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Harriet Greene
Name:
Harriet Greene
Job title:
PhD Student
Place of work / study:
University of Oxford
Area of Research:
My research focuses on dementia, particularly dementia prevention by studying the effect of vacsular risk factors such as hypertension on the brain.
How is your work funded:
British Heart Foundation (BHF) covers all consumables. Student Finance England loan tuition fees.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a second-year PhD researcher, and I absolutely love my project working on modelling the neurovascular unit in vitro. This research allows me to be creative, to think of new ways to approach biological mechanisms and to collaborate across departments and diseases. Beyond science and academia, I am really interested in biotech start-ups and how to translate science in the lab to a product that will make a tangible difference for patients globally. I try to make the most of what Oxford offers students, from seminars to networking events and career development. My grounding ethos is to always pay kindness foward, so that we can build a supportive, collaborative research community where people feel valued, encouraged, and able to thrive.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I am a scuba diving instructor! The coolest thing I have seen underwater is a humpback whale!
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
Dementia is an unsolved, incredibly complex puzzle. I was 16 when I first met a patient with Alzheimer’s, and I couldn’t understand why there were no effective drugs for AD. I have been researching ever since then, trying to build a small piece of the puzzle so that one day, we might find a solution.
What single piece of advise would you give to an early career researcher?
Do not sleep on your transferable skills. From barista to babysitter, there are so many valuable skills to be gained from disciplines removed from academia that complement your research. Learning how to draw these skills out and apply them can be just as important as learning research techniques.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I am currently reading the Romantic by William Boyd. I am actually re-reading this, as I find when you re read books at different times in your lives you discover a new side to the story! I would reccomend anything by William Boyd.
Favourite film of all time?
The Little Mermaid, ridiculous for a 25 year old but my all time favourite and inspired by love of the sea as a child!
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Podcasts on walk, nature walks with my dog, walks to a coffee shop. Any time outside essentially! I really love cooking on the weekends when I have time whilst listening to country music.
What’s the best decision you ever made?
Taking a shot at Oxford, I was convinced I wouldn’t get in. It changed my life.
What’s your favourite vacation spot?
Corfu, Greece. I did my summer season diving here!
Do you collect anything?
Shells from all over the world.
Dr Becky Carlyle
Dr Yvonne Couch
