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Dr Megan Rose Readman
Name:
Dr Megan Rose Readman
Job Title:
NIHR ARC and Alzheimer’s Society Dem Comm Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Place of work / study:
The University of Liverpool
Area of Research:
My current research, working alongside Dr Clarissa Giebel, Dr Dalia Tsimpida and Professor Chris Plack, focuses on the relationship between hearing loss and atypical types of dementia, specifically Parkinson’s Disease Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia.
How is your research funded:
NIHR and Alzheimer’s Society joint funding
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool funded by the NIHR and the Alzheimer’s Society. I completed my undergraduate degree, masters and PhD at Lancaster University. My PhD focused on non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s Disease. When completing my PhD in 2022 I then went on to successfully be awarded an ESRC funded Postdoctoral fellowship in which I began to investigate the relationship between hearing loss and Parkinson’s. In April 2023 I was awarded a two-year research fellowship funded by the NIHR and the Alzheimer’s Society. In this position I am developing my research to consider the relationship between and experience of hearing loss in people living with Parkinson’s dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
From dancing, to horse riding, walking my two labradors or going to the gym I love doing anything active in my free time.
Why did you choose to work in dementia:
During my undergraduate studies I attended a lecturer delivered by Professor Trevor Crawford. In this lecture he introduced the neuropsychology of Parkinson’s and Dementia. From this moment onwards I was so fascinated in these complex conditions. Fast forward a few years to when those closest to me have been immediately affected by Parkinson’s, my interest in working to help people living with Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy bodies increased 1000 fold. Throughout my PhD I found working with people living with Parkinson’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies is so rewarding and fulfilling. I felt, and continue to feel, so honoured that people living with these conditions trust me so whole-heartdley and feel comfortable to share their stories with me. So, I feel the least I can do is try to contribute to invaluable research that can help people living with these conditions both in the long and short-term.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Do not give up, the hard work is worth it! Working in academia is full of unexpected twists, turns, rejections and set backs. But, nothing beats seeing your work published, or presenting at a conference and sharing your work with all the people you look up to. I know we all doubt ourselves at times but you will eventually get that position/funding/publication you are striving for and it will be worth all the hard work in the end!
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
What I Wish People Knew About Dementia, by Wendy Mitchell. I would definitely recommend this well written book that provides a raw insight from someone living with Dementia.
NIHR
