The research team

Senior Research Manager

James' background

I grew up near Hampton Court in Surrey, before going to university in Cambridge. As an undergraduate, I studied Natural Sciences at Queen's College and then completed a Ph.D. in pharmacology looking at how the pancreas works during the digestion. Working for the Alzheimer's Society is my third job since completing my Ph.D. four years ago; I have previously worked as an editor at a scientific journal and for another medical charity Diabetes UK.

Role at Alzheimer's Society

As the Research grants officer, I am responsible for ensuring that the research supported by the charity is selected in a fair and transparent way, and that it has the greatest chance of improving the lives of people with dementia, their carers and families. I also provide support to the researchers funded by the charity, and make sure that discoveries arising from funded research are broadcast as widely as possible to maximise the impact they can have in society.  

Why Alzheimer's and dementia?

I became aware of the issues in dementia after being involved in producing a government report which highlighted the need for better and earlier diagnosis of dementia and the drastic underfunding available for dementia research. I am very fortunate to be able to say that I have not been faced with caring for a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. However, I see how devastating a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is and I hope to make a difference to those people and families that are cruelly touched by it.

Interests outside of work

I am a budding sportsman and have previously been a rugby player, rower, triathlete, cyclist and netballer. My current fad is running. I am training for the London marathon and have plans to complete a string of other races around the world in future - New York, Paris, Berlin perhaps even the North Pole!