River Rea

PhD in Brain function in People with Parkinson’s

Research Centre: Health, Psychology and Communities

Faculty: Health, Psychology and Social Care

I am a second year PhD student in the Neuroscience of Ageing and Impaired Mobility Lab, within the Department of Psychology. My research involves using brain imaging and measurement techniques to study the structure and function of the brain in people with Parkinson’s disease, and how this relates to impairments to cognitive functions, walking and risk of falling over. I’m a full-time student funded through a University studentship.

What motivated you to do a PhD?

After completing my undergraduate degree in advertising and branding at Manchester Met, I decided to go to Australia to travel and work. During this time, I became increasingly interested in Psychology and after lots of reading, I decided that I would like to study the subject more formally. I applied for a Master’s conversion course in Psychology, which was accredited by the British Psychological Society. During my studies, I developed an interest in the brain and how it controls movement and so for my research project, I used EEG (electroencephalography) to measure brain activity during a movement preparation. I really enjoyed the research aspect of the course and I wanted to continue to learn more, so I began to look for PhD opportunities in this area.

Why did you choose Manchester Met?

I had two main criteria when searching for a PhD. The first was the opportunity to pick up skills in brain imaging and measurement techniques, the second was for the PhD to be funded. I found the ideal project advertised on the Manchester Met website. I was lucky to get a studentship, which acts as a liveable wage. Now I don’t have to worry about working alongside my PhD, so I can dedicate all my time to my studies.

What are the best things about doing your PhD at Manchester Met?

I have been lucky that the team I work with in my lab is cross-disciplinary. My Director of Studies is an expert in neuroscience and Parkinson’s disease and I also have colleagues who work in physiology and sports science, so it is a good mix of shared expertise and knowledge. We all get along and it’s a nice research community to be in. 

As part of my PhD I am helping on a research project funded by the Wellcome Trust and this will contribute to my research and thesis. It’s exciting to be part of a big project and to learn more about external funding and conducting research with real impact.

How would you describe the training and development you have received?

The training I’ve received has been great. My lab offers a range of training and events. I have attended two major conferences so far; it is great to see and hear the speakers whose work you have read and cited. I have also been able to develop additional skills, for example, I have been learning to code. This is a valuable skill for researchers and will strengthen my application when it comes to looking for postgraduate positions after my PhD. My supervisors are able to support me with these areas of development.

I was shortlisted for the final of the Three Minute Thesis. The main reason for taking part is to learn how to communicate my research to lay audiences, to people who don’t know anything about the subject. It has helped me formulate my ideas and organise them. I tried to make my presentation engaging and use humour and storytelling. By videoing and watching myself talk about my research, I can see what may be unclear and how I come across. I look at my work slightly differently as a result.

What are your aspirations for your PhD?

My aim is to stay in research and academia. My hope is that once I have completed my PhD, I will find a postdoc position, either in the lab I’m in now or another lab working in this area of research. 

My work will hopefully contribute to a shared body of knowledge in the area of Parkinson’s disease. This is a fascinating subject for me. It’s closely linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s research and there are huge societal issues in this area. I would like to stay in this and make an impact with my research.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of doing a PhD?

Make sure the project you apply for is aligned to what you are interested in. You have to be really invested in it and become an expert in this niche area.

Doing a PhD takes a lot of discipline. Every day you are presented with new challenges and you need to adapt to them. See challenges as opportunities and use them to drive you forward.

Check out the supervisory team; you want your supervisors to be actively involved in research and publishing papers. If you want to stay in academia, you need to publish papers and become established so it is best if you’re in a team that has projects running, and where they can support your ideas too.

Would you recommend Manchester Met as a place to do a PhD?

My experience at Manchester Met so far has been amazing. I would definitely recommend it. The growing investment and focus on research in the University is really good and we will be competing with other research-focussed institutions.