"It was a golden ticket for me to get started. The fellowship provided a perfect stepping stone."

Dr Neil Graham, Speciality Registrar in Neurology

A significant head injury can increase a patient’s risk of developing dementia by around 50 per cent. But it can be difficult for clinicians to predict who is likely to be affected.

Dr Neil Graham’s research, which began with a one-year fellowship at Imperial, aims to improve the diagnosis of brain injuries and post-injury problems so that effective treatments can be identified to improve recovery.

It involves using blood biomarkers and advanced imaging equipment to assess brain shrinkage – a hallmark of dementia – in patients who have experienced a significant head injury.

The funding enabled Neil to establish his research project, before moving on to a PhD fellowship the following year.

“It was a golden ticket for me to get started,” he said. “If you don’t have a lot of preliminary data or full-time research experience, it can be very hard to get a three-year fellowship, which is what you need to set up a programme like this.

“The fellowship provided a perfect stepping stone. Without that opportunity I’m not sure I would be in the position I am today.”

Inspired by Neil's research story? Find out how you can apply for a fellowship to support your own research project