Imagine it’s a hot summer’s day and you are relaxing in the garden. Maybe you’re sipping on a glass of cool lemonade, savouring uncharacteristically good British weather. Everything is perfect, until you raise the glass to your lips and notice a fuzzy black speck writhing around in your drink. A pesky fruit fly. Gross. You […]
When a new scientist embarks on a career in the lab there is a lot they need to take on board. To contribute to our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s, PhD students need to learn how to design and run experiments, analyse results, and effectively share their findings with the wider research community, all while […]
Why did you choose to work on dementia? Early in my studies I had the privilege to meet people with dementia and their families, which strongly reinforced my desire to work in this field and bring about meaningful change to people affected by the condition. Even now, simply talking to the family of someone with […]
This World Alzheimer’s Month, we spoke to Cassy Fiford a research assistant and PhD student to find out why she is passionately involved in dementia research. What does your job involve? I am a research assistant, currently studying for my PhD at University College London (UCL). My work involves looking closely at brain scans taken […]
When the family of the late Robin Williams revealed that the actor had been living with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), it threw a spotlight on a disease that many people had not heard of before. Alongside tributes to his huge talent, extraordinary career, and inspiring personal qualities; many news outlets reported how the comedy […]
What has your career path been like to date? My career to date has alternated between science and medicine: I completed a degree in Biology from Oxford; a medical degree from St George’s Hospital Medical School and worked as a junior doctor before embarking on a PhD at UCL Institute of Neurology with Prof Sarah […]
Earlier this year, we offered dementia researchers in the early stages of their career a chance to sit in on a meeting of our Grant Review Board. Dr Lauren Walker took the opportunity to find out more about how we make sure your donations support the most promising science. I am a researcher in the […]
Fighting dementia inspires my research There is more to being an effective dementia researcher than honed laboratory skills. New researchers need to pick up a host of skills in order to forge a successful career and have the greatest impact This month, dementia researchers in the initial stages of their careers are making their way […]
Dr Ashwin Venkataraman is a Psychiatrist at Imperial College London, and an Alzheimer’s Research UK-funded Clinical Research Fellow. We caught up with him recently to find out more about his research into the potential links between alcohol abuse and Alzheimer’s disease. Name and job title Dr Ashwin Venkataraman, Alzheimer’s Research UK Clinical Research Fellow What […]
In May 2016 we committed £50m to support the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI), our biggest financial commitment to a single initiative in our 25-year history. After an international search, Prof Bart De Strooper was named as Director of the UK DRI in late 2016, and UCL was announced as the hub of the […]
