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In 2024, Alzheimer’s Society invested £9m in three Doctoral Training Centres (DTCs) to support around 85 students to take their first steps into dementia research. The first cohort of five students has already started their projects at the DTC for Vascular and Immune Contributors to Dementia (VIDA). So, why not grab a cup of tea and learn more about the new generation of dementia researchers? Who knows… you might see their work presented at conferences or collaborate on future projects together!
From announcements of new Alzheimer’s drugs and launching essential care partnerships, to better understanding the risk factors of dementia, it is an exciting time for dementia research. As a funder, we play an essential role in attracting talented researchers to enter, remain, and thrive in the field of dementia research by providing greater infrastructure and support, so that a new generation of dementia researchers can feel secure in pursuing dementia research as their career choice.
Alzheimer’s Society’s Doctoral Training Centres aim to do just that. Providing new PhD students with unique access to networking, training and knowledge sharing, the three Doctoral Training Centres will focus on unique topics within dementia research, to answer crucial questions and develop real-life, translatable solutions to dementia.
PhD students at the VIDA DTC will aim to improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind cardiovascular and immune system contributors to dementia, and how they could be targeted to develop future treatments.
Led by Professor Stuart Allan at the University of Manchester, VIDA DTC will allow each student to focus on a unique project, completing their studies at leading institutions in the field. With the help of their supervisors and their DTC network, by the end of their time as PhD students, they will be well-equipped to become dementia research leaders of the future!
About the researchers
Since starting university, Eleanor Benford wanted to be a researcher. By connecting with and meeting many academics, Eleanor became inspired to pursue a career in research. With a personal connection to dementia, Eleanor is motivated to start a PhD in dementia research. Today, Eleanor is a VIDA DTC student at the University of Manchester, supervised by Professor Craig Smith alongside Professor Stuart Allan and Dr Laura McCulloch. The project investigates the role of infection and B-cell immunity in post-stroke cognitive decline.
“During my PhD, I’m excited to learn more about dementia and be a part of a group of people who are working together to paint the picture of a condition that is still not fully understood. More than that, I’m excited about all the people I will meet along the way. From patients to academics to families affected, I look forward to building connections, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a collective effort to alleviate the impact of dementia.” Eleanor Benford
Miruna Burduja has been interested in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration since her undergraduate degree, and during this PhD project, is excited to work with experts in the field to uncover new insights into dementia, and to be a part of a diverse group working on a common goal. Miruna hopes for a career in research, particularly in the field of inflammation and dementia. Miruna’s project is supervised by Professor Catherine Lawrence, looking at the role of the endothelial glycocalyx in cerebral small vessel disease and vascular dementia.
“I like that the project is exploring a new avenue that hasn’t been previously investigated in the context of vascular dementia, the disease itself being understudied compared to Alzheimer’s. I feel empowered to be part of such a large and diverse group of early career researchers who are all working towards the same common goal: solving the problem of dementia.” Miruna Burduja
Since the research community’s excitement around blood biomarkers in dementia, Hing Tim Fung has been interested in finding a research project focused on the topic. Motivated by the opportunity to contribute to research that addresses gaps in our understanding of dementia, Hing Tim hopes for a research career that would inspire the next generation of future dementia scientists. Supervised by Dr Fatemeh Geranmayeh, this project looks at blood biomarkers of cerebrovascular disease, and understanding how cerebrovascular factors may influence the development of dementia.
“I feel very fortunate to be part of the Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre! Being part of a large, well-established network of researchers is inspiring, as it creates a fantastic environment for sharing information, exchanging ideas, and fostering innovation across multiple academic institutions” Hing Tim Fung
Noelia Pérez Ramos believes that dementia research is critical, and neurodegeneration is one of the most significant unresolved challenges right now. Through the PhD project, Noelia wants to find mechanisms behind the vascular changes in dementia and create breakthroughs essential for development of more effective strategies and interventions for the disease. The project is supervised by Dr Blanca Díaz Castro at The University of Edinburgh, and aims to investigate the role of endothelium-astrocyte communication in the brain’s response to peripheral inflammation.
“Being part of the Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre represents and invaluable opportunity to engage in a program that fosters meaningful, bidirectional communication with patients living with dementia and their families. It also means joining an inclusive organization whose mission aligns closely with my goals as a researcher: to offer hope for the future by advancing our understanding of dementia and generating translational research” Noelia Pérez Ramos
And last, but certainly not least, the final student of the 2024 VIDA cohort is Misha Ramesh, who has been motivated to enter dementia research through, as a care home volunteer, witnessed first-hand the impact that dementia has on people. This experience has driven Misha to participate in several funding events for Alzheimer’s Society, and she continues to support dementia research through her career. The research project, supervised by Professor Christopher Owen at City St George’s University of London, looks at predicting cognitive and neurodegenerative outcomes from big data using automated retinal imaging analysis systems.
“Being a part of an Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre is a rare opportunity for researchers early in their careers. It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to network with other PhD students and researchers who have an interest in dementia. It will allow me to learn new skills and gain a wider understanding of the field of dementia research.” Misha Ramesh
Our research strategy emphasises the importance of funding ECR projects to inspire a new generation of talented researchers and brilliant minds to enter and remain in dementia research.
At Alzheimer’s Society, we are committed to funding projects which aim to answer all key pieces of the dementia puzzle. People affected by dementia are an important part of our reviewing and monitoring processes, which ensure that we fund high quality and impactful research, like the VIDA DTC projects.
We are so excited for these five students to begin their dementia research journeys and will be waiting eagerly to hear more about their successes in years to come. Stay tuned!
Find other PhD funding oppertunities, and keep up-to-date on the work of the DTC’s through our dedicated webpage: https://www.dementiaresearcher.nihr.ac.uk/alzheimers-society-doctoral-training-centres/
Dementia Researcher
