Profile – Dr Chris Hardy, University College London

Dr Chris Hardy

Name:

Dr Chris Hardy

Job Title:

Senior Research Fellow

Place of work / study:

University College London

Area of Research:

Clinical neuroscience of dementias

Tell us a little about yourself:

I finished my PhD at University College London in 2017, working with Professors Jason Warren and Seb Crutch. My current research is funded by a Pauline Ashley Fellowship, funded jointly by Action on Hearing Loss and the Dunhill Medical Trust, and I am investigating symptoms of hearing loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease and the primary progressive aphasias: a set of rarer ‘language-led’ dementias. I also have a part-time role as Education Officer for Rare Dementia Support (www.raredementiasupport.org). Outside of work, I love sports of all kinds – and find that I’m often at my most inventive with research when I’m running!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself:

In September 2016, I completed an Ironman triathlon to raise money for Rare Dementia Support. It took me over 13 hours, comprising a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km cycle, and then a full marathon. It was a hideous experience and I will never do another one, but I did raise over £3,000 in sponsorship.

Why did you choose to work in dementia?

My family has been affected by dementia, as is the case for so many people now. That experience – watching the person you know and love slipping away in front of your eyes – has definitely motivated me to want to make a difference. More broadly, I think this is the single-most important health issue of our time, and the thing that drives me to work hard is the tantalising thought that my research could help other people in the future.

Can we find you on Twitter?

Follow @cjdhardy