Dementia Researcher Blogs

Dr Sam Moxon , narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog, Sam explores the concept of cognitive reserve, which acts as a protective "hidden fortress" against dementia. Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to adapt and remain resilient in the face of damage or aging, allowing some individuals to maintain cognitive function despite significant brain pathology. The de...

Adam Smith narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In this blog Adam draws parallels between the rigorous training and holistic approach of Olympians and the demands of dementia research. It explores how adopting strategies such as performance coaching, physical fitness, mental resilience, and balanced well-being can significantly enhance the productivity and success of researchers. By...

Dr Yvonne Couch , narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Yvonne shares her experiences with resilience in academia, addressing the challenges of giving talks and dealing with grant rejections. She highlights the importance of recognising when resilience is beneficial versus when it becomes toxic positivity. By reflecting on her own journey and the pressures faced by junior...

Yasmin Bonsu , narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Yasmin reflects on her transformative year in an Oxford Lab. She shares her experiences working on Parkinson's and Alzheimer's research, the impact of engaging with donors on Alzheimer’s Research UK day, and the inspiration drawn from the "Celebrating Diversity in Science and Medicine" event. Yasmin emphasises the import...

Hannah Hussain narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. Hannah explores the unique challenges faced by minority communities in the UK regarding dementia care. It highlights the underrepresentation and barriers these communities face in accessing appropriate care, including cultural stigmas, lack of research, and the need for culturally relevant interventions. The blog underscores the imp...

Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher. In his blog post "Academic Promotions: A Tale of Two Tries - Part 2," Connor is back sharing his experiences and insights from two rounds of applying for academic promotion. Highlighting the importance of mindset, Connor contrasts his initial, cautious approach with a more confident, assertive strategy in his second attempt. H...

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website. Jodi discusses the intricacies of handling difficult conversations within the academic sphere. She emphasises the importance of empathy and effective communication when responding to colleagues facing personal challenges. Drawing on her own experiences, including coping with her father's death during her PhD, she cr...

Dr Clíona Farrell, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Clíona she shares highlights from the 2024 International Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS) conference in Rome. Focusing on Alzheimer's disease in individuals with Down syndrome, Clíona discusses the latest research advancements, the genetic link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer's, and the critical need for incl...

Dr Sarah Griffiths, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Discover how people with dementia play a crucial role in guiding the ethical review process in research. Sarah Griffiths from University College London shares her insights and experiences in involving patients and carers through Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE). Learn how this collaborative appr...

Lis Grey, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Dr Lis Grey's first blog for Dementia Researcher, "Academic Precarity: Moving the Discussion Forward," tackles the pressing issue of job insecurity faced by researchers. She explores the negative impacts of short-term contracts and the lack of stable positions in academia. With insightful analysis and practical suggestions,...

Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog Emily revisits the topic of identity in the context of becoming a parent. She reflects on her initial struggles with the concept of motherhood and how it has evolved over six months. Emily shares her experiences of the challenges and loneliness of new parenthood, from sleepless nights and self-doubt to the...

Dr Yvonne Couch , narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Yvonne explores the increasing challenges faced by researchers in securing funding and sustaining scientific progress. Highlighting her personal experiences and comparisons over the past two decades, she underscores the dramatic rise in costs, the growing competition for limited funds, and the impact of modern researc...

Helena Gellersen, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Helena shares valuable tips on making the most of academic conferences, particularly the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC). She offers practical advice on leveraging conference resources, setting goals, effective networking, and presenting research. She emphasises the importance of preparation, s...

Rebecca Williams, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. Rebecca reflects on the intense pressure she has felt throughout her academic career to be perfect, driven by the fear of failure and the need to prove her worth in a privileged position. She discusses how this perfectionism, common in academia, stems from a deep-seated need to justify her place and avoid the perceive...

Amelia Robson , narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website. In her first blog for Dementia Researcher, Amelia shares her experiences as a young researcher working with people living with dementia, highlighting the importance of building rapport through genuine conversation and shared interests. She discusses the challenges of connecting with older generations and offers practica...

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. Clarissa discusses her learning from serving on an NIHR funding committee, detailing the rigorous process of grant review and decision-making. She highlights the valuable lessons learned about crafting strong grant applications, the importance of presenting research clearly to a diverse committee, and the critical role of patien...

Join Athena Bratopoulou as she interviews Dr Zsófia László about her research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) / Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Athena Bratopoulou, an undergraduate Neuroscience student at the University of Dundee, interviews Dr Zsófia László, an MNDA Junior Fellow. They discuss Dr László's journey into the field of Motor Neuron Disease (MND) research, her work on synaptic connec...

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, Mediterr...

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...

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 imp...

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...

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...

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 pla...

Dr Jodi Watt, narrating a new blog they wrote for the Dementia Researcher website. In this blog Jodi shares their personal journey of grappling with the decision to remain in academia or pursue a different career path. They discuss the pressures and uncertainties they face, from the desire for personal growth and career advancement to the challenges of finding job security and a supportive work en...

Dr Clarissa Giebel narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher. Clarissa shares her experience in running a successful journal club for a dementia research group at the University of Liverpool. Meeting monthly, the club allows members to discuss recent papers, critically analyse research, and build capacity in public speaking. Tips for setting up a journal club include booking rooms and pres...