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Dr Helena Gellersen
Name:
Dr Helena Gellersen
Job Title:
Postdoctoral Researcher
Place of work / study:
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Area of Research:
Alzheimer’s disease, memory, ageing, neuroimaging
How is your research funded:
BrightFocus Foundation, Joachim Herz Foundation, DZNE Foundation
Tell us a little about yourself:
I completed my PhD in psychology at the University of Cambridge studying the cognitive neuroscience of memory in healthy ageing. As a postdoctoral researcher at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, I now focus on identifying preclinical signatures of Alzheimer’s disease pathology as they manifest in changes to functional brain networks and cognition. The translational aim of my work is to develop novel memory and neuroimaging markers for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and for monitoring disease progression. I am currently the Trainee Representative of the Neuroimaging Professional Interest Area of the Alzheimer’s Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment where I help organize events for early career researchers.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I am an avid Salsa and Bachata dancer and have published two popular science books on memory.
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
I chose to work in this field because dementia is one of the most devastating diseases, affects millions of people around the world and because it targets cognitive abilities and neuronal circuits I find most fascinating, such as memory and the medial temporal lobe/hippocampal formation, respectively.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
If you have the chance, try to gain some experience outside academia (for example science communication, research in industry, science policy, etc.). Not only will it help you to see what else is out there, it will also allow you to learn about how your scientific training can be applied to other fields. It could even make you think differently about your own work and may lead to new interdisciplinary collaborations.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I’m re-reading Huxley’s Brave New World – still relevant and highly recommended.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Dancing, cooking & baking, running, spending time with friends & family
Favourite film of all time?
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (I realise that’s cheating but it’s impossible to pick the best one)
Can we find you on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn?
Follow Helena Gellersen on LinkedIn
Alzheimer's Association
Alz Forum
