Name:
Dr Donald Lyall
Job Title:
Senior Lecturer
Place of work / study:
Area of Research:
Dementia; brain imaging; epidemiology.
How is your research funded:
Research and teaching
Tell us a little about yourself:
I study predictors, mediators and modifiers of cognitive impairment in older age, including dementia. I did my PhD in Edinburgh, and then worked in Baltimore at NIH and Johns Hopkins for a year or two. I then moved to Glasgow, where I am now. My favourite colour is purple, my dog is called Zoe, and my favourite gene is APOE.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I was vice president of the university live music society (including re-election!)
Why did you choose to work in dementia research?
I have done a lot of volunteering, at firstly a school for people with learning disabilities, and secondly a respite care facility (‘Town Break’) and it went upward from there.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
1. The group and culture is very important in a new place, so try to get testimony about somewhere before you move. 2. There’s more to life than academia. 3. Noise cancelling headphones.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Crime by Irvine Welsh, and yes.
Favourite ways to unplug and unwind?
Running, Nintendo Switch.
Favourite film of all time?
Inception; Unforgiven; The Descendants.