Development of a digital behavioural intervention to reduce dementia risk in ageing adults

The interaction between behaviour and dementia has been my core research interest since interning at Dusseldorf's HHU University Clinical Neuroscience department and studying the effects of exercise in Parkinson's disease dementia. This inspired me to undertake the UCL Psychology MSci and having developed my research interest, skill and professional experiences, I wish to pursue digital health strategies in dementia prevention.

This iCASE DPhil closely aligns with my research interests and I am interested by its prospects of addressing international strategy for innovation in dementia prevention (e.g. WHO Global Action Plan). Outcomes will be evidence-based, person-centred, cost-effective and scalable, thereby facilitating healthier lives and I find this deeply motivating. Importantly, prevention and mitigation of adverse side-effects remain crucial in a holistic strategy alongside emergent pharmacological therapies.

I have focused my studies on dementia from molecular to psychological domains and my proficiency in these areas is evidenced by First-class course grading in Neurobiology of Neurodegenerative Disease, Cognitive Neuroscience, Human Memory and provisionally in the psychiatry module: Current Research in Dementia. I work hard to develop strong analytical skills, demonstrated by a First in Advanced Multivariate Statistics, and am furthering this with advanced modelling and deep learning modules.

My work as a research assistant in Professor Spiers' Spatial Cognition Lab over the last two years, funded by two research scholarships, has prepared me for a DPhil in multiple ways. I now think and work independently and my current study on hippocampal processing has been described as beyond 'Master's Degree level'. In a previous study developing a user interface to improve memory performance (in collaboration with Google Maps), I developed skills relevant to this project, namely applying theoretical
findings to real-world interventions and academic entrepreneurship.

In terms of professional experience, for example as UCL Boat Club President and previously Welfare Officer, I am experienced in health-focused task delivery and management, which will help me collaborate efficiently with the team and Five Lives. Work at Microsoft allowed me to realise digital health's future; meanwhile, in hosting the #MadeAtUCL podcast, I develop science communication skills, essential to educating participants of remote digital interventions.

Reflecting on my studies and professional experiences, I enjoy translating research into evidence-based services. The greatest challenge will be creatively achieving meaningful long-term participant engagement. Interrogation of rich datasets and collaboration with subject experts will create opportunities to tailor intervention to individual differences, such as cultural context, geography and financial means. Due to the impact this project could have, it would be fulfilling to be part of a team developing the intervention and
later demonstrating that we supported at-risk individuals at the right time.

Dementia is our greatest public health problem and now is the time to unlock the power of digital interventions. I hope to apply my academic and professional learning, whilst working skilfully with the team to deliver a feasible and impactful solution. Contributing to reducing dementia is an exciting challenge in which I aim to develop skills to carry forward into a career in digital health.