An extract of the CV for Emily Connell Neuroscientist
Certain personal information will not be shown on this website for security reasons, but a full curriculum vitae can be supplied upon application
Education
| 2020 – Present | PhD “Investigating the gut brain connections in early cognitive decline and dementia.” University of East Anglia, Norwich Medical School, Norwich, England |
| Supervised by Dr Vauzour and Pr Müller- due for submission by September 2024. | |
| “My research investigates changes in the microbiota-gut-brain axis in early cognitive decline and dementia and developing novel nutritional strategies to delay age-related cognitive decline. The project combines targeted metabolomics, machine learning analysis, statistical analysis, RNA sequencing and mouse models to identify novel gut derived risk factors and mechanisms underlying the early identification and prevention of dementia.” | |
| 2016 – 2020 | BSc (Hons) 2:1 Biology with Professional Placement, University of Bath, Somerset, England. |
| Modules included Cell & Molecular Biology, Practical molecular Biology, Genetics, Concepts in Evolution, Ecology & Evolution, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Infection & Immunity, Genomics, Behaviour & Ecology, Practical, Research & Academic skills, Data Interpretation. | |
| 2009 – 2016 | Darrick Wood Secondary School & Sixth Form, Orpington, England |
| A-Levels: Biology (A), Psychology (A), Mathematics (B), Extended Project Qualification (A*), Geography AS (A) |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
| 2020 – Present | University of East Anglia, Norwich Medical School, England. |
| PhD “Investigating the gut brain connections in early cognitive decline and dementia.” | |
| 2017 – 2020 | University of Bath, Somerset, England Research Assistant |
| “I investigated the influence of evolutionary divergence between two subspecies of mice on protein metabolism. This consisted of comparing faecal protein composition to 16S rRNA and rDNA pyro-sequenced caecal mucosa-associated bacterial community. During this time, I developed my scientific writing, presenting and viva style defence skills”. | |
| 2018-2019 | University of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, USA – Translational Neurotrauma Research Associate |
| “For a year I worked full time assisting various projects within Dr Thomas’ translational neurotrauma lab: (1) developing a novel technique to record circuit function after traumatic brain injury using in vivo electrochemistry (& local field potentials) in a rodent model; (2) 3D reconstruction of a rodent brain using MicroBrightField Bioscience software, to cryosection, scan and 3D reconstruct both sham and injured brains; (3) analysing evoked glutamate release and clearance after traumatic brain injury using in vivo electrochemistry.” | |
| 2016-2017 | Unicorn Primary School, Beckenham, London, England – Administrative Assistant |
| “My duties included various administrative tasks such as; filing, using an array of computer software including SIMS and Microsoft Word to update pupil records, handling and counting money and interacting with the parents and children.” | |
| Summer 2015 | Shadowing at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Laboratory and Research, Ashford, Kent, England |
| “I was given the opportunity to shadow various researchers and pharmacologists within all departments of the lab, from research through to manufacturing including patenting and distribution. I learned valuable practical skills, including the importance of accuracy and analysing data within a laboratory setting.” |
VOLUNTEERING
| Norwich Science Festival | I volunteered to help run the Alzheimer’s disease research stand at Norwich Science Festival, Norwich, England in 2020. This included talking to the general public about the latest exciting research taking place in the AD field and help them understand a bit more about the neurodegenerative disease. This included talking to parents and children, hearing their experiences and was a great way to bring to scientific community and public together. |
| Hospital Receptionist | I was part of a friendly team running the front reception desk at St Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA in 2018 and 2019 including checking patients in and out of the hospital and escorting them by wheelchair to and from their rooms. This developed my interpersonal skills by interacting with patients and gaining a greater understanding of the wide range of conditions and treatments available to patients. |
| Rough Science Club | I volunteered to help run a ‘Rough Science Club’ at Darrick Wood School, Orpington, England, in 2016 for pupils between ages 12-16. This consisted of organising interesting practical experiments that the children would not cover in their school curriculum, developing my planning, self-confidence and presentation skills. |
AWARDS
| 1st Place ‘Best Oral Presentation’ at 3rd International Conference on Food Bioactive & Health, Parma, Italy (21st – 24th June 2022). Title: ‘Microbial-derived metabolites as a composite risk factor of cognitive decline and dementia’ |
| 1st Place ‘Best Poster Presentation’ at ILSI 4th Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain, Lisbon, Portugal (25th-26th August 2022). Title: ‘Circulatory metabolite signatures as a composite risk factor of cognitive decline and dementia’ |
| 1st Place ‘Best Three Minute Thesis Presentation’ at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Conference, Norwich. Title: ‘Microbial-derived metabolites: an unexplored risk factor of age-related cognitive decline and dementia’ |
LICENSES
| Personal License (PIL- A, B &C) | Biosafety Training (2018-Present) |
| NIHR Good Clinical Practice Training | Chemical Safety Training (2018-Present) |
| Proficient in R (v3.6.3) and Orange Machine Learning | Full UK Driving License |