Siân Gregory
Name:
Siân Gregory
Job title:
Research Lead
Place of work / study:
Alzheimer’s Society
Area of Research:
I am responsible for Alzheimer’s Society’s research funding programmes and how we involve people with lived experience of dementia in our research funding programme and processes.
Tell us a little about yourself:
My career in research started in academia, working on clinical grade pluripotent stem cell lines which could be used therapeutically. After leaving the lab, I joined Alzheimer’s Society 8 years ago, first working in research fundraising and later research communications. As a person affected by dementia and former carer myself, I am committed to funding the highest quality, most impactful dementia research and ensuring that the voices of people living with dementia also shape the research that we fund.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
When not talking about dementia research in my day job you will most likely find me lifting weights in the gym!
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
My dad Noel lived with early onset Alzheimer’s disease and more recently my grandad Tom lived with vascular dementia and my nana Marilyn is currently living with mixed dementia. Everything I do is for them.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early-career researcher?
Take every opportunity you can to practice your lay research communication skills. You’ll never know just how much of a difference bringing your research to life makes.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton – an absolute classic!
Favourite film of all time?
Gladiator
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Weightlifting and long walks in the woods with my two rescue greyhounds
What’s the best decision you ever made?
Giving myself permission to enjoy the things which mean the most to me
What’s your favourite vacation spot?
Greece – lots of beautiful beaches and lots of history to explore
Do you collect anything?
Fossils
NIHR
Nature Careers Blog
Heather Wilkinson