Name:
Dr Angelique Mavrodaris
Job Title:
Clinical Research Fellow & Consultant in Public Health Medicine
Place of work / study:
Cambridge Institute of Public Health (University of Cambridge)
Area of Research:
Ageing, dementia and infectious diseases from a global public health perspective. I’m currently exploring the impact of infections on dementia progression and potential for prevention. I am committed to serving patients and their families and passionate about driving translational research that will deliver tangible patient and public benefits.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I completed my medical training in South Africa after which I worked in infectious disease and HIV placements. During this time I became acutely aware of how strong public health policy could improve the health of individuals, communities and populations and was inspired to pursue a path in Public Health. After completing an Academic Clinical Fellowship in Public Health in the West Midlands, I took on a joint role as a Clinical Research Fellow and a Consultant in Public Health Medicine based in Cambridge.
In my current joint clinical-academic role I’m working to ensure research evidence drives policy and service delivery in response to the needs of local populations. In addition to my research on dementia, I lead the design and development of a system-wide regional Ageing Well Programme and strategies to challenge inequalities in later life.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I am (unofficially) the fastest woman to cycle round Sun Moon Lake in central Taiwan with two original Taiwanese woodblock prints on my back. This record was achieved while I was being chased by a fierce pack of wild dogs (my husband maintains there were only two stray dogs chasing each other but that’s not how I remember it).
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
As populations age globally, dementia is fast emerging as one of the most important public health challenges. During my work both in the UK and South Africa I’ve been struck by the increasing challenges faced by older people, in particular the devastating impact of dementia – compromising health and independence, depriving people of a lifetime of memories and shattering families. It’s witnessing first-hand this distress that has compelled me to work in dementia and contribute towards identifying opportunities for prevention and improving quality of life for people living with dementia and their families.