Dementia Researcher Blogs
The Dementia Researcher Blogs Podcasts - through this show, you can hear our bloggers read their blogs. So if you prefer to read, you can head or our website or you can listen on the move. These shows are about academic / research careers, research, science and life as an early career dementia researchers. Brought to you by https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk - everything you need, all in one place. Remember to subscribe to our main ‘Dementia Researcher‘ Podcast, here and where ever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
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.
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Follow us on Social Media:
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4 days ago
4 days ago
Anika Wuestefeld narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Anika's blog is a vital resource for early-career dementia researchers navigating the complexities of grant writing. It offers practical advice, from selecting the right grants to apply for, to crafting a compelling application that meets formatting and content expectations. It also highlights useful resources like the ISTAART Guide to Grants and relevant podcasts, making it an indispensable guide for those new to the research funding process.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-building-a-successful-grant-application/
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Anika Wuestefeld is a PhD Student at Lund University, she also works as part of the ISTAART PEERs PIA European working group and the Interdem Academy. Anika's research explores the nuances of both aging and Alzheimer's disease, using multimodal methods, such as various modalities of in-vivo and ex-vivo magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and fluid biomarkers. @WuestefeldAnika
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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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Friday May 10, 2024
Sara Zsadanyi - A Look Inside AAIC Neuroscience Next
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
Sára Erzsebet Zsadányi narrates her blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Sara shares her thoughts on last months AAIC Neuroscience Next Conference. This hybrid event, designed to bridge local and global scientific communities, has successfully showcased emerging talent in Alzheimer’s and dementia research over the past four years. Focusing on inclusivity and accessibility, the conference offers free participation and features multiple hubs worldwide, including Brazil, San Francisco, India, Ireland, Ethiopia, Serbia, and Chicago. It combines live and virtual elements to facilitate broad engagement, emphasising opportunities for early-career researchers. The event's innovative format not only promotes knowledge exchange across continents but also supports economic activities in host locations, thereby broadening the conference's impact beyond the academic sphere.
To express an interest in hosting a hybrid hub in 2025, make sure to submit your application.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-a-look-inside-aaic-neuroscience-next/
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Sára Erzsebet Zsadányi is a PhD Student at the Sant Pau Memory Unit – Neuroimaging Core and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. Originally from New Zealand, Sára's current work focusses on neuroimaging of small vessel disease in Down Syndrome. In previous roles she has worked on healthy brain aging and meditation, and is currently an ISTAART Ambassador.
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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/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
Friday May 10, 2024
Emily Spencer - The illusion of choice when starting a family
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
Emily Spencer, narrating her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Emily is writing about her experience of navigating the complexities of starting a family while forging an academic career. In this blog Emily reflects on her personal experiences and the unexpected openness about family planning that followed her announcement of having a baby. She explores the broader challenges faced by academics, particularly women, who must balance short-term contracts and uncertain job security with the desire to expand their families. Emily's blog highlights the additional planning and sacrifices required in academia compared to other professions and calls for systemic changes to support academics in their family planning decisions.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-illusion-of-choice-when-starting-a-family/
#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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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
Thursday May 09, 2024
Thursday May 09, 2024
Dr Connor Richardson narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Connor reflects on the latest advancements in dementia research, focusing on cognitive reserve and resilience. Connor revisits seminal papers and discussions from a recent webinar moderated by Harriet Demnitz-King of University College London, highlighting the complexities of defining and measuring cognitive reserve. The discussions explored various theories and mechanisms such as Brain Maintenance and Brain Reserve, with a particular emphasis on resilience in maintaining cognitive functions despite aging and disease. Key findings from the year include the role of astrocyte reactivity in Alzheimer's disease and the protective influence of educational attainment on dementia, showcasing both new insights and persistent challenges in the field. The review underscores ongoing debates and the introduction of novel approaches in studying cognitive decline, suggesting a promising direction for future research.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-reserve-resilience-protective-factors-pia-year-in-review-recap/
Don’t forget, you can get involved in the RRPF PIA by joining ISTAART and get access to previous webinars!
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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:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
https://twitter.com/demrescommunity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dementia-researcher
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Dr Marianne Coleman - Connecting Globally: Insights from the ADI Conference
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Dr Marianne Coleman narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Explore the latest global insights on Alzheimer's research with Marianne's blog reflecting on the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) Conference. Read or listen to learn more about her work, the conference experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the progress being made in the field and how these developments can impact patients and research communities worldwide.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-connecting-globally-insights-from-the-adi-conference/
#ADI2024 #DementiaResearch #Dementia
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Dr Marianne Coleman is an Orthoptist and Clinical Eyecare Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne & Australian College of Optometry (National Vision Research Institute). Marianne's research focusses on visual function and access to eyecare for people living with dementia. With a background working within the NHS, she notices that she saw lots of older adults, but few with dementia, and this inspired her to try and understand why. @MPOrthoptics
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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
Friday May 03, 2024
Ajantha Abey - The Use of AI for Dementia Diagnosis
Friday May 03, 2024
Friday May 03, 2024
Ajantha Abey narrates his blog written for Dementia Researcher.
Ajantha's blog offers a professional and thought-provoking exploration of the integration of artificial intelligence in dementia research and diagnosis. He discusses both the opportunities and risks presented by AI technologies, from their potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and speed to the ethical concerns about bias and data privacy. This blog is a well-researched text, with insights drawn from recent academic debates and the Ajantha's own expertise. It is a must-read for professionals in the healthcare and technology sectors who are interested in the future of AI in medical research. Join Ajantha as she navigates through these complex topics with clarity and critical analysis, opening up a discussion on how AI can truly benefit dementia research (a story of AI potential for dementia diagnosis is in the news almost weekly) while considering the moral imperatives and risks involved.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-use-of-ai-for-dementia-diagnosis/
#AI #DementiaDiagnosis #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.
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Follow us on Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/dementia_researcher/
https://www.facebook.com/Dementia.Researcher/
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Wednesday May 01, 2024
Dr Dylan Williams - The Genetic Culprit Behind Alzheimer's
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Wednesday May 01, 2024
Dr Dylan Williams, narrates his blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
In this article Dr Dylan Williams shares his research on the significant role of genetic variation, particularly concerning Apolipoprotein E (apoE), in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Dylan explains that specific isoforms of apoE, identified through genetic research, contribute differentially to the risk of developing this neurodegenerative condition. By focusing on the prevalent and impactful ε3 and ε4 isoforms, he underscores their substantial contribution to the disease, potentially accounting for three-quarters of all cases. This insight not only advances our understanding but also opens new avenues for targeted prevention strategies, demonstrating the power of genetic research in addressing complex diseases like Alzheimer's.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-genetic-culprit-behind-alzheimers/
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Dr Dylan Williams is a Principle Research Fellow at University College London. By day Dylan is a molecular epidemiologist investigating the causes of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside work, he is dad to two young children, so he no longer have hobbies. However, he does read spent many hours listening to music and creating playlists & trail running (but only if the weather is nice). @dylan_wi11iams
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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
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Yasmin Bonsu - Life of an Undergraduate in Research
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Sunday Apr 28, 2024
Yasmin Bonsu, narrates her blog written for the Dementia Researcher website.
Meet our newest monthly blogger... Yasmin Bonsu, a third-year neuroscience student at the University of Manchester, shares her journey as an undergraduate engaged in research during her placement year at the University of Oxford. Under the mentorship of Dr. Becky Carlyle and her colleague Amelia, Yasmin has navigated the complexities of academic research, experimenting with biological procedures and personal growth, despite the challenges of social anxiety and a strenuous commute from Milton Keynes to Oxford. Her research focuses on the potential protective effects of granin family neuropeptides on neurons affected by Alzheimer’s disease, with a goal to explore neuronal resilience. With genuine candour, Yasmin reflects on overcoming self-doubt, recognising the value of support systems, and the importance of embracing imperfection in the learning process. We hope you will enjoy hearing from Yasmin every month and follow her continued explorations in academia.
Find the original text, and narration here on our website.
https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-life-of-an-undergraduate-in-research/
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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