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Profile – Dr Megan Torvell

Name:

Dr Megan Torvell

Job title:

Research Associate

Place of work / study:

UK Dementia Research Institute at Cardiff University [1]

Area of Research:

Neuroinflammation

How is your work funded?

My work at the DRI is funded by MRC, ARUK and Alzheimer’s Society

Tell us a little about yourself:

After studying Biochemistry at Imperial College London, I moved to Edinburgh University for my PhD, during which I investigated the impact of systemic inflammation on a mouse model of tauopathy disease. I moved to Cardiff in 2018 to begin my current postdoc at the Dementia Research Institute. I’m still researching the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative disease but now with an even more niche focus on the role of complement (part of the innate immune system) on Alzheimer’s disease. I would love to work on tauopathy dementia again in future.

I’m also an early career researcher (ECR) representative for the DRI at Cardiff University and a Dignity and Wellbeing contact. I enjoy trying to find constructive ways to support our ECRs and foster a relaxed and collaborative environment.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself:

I have a bit of an obsession with house plants and I’m quite good at ebay  /gumtree. Sometimes these passions come together in beautiful harmony. As a result, I have a 10ft cheese plant. I’m aiming for a Kew Gardens sort of feel throughout the house!

Why did you choose to work in dementia?

My Gran suffered from dementia. She also, on occasion, suffered with episodes of delirium triggered by infections. I found it fascinating that something like a urinary infection could affect my Gran’s cognition and ended up at Edinburgh University studying just that for my PhD.

Can we find you on Twitter?

Follow @MTorvell [2]