Print This Post
Dr Josh Harvey
Name:
Joshua Harvey
Job title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Place of work / study:
Area of Research:
Epigenomics / Lewy body disease
How is your work funded?
MRC, Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust, ARUK
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a postdoctoral research associate in the Dementia Genomics team in the Complex Disease Epigenetics group at Exeter. My research focusses on investigating gene regulatory and epigenomic changes in neurodegenerative diseases, with particular interest in DNA methylation, microRNAs and spatial molecular profiling methods. I completed my PhD in the group in early 2024, where my project focussed on profiling epigenomic changes in methylation state associated with Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, both in human brain and blood.
I’m particularly interested in how epigenomic profiles can be used to explain inter-individual heterogeneity within disease and how people with the same base condition display different neuropathological and clinical characteristics. I now work on an ARUK funded project looking into early onset familial Alzheimer’s disease, with a focus on micro-RNA profiles in the brain and how they may differ between familial and sporadic (late-onset) Alzheimer’s. Prior to my PhD, I worked for Eli Lilly & Co. as a histopathologist characterizing mouse models of neurodegenerative disease.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
Although I sound very British, I’m actually half Canadian and grew up in South Africa. My many years in the UK now have meant I’ve lost any hint of an accent though…
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
Although I have a lot of family affected by dementia, getting into the field was actually a mix of circumstance and a set of great mentors. I was fortunate to land a job out of undergrad in a neurodegenerative research lab and quickly developed an interest in the field as I learned about the fantastic work going on. This, paired with a number of supervisors who fostered my development and encouraged me to continue in research mean I don’t plan on changing field anytime soon.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Things take time and everyone’s “research journey” will be different. It’s easy to compare yourself to peers who are doing exciting things and putting out impactful research. I always try to keep in my mind that those shiny people always have their stories of projects hitting speed bumps, grant rejections and general low periods. Almost everyone will have had imposters syndrome (if not currently then at some point in their career) so try to focus on your own journey and development.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I just finished Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, which is now a favourite of mine. It’s this weird surreal story about a man living in a flooded labyrinth and it develops in ways you wouldn’t expect…
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
I really like cooking something new or going for a run to destress. If I’m feeling lazy though I might play a few hours of Elden Ring.
Favourite film of all time?
Inside Llewyn Davies / Princess Mononoke
