Q&A with Dementia MSc graduate Dicky Lim
Dicky Lim recently completed an MSc Dementia: Causes, Treatment, and Research (now called Dementia: from Neuroscience to Clinical Practice MSc).
Dicky Lim recently completed an MSc Dementia: Causes, Treatment, and Research (now called Dementia: from Neuroscience to Clinical Practice MSc).
What inspired you to choose the MSc Dementia course at UCL?
I was 16 years old when my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. At the time, I didn't know what the condition was or what 'dementia' really meant. Looking back, the signs were quite obvious long before the formal diagnosis, and perhaps we would've sought help earlier if only we knew what Alzheimer's disease was. My motivation to study the MSc Dementia course is partly because I wanted to understand more about a condition that has deeply affected my family, but also because I find the field itself incredibly intriguing; there are still a lot of unknowns in dementia research. Many researchers at UCL have pioneered much of the ongoing work—and I wanted to be at the forefront of where these discoveries are made.
Can you share what you enjoyed most about the course?
I really enjoyed the fact that the course brought together fellow students and more senior researchers in our shared interest in dementia! I was also incredibly grateful for the opportunities to ask questions and initiate discussions with lecturers about their areas of expertise, which can give a broader picture of how topics relate to each other in neurology. Personally, some of my fondest memories in the course come from interacting with my coursemates in the group sessions; I cherished all the moments when I could socialise and ‘geek-out’ over our projects. It feels as if the relatively small cohort size of the MSc Dementia (Neuroscience) course creates an intimacy and rapport that simply couldn't be achieved with larger courses.
What were your course highlights?
For me, the research project was the biggest highlight of the course. I enjoyed my dissertation topic of protein biomarkers in Huntington's disease, learning new research skills, and meeting more experienced postdocs and research assistants in the lab. Undergoing interviews (and even some mock assessments!) to select our dissertation topics was stressful in the moment, but in hindsight, were valuable lessons to prepare us for the job search after our degree. I found that the symposium organised by the MSc Dementia course tutor was almost like the culmination of my hard work, in which I could deliver a presentation of my findings in a research conference setting. It was undoubtedly one of my proudest moments on the course! I also appreciated all the lived experience sessions with dementia patients and caregivers which gave us a thought-provoking window into the real-life impact of the conditions we were studying.
Can you say a bit more about the Research Assistant post at Queen Mary University that you’ve secured following the completion of your Master’s?
I'm working on a project evaluating the utility of digital auditory biomarkers to support the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in NHS memory clinics. Research has suggested that dementia pathologies cause changes in hearing ability, with recent work indicating that performance on some hearing tests may support the diagnosis of dementia. I'll be assisting in recruiting participants for the study, administering a series of hearing tests on digital platforms (e.g., computers, tablets), and analysing the data in relation to neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers. I'm really excited to start since it brings together my research interests in investigating biomarkers, cognition, and dementia. I'm especially looking forward to learning more about auditory tests and developing a strong research network with colleagues from both QMUL and UCL!
What do you hope to go on to do in the future?
I feel like I'm currently at a crossroads, and I'm happy to see where life takes me from this point onwards. The most likely path would be carrying on with academia, in which my next steps would be to develop my research skills before applying for a PhD and continuing with other research roles at academic institutions. I'd love to specialise in investigating biomarkers or other cognitive tests that may support the early diagnosis of dementia. I'm also interested in pursuing clinical neuropsychology, which uses cognitive tests in the assessment and rehabilitation of patients with neurological conditions. Alternatively, I could consider transitioning into the clinical research industry by making use of my neuroscience research background for biotech or pharmaceutical companies. Regardless, I'm set on exploring any career options that would let me stay involved with neurodegenerative diseases and dementia!
What advice would you give students about to embark on the MSc Dementia course?
My most important advice for students about to enter the MSc Dementia (Neuroscience) course is to be thorough with your research project selection! Take time to consider where your research interests lie, what skills you want to learn, and the researchers you'd like to work with. The experiences offered by your supervisor or research lab can really determine the outcome of your dissertation, and it's important to establish expectations and the level of support before starting your project. Although a bit of a cliché, another piece of career advice that has helped me was networking: reach out to researchers for any voluntary research positions, keep in touch with your research project members and fellow students, and chat with alumni or senior researchers if you need any advice on what to do next. My last piece of advice would be to enjoy the course! This past year has been such a memorable academic experience and I hope that future students with a similar passion in dementia would love this course as much as I did.