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Staff Profile

Staff Profile

Dr Riona McArdle

Research Associate

Background

Background

I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2014 from Maynooth University, Ireland. My research project was supervised by Dr Richard Roche, and entitled "Investigating the effects of background noise on working memory performance".

I was awarded my Master's Degree in Foundations of Clinical Neuropsychology in 2015 from Bangor University, Wales. My research project was supervised by Professor Charles Leek and entitled: "The effects of non-pharmacological intervention on motor rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease".

In 2019, I completed my PhD in Neuroscience at Newcastle University under the supervision of Professor Lynn Rochester, Professor Alan Thomas and Dr Brook Galna. My thesis was entitled "What can gait analysis tell us about dementia and its subtypes? An integrated study of brain and behaviour". During my PhD, I set up and managed the "GaitDem" study, investigating the gait and cognitive profiles of 125 people with different types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease and Vascular dementia, and older adult controls. 

Since 2019, I have been a Research Associate at the Translational and Clinical Research Institute of Newcastle University in the Brain and Movement (BAM) Research Group led by Prof. Lynn Rochester. My key research focus is regarding the potential applications of wearable technology and gait analysis for clinical use and clinical trial endpoints.

Areas of expertise: Digital Health, Wearable Technology, Gait, Neurodegenerative diseases, Ageing, Cognition, Dementia, Mobility 

 

Researchgate profile


Google Scholar profile

 

Education and Training

2020

Policy Fellow on the Newcastle University Policy Fellows Programme 

I was awarded a place on the Policy Fellows Programme, where I am learning about translating research to policy.

 

2019

Action for Impact Training Course

I was awarded a place on the Action for Impact Training Course in collaborating with Newcastle University and Northern Accelerator. During this course, I learned how to make my research and myself as a research more impactful in terms of promoting my work, thinking like an entrepreneur and developing meaningful research programmes.

 

PhD in Neuroscience, Newcastle University

  • Thesis: “What can gait analysis tell us about dementia and its subtypes? An integrated study of brain and behaviour.”
  • Supervisors: Prof. Lynn Rochester, Prof. Alan Thomas, Dr. Brook Galna.
  • Set-up and managed the “GaitDem” study, looking at gait analysis in 125 people with different dementia subtypes and older adult controls.
  • Conducted all cognitive and gait assessments.
  • Responsible for data management and analysis.

 

2015

Master of Science (MSc) in Foundations of Clinical Neuropsychology -

Bangor University

•           Awarded a distinction

•           Dissertation: “The effects of non-pharmacological intervention on motor rehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease.”

•           Supervisors: Prof. Charles Leek

 

2014

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology - Maynooth University

·         Awarded a 2:1

·         Dissertation: “Investigating the effects of background noise on working memory performance.”

·         Supervisors: Dr. Richard Roche

 

Awards

2019
Newcastle University’s Academic Development Scholarship, £3750- full award covering maintenance stipend for three months.

 

2018

Winner of the Insights Public Lecture Prize/Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences Public Speaking Award (May 2018).

 

2016

•           Alzheimer’s Society Doctoral Training Centre Studentship – full award covering tuition fees, research funding and annual stipend of £16,000 for 3 years

 

Funding


Travel Grants

 

2019

Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund, Newcastle University, £3127 – supporting attendance at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019, Los Angeles

Alzheimer’s Research UK Travel Grant award, £630 – supporting attendance at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2019, Los Angeles

Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund, Newcastle University, £1171 – supporting attendance at the International Society of Posture and Gait Research International Congress 2019, Edinburgh.

Alzheimer’s Research UK Travel Grant award, £1600 – supporting attendance at the International Lewy Body Dementia Conference 2019, Las Vegas

 

2018

Guarantors of Brain Travel Grant award, £1000 – supporting attendance at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2018, Chicago

Institute of Ageing Newcastle University Travel Grant award, £214 – supporting attendance at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2018, Chicago

Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University Travel Grant award, £1000 – supporting attendance at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2018, Chicago

Alzheimer’s Research UK Travel Grant award, £800 – supporting attendance at the Alzheimer’s Research UK Annual Conference 2018, London

 

2017

Alzheimer’s Research UK Travel Grant award, £800 – supporting attendance at the International Society of Posture and Gait Research World Congress 2017, Florida

 

 

 

 

 

Research

Research Interests

My research interests relate to neurodegenerative disorders, particularly dementia, cognitive processes, human movement and mobility, and applications of technology to diagnosis and care.

In particular, I am interested in improving the quality of life and diagnostic outcomes of people with dementia by developing clinical markers for earlier, more accurate diagnosis of dementia subtype, and by understanding how we can empower people with dementia to maintain their independence through service provision, education or application of technology in care.

I am currently working as a Research Associate in the Brain and Movement (BAM) Research Group led by Prof. Lynn Rochester at the Translational and Clinical Research Institute of Newcastle University. I am currently involved in data management, processing and analysis of wearable technology data on multi-site clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease “Exenatide-PD.”

I conducted the GaitDem study between 2015-2019, investigating the potential applications of wearable technology and gait analysis to dementia diagnosis and disease monitoring. Findings from this study have been published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, and Gerontology.

Peer Reviews

I am a peer reviewer for the following journals:

  • Journal of Alzheimer’s disease
  • Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
  • American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
  • SAGE Open
  • Experimental Gerontology
  • Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
  • European Geriatric Medicine
  • BMC Health Services Research
  •  Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.
Teaching

Current Teaching

  • Essay Supervisor and marker for “PSY1001: Psychological Inquiry” module, BSc Psychology, Newcastle University. Module leader: Dr. Amy Fielden.
  • Mentor for the NIHR BRC Doctoral Trainees.
  • Supervisor for MRes in Neuroscience and BScs in Biomedical Sciences,  Sports Science and Physiology, Newcastle University

Past Teaching

PhD Tutor for the Brilliant Club.  Designed and delivered the following courses for high school students:

  1. "Mind your step: what can walking tell us about the brain?" (KS4; March-May 2016)
  2. "Dementia: One size doesn't fit all" (KS4, June -September 2016)
  3. "Watch your step: How does the brain influence walking?" (KS4; March - May 2017)
  4. "Walking and the brain" (KS5; October 2017 - January 2018)

"Watch your step: How does the brain influence walking?" (KS4; October 2017 - January 2018)

Publications