Dementia Researcher Blogs Dementia Researcher

Dr Sam Moxon, narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.




In this blog, Sam explores the potential link between diet and Motor Neuron Disease (MND). With only 10% of MND cases being genetically inherited, Sam investigates the role of environmental factors, particularly diet, in the development and management of MND. He examines various diets, including carnivore, ketogenic, paleo, Mediterranean, and vegan, evaluating their potential benefits and drawbacks. While some diets show promise in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, the evidence remains inconclusive. Sam emphasises the need for further research to understand the impact of diet on MND and to develop personalised nutritional strategies for people at risk and those living with the disease.
 




Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-diet-and-motor-neuron-disease-is-there-anything-here/
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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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Dr Hannah Smith narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.








In her first blog for Dementia Researcher, Hannah provides a detailed account of her experience as the first Early Career Researcher (ECR) on MND Scotland’s Scientific Advisory Panel. She emphasises the immense value this role has brought to her career development and the benefits it offers to both the research community and those affected by motor neuron disease. Hannah discusses the challenges ECRs face in transitioning to independent research roles and highlights how observing the grant review process has enhanced her grant-writing skills. She advocates for other funding bodies to include ECRs in their panels, noting the unique perspectives and technical insights they bring to the table.





 



Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-grant-review-process-perspective-of-an-ecr/
#MND
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Dr Hannah Smith is a committed science communicator, ECR rep on MND Scotland’s grant reviewing Scientific Advisory Panel and Postdoctoral Research Fellow working on Motor Neuron Disease (MND) at The University of Edinburgh. Hannah's current work is bioinformatics-focused, generating and analysing the transcriptome and translatome in the motor neurons at pre- and early symptomatic stages. She hopes to  find new insights into the earliest cellular dysfunction of ALS/MND, focused around changes to the protein translation. 
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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 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:
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Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Connor narrates his journey in his blog "Academic Promotions: A Tale of Two Tries." He discusses the challenges and emotional rollercoaster of applying for an academic promotion, detailing his unsuccessful first attempt and the lessons he learned from it. Connor reflects on the daunting application process, the feelings of imposter syndrome, and the eventual disappointment. However, he also highlights the growth and new perspectives gained, including a more realistic view of his career and the importance of self-worth. His story is a candid and insightful read for anyone navigating the complexities of academic promotions.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-academic-promotions-a-tale-of-two-tries/
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Dr Connor Richardson is a Neuro-epidemiology Research Associate (soon to be NIHR Research Fellow) in the Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute. Connor is the research statistician for the Cognitive Function and Ageing studies (CFAS) multi-centre population cohort. His research interest lies in using advanced statistical modelling and machine learning to measure dementia risk. Connor blogs about his research, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and sometimes his Pomapoo’s.
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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:
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Ajantha Abey narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.




In his guest blog, Ajantha, a PhD student at the University of Oxford, explores the transformative potential of AI in dementia research at the basic science level. He discusses how AI can enhance literature searches, improve conference collaborations, and analyse large datasets, thereby accelerating discoveries and innovations in the field. By utilising AI, researchers can navigate the overwhelming amount of scientific literature, find relevant collaborations, and efficiently analyse complex data, ultimately leading to more targeted and effective research outcomes. Ajantha also addresses the challenges and risks associated with AI, emphasising the need for responsible and ethical implementation to maximise its benefits in dementia research.
 




Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-transformative-potential-of-ai/
#AI #BasicScience #DementiaResearch
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Ajantha Abey is a PhD student in the Kavli Institute at University of Oxford. He is interested in the cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other diseases of the ageing brain. Previously, having previoulsy explored neuropathology in dogs with dementia and potential stem cell replacement therapies. He now uses induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons to try and model selective neuronal vulnerability: the phenomenon where some cells die but others remain resilient to neurodegenerative diseases.
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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 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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Dr Yvonne Couch, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
This time Yvonne discusses waste in academic research and sheds light on the systemic inefficiencies plaguing the academic world, where valuable resources, time, and expertise are often squandered. She highlights the prevalence of unused, expensive equipment gathering dust, the precarious nature of short-term research contracts, and the vast amounts of lab space lying idle. Yvonne calls for a rethink of how academic institutions allocate funds, manage space, and support researchers to reduce waste and improve the overall productivity and impact of scientific research. Her personal anecdotes and insightful observations make a compelling case for urgent reforms in academia.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-waste-in-academic-research/
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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/
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher

Yasmin Bonsu, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.







Yasmin, a Neuroscience student at The University of Manchester, discusses the invaluable benefits of completing a placement year. She explains how such experiences bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, enhancing scientific skills and confidence. Yasmin shares her journey of securing a placement, highlighting the challenges of rejection and the ultimate rewards of perseverance. She emphasises that a placement year not only makes students more attractive to employers but also helps them clarify their career goals. Ultimately, she encourages students to gain practical experience to better understand their post-university aspirations.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.







https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-benefits-of-completing-a-placement-year/
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Yasmin Bonsu is an an undergraduate student from the University of Manchester currently undertaking a placement year at Wade-Martins Lab at Oxford University. Yasmin is investigating the activity of proteoforms of the granin family in cortical neurons insulted with oligomerised amyloid beta. Her goal is to finish her placement year, earn her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, and then pursue a PhD in clinical neuroscience. Through Yasmin's blogs we'll gain insights on life as an undergraduate, and hopefully inspire others to pursue a career in dementia research. @yasminnnx2
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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