Lots of places are moving away from animal research, which is a great thing to be thinking about, but we need to be cautious about dropping everything right now before we've developed all the appropriate alternatives: 🧪 academic.oup.com/brain/advanc...

People in #Muslim communities experience inequality in access to #dementia diagnosis despite a steeper rise in prevalence compared to the rest of the UK population. I'm pleased to share we've received research funding to address this, starting in North East England. Cheers ☕️

As researchers, we're too quick to share our manuscripts, grant applications, etc. Our ideas. But this puts our work at risk of being stolen. In this @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social, I wrote about protecting our intellectual property. www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-protect...

Paper accepted on the last day of the year 🎊 Hoping to take the positivity into the new year and wishing everyone the best for 2026 🙂.

Last ever Lumiere ❤️

A #sabbatical is now viewed as a life support for a research career amongst #academics, who are doing multiple roles they're not trained for, at the expense of the one role they are. My next @demrescommunity blog ⬇️

Beautiful Lake Como 😍☀️ 🇮🇹

Pleased to share that our MRC grant application was successful! 🎉 This will help build capacity for biomedical research at Teesside 🧪🧫🧬🔬👩🏻‍⚕️ Cheers ☕️

As course leader, it's been a stressful wait, but pleased to see our Biomedical Science course RETAIN 2nd place in the Guardian University Guide 2026! There's been many challenges over the past 12 months so this is a great achievement for the team! 🎉 www.theguardian.com/education/ng...

Thanks @kamarameenali.bsky.social for this great blog about dementia & delirium. Our 'Delirium Matters' report (led by president-elect of the European Delirium Association, @proflizsampson.bsky.social) outlines 5 urgent policy recommendations to improve delirium care in England ⬇️ shorturl.at/pio7T

Reminder to put out water for #hedgehogs if you can - it's thirsty work looking for food all night! 🦔

Cycling around Durham ☀️🚴🏻‍♀️

Sunny Oxford ☀️😍

Beautiful weather in the #Highlands, which was great for the #GoSwim Loch Tay swimming event ☀️🏊🏻‍♀️🍦

This is disappointing! The North-East produces exceptional research! I’ve had the privilege of working alongside world leaders in Lewy body dementia at Newcastle University. Transparency as to how these institutions were selected is definately needed!

#Dementia is a leading cause of death for women, and we're more likely to care for people with dementia. Despite being disproportionately affected, female researchers are less likely to get funded/promoted. My @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social blog ⬇️ www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-imp...

Found this little hoglet stranded in a car park - lying on the concrete in the heat, no sign of its mum. Managed to get him admitted to a #hedgehog rescue late last night. Remember - #hedgehogs shouldn't be out in the daytime, so get help/advice from your local rescue 🦔

So happy to see Dr Zoë Bell graduate last week after completing her PhD! 🎉 And congratulations to my first cohort of BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science students who also graduated! 👩🏻‍🎓 Excited to see what you all do next! 🔬

“Just delirium” or “pleasantly confused” – terms that mask real danger. This short clip from our latest podcast highlights why delirium deserves urgent attention. Watch or listen to the full episode Watch: youtu.be/06M7bmgoMg0 Listen: pod.fo/e/2f63b9

It was a pleasure hosting this @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social podcast episode where I interviewed the brilliant Dr Mani Krishnan, @akhundakar.bsky.social, and Anna Wilson about the link between #delirium and #dementia. Check it out ⬇️

Garden is coming along nicely ☀️🌹🪷🌼

The research funding process in #academia is highly subjective, decisions are vulnerable to bias, and the process may be actively encouraging bad practice. In this @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social blog, I explain why it needs reforming. ⬇️ www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-does-th...

Today we kicked off the BNA Northeast Neuroscience Network meeting with representatives from four universities in the region talking about the neuroscience research areas and techniques they specialise in 🧠 #NeuroNE2025

There's still time to register and submit an abstract for the Northeast Neuroscience Networking meeting taking place next month in #Newcastle! Abstract deadline: TODAY! Registration deadline: 6 June 2025 More info: forms.cloud.microsoft/e/2SxzKbPC0sx #NeuroNE2025

It was great to raise awareness of functional cognitive disorder, how it differs from #dementia, and the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis at #Pint25 earlier this week. Thanks to Dr Zoë Bell for organising! 👩🏻‍⚕️🔬🧠

Another fantastic #KMF2025 weekend! No triathlon for me this year - just the Derwentwater swim 🏊🏻‍♀️ ☀️🍦

"We talk a lot about diversity and inclusion, but we rarely connect it to the structure of academic labour. You can’t diversify the pipeline if your pipes are corroded by years of neglect and complacency." A must read for those traversing academia. ⬇️ www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/im-tir...

Beautiful day for some open water swimming 🏊‍♀️ ☀️

Want to share your #neuroscience research and connect with other neuroscientists in the Northeast? Join us for the Neuroscience Northeast Network meeting next month in #Newcastle! See ⬇️ for registration and abstract submission info 🧠 Thanks @britishneuro.bsky.social for funding! #NeuroNE2025

Is the rapid and widespread use of #GenAI a risk to academic integrity, potentially deskilling future scientists? Or can it enable creativity and improve efficiency? In this @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social blog, I ask if GenAI is a friend or foe. www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-the-use...

I'll be giving a talk at this year's @pintofscience.uk! I'll be talking about the difference between functional cognitive disorder and #dementia, and the importance of getting an accurate diagnosis. See ⬇️ for more information and how to get #Pint25 tickets. 🔬🧠👩‍🔬 pintofscience.co.uk/event/cognit...

Longhorn cattle drive in Fort Worth, Texas 🇺🇸

***Final reminder*** Less than one week left to apply for a BBSRC-funded #PhD in my lab! 🧠🔬📆 Link below for a project summary and how to apply ⬇️

In research, we determine what should be controlled to minimise bias and variability. But controls can mean different things depending on your area. In this @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social blog, I discuss how to use controls in your research ⬇️. www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-how-to-...

An opportunity to do a BBSRC-funded PhD in my lab is now available! This joint project with @durhameaston.bsky.social and Dr Liam Norman will investigate the neurobiological basis of memory in the context of healthy ageing. Deadline: 31 March 2025 Please share! www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

Only those who can afford to pay will get the new "game-changer" #Alzheimer's drugs. In this @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social blog I discuss the need to remove barriers in access to #dementia treatment, which exacerbate existing health inequalities. www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-address...

We endure precarity early in our careers on the assumption that job security will eventually come. But we're sold a false dream as permanency in #academia is a myth. My next blog for @dementiaresearcher.bsky.social on facing #redundancy ⬇️. www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/blog-facing-...

Wondering why some of the #hedgehogs in the garden haven't started hibernating... 🦔

Since it's now in the media... my department is included in those facing redundancies at Teesside. The uncertainty has been very stressful for us, particularly at a time of year when we should be looking forward to spending time with family. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...