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Sara Zsadanyi
Name:
Sára Erzsebet Zsadányi
Job title:
PhD Candidate
Place of work / study:
Sant Pau Memory Unit – Neuroimaging Core and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Area of Research:
Neuroimaging, Down Syndrome, Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer’s Disease
How is your work funded?
I am funded by grants of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Carlos III Health Institute
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a Kiwi all the way on the other side of the world in Barcelona, Spain. I studied psychology and linguistics, but always felt really drawn to neuroscience and especially to Alzheimer’s disease. My research is focused on neuroimaging of small vessel disease in Down Syndrome and autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease. If you can’t find me at the lab, I’m probably out on a hike or curled up with a good book!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
For about a year, I was obsessed with surfing. I also broke someone ELSE’S rib while bailing on a wave that was too big for me. I’m also deathly scared of sharks… so I’m not really sure why I thought that surfing was going to be my sport, but I can see myself surfing the moment I get close to some nice waves again!
Why did you choose to work in dementia?
I lost a grandparent to Alzheimer’s, and also worked in two retirement homes during high school and undergrad, so I know what an impact dementia can have on communities, and hope to make a contribution, big or small, to lessening that impact.
What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?
Soak up all of the training activities, journal clubs, presentations and conferences that you can at the early stage of your career.
What book are you reading right now? Would you recommend it?
Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I’m really enjoying it so far. It dives deep into the turmoil and loss of independence that people with Alzheimer’s feel when they realise that their memory is slipping away.
Dr Clíona Farrell
British Neuroscience Association