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Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ English
Name:
Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ English
Job title:
Research Impact and Evaluation Analyst / Founder and CEO
Place of work / study:
British Heart Foundation / Women in Neuroscience UK
Area of Research:
My day job involves analysing and communicating the impact of research funded by British Heart Foundation. I also lead Women in Neuroscience UK, supporting a team of volunteers to produce events and digital content, tackling sexism and gender bias towards more inclusive neuroscience. I recently completed my PhD at the University of Cambridge, “Single-molecule characterisation of tau aggregates in Alzheimer’s disease progression”. I have also published work on sexism in dementia research careers.
How is your work funded?
British Heart Foundation
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m Lizzie, based in London and originally from the North Notts-South Yorkshire border (I like to identify as a Northerner but sometimes get called out as being a Midlander). I studied an Integrated Masters in Biosciences (MBiol) for four years at Durham University for my undergraduate degree. I chose modules and projects aligning with my interest in neurobiology, including my literature review on autism and gut microbiota, a six-week funded studentship on retinoid treatment with ALS cell culture, and my masters project on sports post-concussion syndrome in fruit flies. When my academic advisor at Durham asked if I wanted to do a PhD, I didn’t know what PhD meant, but just a few years on, there I was doing it!
My PhD project aimed to characterise disease-associated protein aggregates throughout the time-course of Alzheimer’s disease, using human post-mortem brain samples and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to measure tau aggregate size, shape, number and brain region localisation. Now I work in research impact in the charity sector: my day job involves analysing and communicating the exciting outcomes of research funded by British Heart Foundation.
In my spare time, I continue to lead Women in Neuroscience UK (WiNUK), an initiative I began in February 2022. My fantastic volunteer team produce digital content and events designed to inspire, connect and advocate for female-identifying neuroscientists, with a goal to tackle sexism and gender bias towards more inclusive neuroscience. It’s been amazing to bring to life original events across England, including WiNUK Awards, WiNUK Day and Unconscious Gender Bias in Neuroscience Workshops, helping to build honest spaces for women and allies to share, learn and grow.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I was invited to be an ISTAART Ambassador but the invitation ended up in my junk inbox so I nearly missed the opportunity (and I didn’t believe it was genuine with being in the first year of my PhD)! Helping behind the scenes at AAIC 2022 in San Diego and Neuroscience Next 2023 in London was amazing for meeting dementia researchers from around the world, learning about the research charity sector and building my confidence.
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
My interest in neuroscience sparked from going to the Cambridge Science Festival in 2016; listening to lectures about the brain I became fascinated by its complexity and how much we are still yet to understand. My nanna suffered with dementia for several years, whilst I was in secondary school and sixth form. This encouraged me to understand how dementia arises and whether we can develop more effective treatments. With dementia being England’s leading cause of death, and cases continually rising, this was a huge motivator behind my research.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Push yourself out of your comfort zone and talk to new people. Whether that’s asking to meet with people who inspire you, introducing yourself at academic conferences, talking to the public about your research, or trying a new extracurricular. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but putting yourself out there and reaching out to others will form connections that can benefit you in so many ways.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I’m currently reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith and Foxes Unearthed by Lucy Jones. I also recently got The Lost Girl’s of Autism by Gina Rippon signed at WiNUK Day! Enjoying having more time for hobbies like reading post-PhD.
Favourite film of all time?
I’m a sucker for a wholesome animated film, like Coco.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Hyperfixating on an art project, going for a nature walk, or letting loose at Zumba class.
What’s the best vacation spot?
I love a European city break and was lucky to visit Vienna, Lisbon and Gothenburg for conferences during my PhD.
Can we find you on social media?
Follow @neuron_all on Instagram
Rebecca Williams
