I worked as a postgraduate researcher in the ARUK/ UK DRI Drug Discovery Labs at UCL. Under the supervision of Professor David Chambers, Dr Douglas Lopez and Dr Stefano Benvegnu, I worked on a project investigating target validation and assay development in Alzheimer’s Disease. I underwent wet-lab training and learned multiple assay techniques such as transfection and transduction assays, as well as learning Immunocytochemistry staining for fluorescent cell imaging. I learned how to use ImageJ for cell analysis and code for statistical analysis using STATA.

During my time as Admin assistant, the main roles of this job involved answering incoming phone calls (taking queries and speaking to professionals) and entering referrals into a database, Cygnet. Referrals consisted of statutory issues, such as IMCA/ DoLS RPR/ ICAA/ IMHA, as well as community referrals which aided individuals in the Gateshead and Newcastle region of the North east of England with issues such as accessing services (healthcare, mental health, social housing) to supporting individuals through reporting hate crimes of protected characteristics. In addition, I also added referrals for SPOT contracts which were bespoke to the needs of the individual, sometimes regarding Child protection cases or out of area statutory services. I also took queries for other areas of the organisation, for example explaining the support offered for CIC startups, payroll management and HAREF network allies. I also carried out routine tasks, such as creating reports for monitoring, e.g., NPS surveys which were sent out to service-users and professionals on a monthly basis. I also provided support in other areas of general admin tasks such as data entry, redacting client records and organising/ editing documents.

I worked within the multi-disciplined Binding in Neuropsychiatric Disorders (B.I.N.D.) research group, working under my dissertation supervisor and research collaborators. My responsibilities included assisting with the validation of an online cognitive assessment that is suggested to be sensitive to preclinical Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers. I was trained to administer the Addenbrookes Cognitive Exam (ACE-iii) with participants in the study, calculating scores for raw data and collating the data. Additional duties assistance with research dissemination and weekly group meetings. The paper was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) and was published January 2024.

In February 2022, I was awarded a paid research internship by the Widening Participation Fund to work alongside my dissertation supervisor. I worked on an initial project idea in collaboration with my thesis supervisor, Dr Watermeyer, which orientated around Female Brain and Endocrinological Health, specifically what risk and protective factors are important for biological female cognitive health in later life. My responsibilities included assisting on initial literature searches and creating documents for ethical approval.

During my undergraduate degree I provided academic and pastoral support to lower year students on the BSc Psychology degree at Northumbria University. I would regularly communicate with students and provide signposting avenues for potential career development/ training, offer insight into CPD courses which would stand out in CV's for future employment, aid in understanding course module options and would provide academic support for all core modules.