Rose Overton, a Laidlaw Scholar at the University of St Andrews, explores the link between female reproductive health and dementia.
Research Title:
The UK Biobank: what can it tell us about female reproductive factors and dementia risk?
I’ve conducted a literature review of research that uses data from the UK Biobank to investigate female reproductive factors as potential risk factors for dementia. There are currently over 944,000 people in the UK living with dementia, with women at a greater risk than men regardless of their increased life expectancy. The number of cases is increasing every year with significant personal and economic burdens, and there are currently no widely available cures.
The UK Biobank is therefore a fascinating resource: a biobank containing data from almost 500,000 volunteers recruited from 2006 to 2010, with lifestyle information, medical history and limited medical imaging. Researchers have used this as a valuable prospective cohort study, providing insight into risk factors or exposures that may increase dementia incidence later in life. In particular, it provides a range of information about female reproductive factors, such as cumulative lifetime estrogen exposure or history of HRT use, which may provide insight into why more women have dementia than men. Collating the knowledge this has garnered so far allows evaluation of what else may need investigating, and the questions and trends future researchers should be using.
Unfortunately, the UK Biobank does not distinguish or define “woman” or “female” in its original data, and rising literature uses the terms interchangeably, therefore excluding reference to any non-binary or transgender people who took part in the original study.
Where did your passion for this research originate?
I came upon my research topic almost by chance, as I had originally intended to apply for a pre-defined project relating to early diagnosis. I was late in contacting the supervisor, however, and he instead referred me to my current supervisor who gave me some suggestions for a more flexible self-defined project, including investigating what the UK Biobank has told us so far about dementia. The female reproductive factors angle came much later, when due to the sheer quantity of research out there I was required to focus on a specific factor in relation to dementia.
As I describe in my blog, dementia is a condition that I’ve long been aware of, as both my paternal grandparents have been diagnosed with it. My grandad, who died in 2017, had early onset dementia for about as long as I knew him and so his care and changing brain were prominent in my childhood. Along with my own experiences of healthcare, I think it was witnessing this throughout my life that inspired me to apply for medicine, as it’s a condition that really demonstrates the limitations of modern drugs and social care. I’m also deeply aware of the emotional toll this all took on the rest of my family, and so any means of being able to contribute to knowledge in this field and increase my own understanding of it is incredible.
Me and my grandparents in 2009, 3 years before my grandad moved into a care home.
What is the most memorable moment from your Laidlaw scholarship experience so far?
Thanks to my supervisor, I was able to attend the Evidence-Based Early Diagnosis Conference 2024 at the beginning of my research summer. I loved this experience as I was able to meet academics and engage with them as peers for the first time, finding more out about post-doctoral research and the range of careers open to me. I was amazed at the diversity of expertise present at what I initially thought was quite a niche event and the many research methods they used. I was working as a student volunteer at the event, too, which was a fascinating insight into how a conference is run, as it was my first attendance at one. I was able to meet other students conducting similar research, all of which motivated me to begin my own research the day after the conference ended. We were even given the opportunity to briefly present, which was a great experience as I’m giving an oral presentation about my research at the National Undergraduate Research Conference at Dundee University in mid-September. It’s good to have some confidence that I am capable of speaking at an event like this!
What is the biggest challenge you came across in your research and leadership journeys so far, and what did you learn from it?
As strange as it sounds, the biggest challenge I’ve come across so far in my Laidlaw journey (now at the end of my first summer) was finding a suitable research topic. I love my course and have always had a vague idea that I’d like to go into academia somewhere down the line, but finding a subject that I could spend six weeks investigating was incredibly challenging. I was applying at the end of my very first semester of university, a year earlier than most Laidlaw scholars here, and I felt as if I didn’t know enough about medicine to choose something that was relatively complex and yet relevant to me. Even looking through the available pre-defined questions was daunting, as I was unfamiliar with the vast majority of the scientific terms. Finding myself on a self-defined research project came as a surprise, therefore, but I’m glad I found the confidence to choose for myself as I think it made me more engaged and motivated to conduct thorough research, and I’ve been able to share it with people close to me who might also be interested in it.
Which particular leaders inspire you the most and why?
I think I’m most inspired by leaders who leave a personal impression on me, rather than admiring them as an icon or distant figures. For example, my former ballet teacher ran the dance school, directed and choreographed the annual shows, and managed her staff, and yet knew me from the age of 3 and was curious about what Highers I was doing at school. I really value personal connection and trust in any relationship, and so am impressed when this is combined with a leadership role.
My former headteacher is another example of this: in the space of a few years she altered a lot about our small school in its recovery from lockdown, but did so in a way that involved students: she attended every pupil council meeting and engaged in debate with us about our ideas, allowing us to feel that we had a meaningful input into the change that was being initiated. As someone who is not naturally outgoing, I’m not planning to emulate a leader who gives large speeches or manages a company, but I’d rather be personally inspiring and engaging, involved in projects and initiatives that mean something to me and people I care about.
What does it mean for you to be a Laidlaw Scholar?
For me, being a Laidlaw Scholar means opportunity. I’ve had experiences this summer that, starting university a year ago, I would never have imagined: I’ve developed confidence, I’ve met so many other students from different years and courses, I’ve had the chance to explore a subject I’m interested in and I’ve produced a piece of work I’m proud of. Other scholars I’ve spoken to have had much the same, whether it’s travelling or conducting experiments in a lab. I could not have had such a great time without being a Laidlaw Scholar, and I’m excited to see what opportunities the next year brings!
Summer in St Andrews (a rare sight). . .
Briefly describe a scene from the future you are striving to create.
I love the NHS and am excited to know that I’m going to be working for it one day. I am, however, keenly aware of the inequalities that exist in healthcare delivery and access not just in the UK, but globally. I hope to be able to contribute to an NHS that is better funded and equipped to deal with patients in a suitable and timely manner so that healthcare free at the point of delivery is available and accessible to everyone in this country who needs it. Similarly, I want to be part of creating a future where treatment and healthcare are distributed more fairly to where it is needed the most, less dependent on the wealth of a nation or individuals within it.
It’s a memoir about her experiences in the First World War, and I have a beautiful copy from 1935 in which previous readers have scribbled their own comments and reflections in the margins.
Celebrating my last day at my waitressing summer job!
If you want to learn more about Rose's work, explore Rose's research here and follow her on LinkedIn. Roseis a Laidlaw Undergraduate Leadership and Research Scholar at the@University of St Andrews. Become a Laidlaw Scholar to conduct a research project of your choice, develop your leadership skills, and join a global community of changemakers from world-leading universities.
Please sign in
If you are a registered user on Laidlaw Scholars Network, please sign in