gaia Brezzo narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Drawing on a study published in Current Sociology, Gaia explores how societal gender roles have seeped into academia, leading to women disproportionately shouldering 'academic housework'—non-meritorious tasks like mentoring students and organizing conferences. The study, involving 163 interviews with social science professors in Denmark, categorises responses to academic admin into compliance, evasiveness, barter, and investment, revealing stark gender differences in engagement. Women, more often than not, find themselves in positions of compliance, accepting and performing these tasks far more than their male counterparts who frequently evade them. The implications are significant, affecting women’s research output and career progression within academia.
To gain a deeper understanding of this pervasive issue and its potential solutions, read the full blog or listen to Dr. Brezzo's narration for more insights.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-who-does-the-housework-in-academia/
#DementiaResearch #AcademicHousework #Academia #ResearchCulture
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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.
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Follow us on Social Media:
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Dr Beth Eyre narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Beth reflects on her enriching journey from a PhD student to a postdoctoral researcher, in this heartfelt farewell blog. Beth shares insights from her experiences, the challenges of experimental failures, and the lessons learned in resilience and self-belief. As she prepares for a new role in Boston, USA, specialising in brain clearance and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, she shares her anticipation for future learning and her commitment to supporting upcoming researchers.
This blog shares the essence of her academic and personal growth, emphasising the importance of perseverance and community in scientific discovery.
As we say goodbye, Beth concludes with gratitude to the listeners and readers of her blogs, and shares her excitement for her next adventure in dementia research. Join her as she steps into this new chapter, continuing to contribute passionately to the field.
After a little more than 3 years, and 32 blogs charting the early days of her PhD to finding a great postdoc position, it has been wonderful to work with Beth. We hope you will join us in thanking her for taking us along with her on her PhD journey - post your comments below and leave a review.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-its-not-the-end-its-a-new-beginning/
Find all Beth's blogs on on our website.
 
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Dr Beth Eyre is a Postdoctoral Researcher 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.
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Dr Kamar Ameen-Ali narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.












Kamar helps us discover how Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) can revolutionise laboratory research, leading to breakthroughs that resonate more deeply with the needs of society. Engage in this critical dialogue to elevate the quality and impact of scientific discovery. #PPI #ResearchWithImpact
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.












https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-to-implement-patient-public-involvement-as-a-lab-scientist/
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
In this blog Adam talks about the critical role of listening in effective principal investigator (PI) leadership.  Adam emphasises the necessity for PIs to develop deep listening skills to successfully guide and support their research teams, particularly early career researchers. He argues against the common yet counterproductive reassurance reflex, advocating for a more engaged and empathetic approach to address the real concerns of team members. The blog highlights the benefits of active listening, including fostering trust, enhancing team dynamics, and driving robust scientific outcomes. He finishes with some practical strategies for PIs to improve their listening capabilities, ultimately transforming the dynamics of their teams and nurturing future scientific leaders.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-listening-key-to-effective-pi-leadership/
#PISkills #PrincipalInvestigator #ListeningSkills #LeadershipSkills
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Yvonne offers an unvarnished insight into the life of a Principal Investigator (PI). With a candid perspective drawn from her experience as an ARUK Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Yvonne sheds light on the multifaceted role that goes far beyond research alone. From the relentless need for grant writing to the nuances of publishing papers and managing a laboratory, she explores the challenges and administrative demands that define the PI's journey. Aimed at junior researchers, her narrative is a valuable resource, offering a truthful preview of the dedication and skills required to navigate the academic summit, along with a reassuring reminder of the transferrable skills that are highly regarded beyond the ivory tower of academia.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-what-its-really-like-being-a-pi/
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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.
--
Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher