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Dr Amy Lloyd
Name:
Dr Amy Lloyd
Job Title:
Race Against Dementia – ARUK Fellow
Place of work / study:
University of Dundee
Area of Research:
My area of research focuses on using mass spectrometry and proteomics to characterise microglia responses in health and disease. I have a particular interest in understanding the early responses of microglia in Alzheimer’s Disease, and want to uncover how and why microglia phenotypes and functions change throughout disease progression.
How is your research funded:
Race Against Dementia – Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellowship
Tell us a little about yourself:
My interests have always been centred around microglia and their roles in both neuroprotection and neurodegeneration. My PhD focused on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin microglia function in remyelination. In order for efficient remyelination to take place, microglia undergo drastic phenotypic reprogramming to aid the initial clearance of myelin debris and recruitment of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, and then later to promote oligodendrocyte maturation and remyelination.
I then moved to Dundee to develop skills in mass spectrometry and proteomics to dive deeper into the molecular identity of microglia phenotypes and use this technology to characterise their responses to Alzheimer’s Disease. Thanks to Race Against Dementia and ARUK, I am now establishing my independence in Dundee to further address the role of microglia in neurodegeneration.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I play netball as GK/GD for two teams in two competitive leagues. When I’m not playing netball I’m either crocheting or baking. I also have a rescue greyhound called Percy.
Why did you choose to work in dementia:
During my undergraduate studies I was also a health care assistant working with people with dementia. I saw first hand the devastation that these diseases cause for those living with it and their families. I knew from then that I wanted to be involved in researching neurodegeneration.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Be kind to yourself. Find things you enjoy to do outside of work that will carry you through the tougher times in research. Always ask for help!
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
I am half way through the first book in the Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson. Although it has taken me a year as I never find the time, but so far so good!
