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Dr Lauren ONeill
Name:
Dr Lauren O’Neill
Job title:
Post-doctoral researcher
Place of work / study:
University of Dundee
Area of Research:
Molecular mechanisms underlying dementia with Lewy bodies
How is your work funded:
Tell us a little about yourself:
Currently, I’m a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Dundee working with Dr David Koss. My project aims to elucidate specifically where on the human genome alpha synuclein binds in patients who have suffered with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), using a technique known as ChIP-Seq. Having completed my PhD at Newcastle University where I largely investigated the presence of pre-symptomatic mitochondrial changes in a mouse model of alpha synucleinopathy, I aim to combine my knowledge of mitochondrial involvement in my current project, such as investigating whether alpha synuclein also binds mitochondrial DNA.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
Not sure
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
Dementia lies very close to home, as it will be for many people. My late Nana sadly passed away from Alzheimer’s disease, which inspired me to pursue a scientific career in delineating the mechanisms behind such an awful disease and diseases alike, with the overarching aim of furthering our current understanding so that preventative therapies can be developed.
What single piece of advise would you give to an early career researcher?
Try not to doubt yourself, you’ll be surprised what you can achieve when you believe in yourself.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
The vital question – Nick Lane – tries to answer the fundamental questions surrounding the origin of life.
Favourite film of all time?
The Craft
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Drawing, Reading, Yoga or Pilates
What’s the best decision you ever made?
Applying for a PhD
What’s your favourite vacation spot?
Madeira
Do you collect anything?
Magnets and keyrings from different countries – it’s the simple things 🙂
Dr Sam Moxon
Ajantha Abey