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Yasmin Bonsu, University of Oxford & University Manchester

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26/03/2024

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Yasmin Bonsu

Name:

Yasmin Bonsu

Job Title:

Undergraduate Placement Student

Place of work / study:

Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics and Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford

Area of Research:

Neuronal Resilience in Alzheimer’s.

How is your research funded:

Alzheimer’s Research UK

Tell us a little about yourself:

I am an undergraduate student from the University of Manchester currently undertaking a placement year at Carlyle Lab at Oxford University. With the guidance of my supervisor and mentor, Dr. Becky Carlyle and Amelia Smith, I have been investigating the activity of proteoforms of the granin family in cortical neurons insulted with oligomerised amyloid beta. My goal is to finish my placement year, earn my bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, and then pursue a PhD in clinical neuroscience.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself:

This was a challenge to think of but a fun fact about me is that I was an Army Cadet at the ages of 13-17. I will always remember the unique experiences I had as an Army Cadet, including learning how to kayak and how to survive in the field without my priceless electronics!

Why did you choose to work in dementia research?

As a complex neurological disorder, shedding light on the various biomarkers of interest to look out for comes a long way when it comes to the early diagnosis of and treating people with dementia. Having said that, I find that working in the field of dementia research is a rewarding career choice since it allows me to explore the mechanisms of neuronal resilience to amyloid beta pathology which may one day benefit patients in maintaining their cognitive function and regaining some sense of self against Alzheimer’s disease.

What single piece of advice would you give to an early career researcher?

As an undergraduate student I see myself looking up to early career researchers therefore, the advice I would give is to never give up. Their journey on how they have become a postdoc, PhD student or a research assistant motivates me to do the same – especially when I see ethnic minorities excel in the academic field.