Meet the new Race Against Dementia ARUK Fellows

It's World Alzheimer's Day - a day when we discuss the disease, work to raise awareness and call for action. Today’s podcast is a special edition to announce a very important action from Race Against Dementia (RAD) supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, the appointment of four new Research Fellows. In the show we talk to new Chief Executive Bridget Barker, who introduces their newly appointed Fellows. They share their research plans, what they’re most looking forward to about the programme and provide a few top tips for those applying for similar positions. Meet the new RAD Fellows: Dr Maura Malpetti, from University of Cambridge. Maura uses multimodal imaging techniques (multi-tracer PET and MRI) integrated with fluid markers, post-mortem validation, and prognostic modelling approaches in frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Dr Aitana Sogorb Esteve, from the UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London. Maura is looking for fluid biomarkers of synaptic dysfunction in genetic FTD and aiming to develop a technique for measuring these synaptic markers in blood. Dr Emily Hill, from University of Warwick. Emily uses detailed electrophysiological approaches to understand the mechanisms underlying tau pathology in neurodegeneration. This work aims to highlight new targets for the treatment of tauopathies like Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Wioleta Zelek, from Cardiff University. Wioleta is an Immunologist focussing on the complement system, its biology, roles in disease and in manipulating the system for therapy. Of particular interest is in the terminal pathway of the complement system that generates the highly pro-inflammatory molecules C5a and the membrane attack complex (MAC). The RAD Fellowship has been discussed on the show before, it is unique in providing five years of funding, with research costs, only open to people who have completed their PhD within the past three years, and provided with a whole programme of additional support – from performance coaching, mentoring through to connections to cutting edge industries and Formula One Teams. The charity started Formula One legend Sir Jackie Steward, aims to instil Formula One attitude into scientific research, to accelerating pace discovery, and with these latest appointments they now fund 10 Fellows based in the UK, USA and Australia. In the UK the programme is supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the James Dyson Foundation. Find out more about RAD and its Fellows, and how you could provide your own support for their work: https://www.raceagainstdementia.com/ You can find out more about our guests, and access a full transcript of this podcast on our website at: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/podcast This podcast also sits on YouTube with English Language Subtitles. _________________________ Finally, please review, like, and share our podcast - and don't forget to subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode. Register on our website to receive your weekly bulletin, and to access more great content – blogs, science, career support + much more https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk This podcast is brought to you in association with Alzheimer's Research UK and Alzheimer's Society, who we thank for their ongoing support. ______________ Complete the UCL ISTAART #ECRPIA Survey at https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/survey