To mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the UK DRI has teamed up with Race Against Dementia, to spotlight three UK DRI Emerging Leaders who are also Race Against Dementia Fellows: Dr Aitana Sogorb-Esteve (UK DRI at UCL), Dr Maura Malpetti (UK DRI at Cambridge), and Dr Claire Durrant (UK DRI at Edinburgh). We spoke to the researchers to learn more about their science, their ultimate ambitions and the individuals who inspire them.
Race Against Dementia is a charity founded by three-time world champion racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, after his wife, Helen, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. The charity raises funds to speed up efforts towards finding a cure for dementia through collaborations between industry and scientific experts.
Dr Aitana Sogorb-Esteve
Dr Aitana Sogorb-Esteve’s research is focused on finding tools for earlier detection of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which can be difficult to diagnose. Dr Sogorb-Esteve aims to develop tests to detect the presence of proteins in the brain, known as biomarkers, that are indicative of the disease. Her biggest ambition is to develop a biomarker test that allows for a personalised diagnosis of rare types of dementia.
Aitana became a UK DRI Emerging Leader and Race Against Dementia Fellow in 2021. She says:
“Race Against Dementia is a very unique Fellowship with an amazing leadership programme. This, in combination with being part of the UK DRI has provided me with the perfect scenario to develop my research. Race Against Dementia has provided me with the funding and the time to develop my ideas and the UK DRI has completed it with the space and collaborations I have been able to develop here.”
When asked who inspires her, Aitana told us she is motivated by her peers on the Race Against Dementia Fellowship:
“I have been extremely lucky in my career so far to be surrounded by extraordinary women. Particularly I have always been inspired by my Race Against Dementia Fellows, sharing with them my career path and seeing how much they have achieved so far is always very motivating for me.”
Aitana's new paper Proteomic analysis reveals distinct cerebrospinal fluid signatures across genetic frontotemporal dementia subtypes is out now in Science Translational Medicine.
Dr Maura Malpetti
Dr Maura Malpetti seeks to understand the role of the immune system and the accumulation of toxic proteins in the brains of people with dementia, using innovative tools such as specialist scans and tests. Dr Malpetti’s work aims to identify markers and targets for earlier diagnosis, more accurate prognosis, and effective treatments. Her ultimate goal is to make a difference for people living with dementia and their families, while sharing her passion for science with collaborators and mentees to equip the next generation of researchers.
Among the UK DRI’s newest Emerging Leaders, Maura joined in 2024. She became a Race Against Dementia-Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellow in 2021. She says the support of both organisations has been integral to her research:
“Race Against Dementia has given me the unique opportunity to develop my research programme at the University of Cambridge, starting my own research group and implementing perspectives from different fields, such as Formula 1, in my research. The UK DRI has given me the opportunity to interact with brilliant scientists working across a diverse spectrum from fundamental science to clinical translational research, and to expand my research through integrating novel approaches and complementary expertise.”
Maura told us she has always been inspired by Italian Nobel Prize-winning neurobiologist Rita Levi-Montalcini:
“Her fearless curiosity, determination, collaborative approach and passion in working in medical research and advancing the field of neuroscience are truly special. To me, she is one of the best and most wonderful examples of how these attributes can make a huge difference in science, and her pioneering spirit still motivates me today.”
Dr Claire Durrant
Dr Claire Durrant investigates the role of a protein called tau in maintaining healthy brain cell connections (synapses) and how it changes in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Durrant’s research aims to find ways to protect the brain from toxic tau and has found an innovative way to access live brain samples straight from the surgery room to enhance her research – something only a handful of people in the world are doing.
Claire joined Race Against Dementia in 2019, as one of the first fellows, she became a UK DRI Emerging Leader in 2021. Speaking about her Fellowship she says:
“Biology and engineering are two disciplines that normally sit on parallel tramlines. I can’t think of any other science scheme where you get access to different people and game-changing resources in the same way that you do in the Race Against Dementia Dyson Fellowship; it’s phenomenal.”
When asked about the important work women are doing in science, Claire highlighted how Alzheimer’s research started with one woman:
“In Alzheimer’s disease, my research field, the whole field started with the diagnosis of one woman, Auguste Deter and throughout the years, fantastic female scientists have been driving progress to one day find a cure. I hope a woman, or her team, will drive this forward and including women in research is going to be so important to make these meaningful breakthroughs.”
Dr Sogorb-Esteve’s, Dr Malpetti’s, and Dr Durrant’s work highlight the essential impact of women leading the charge in dementia research. Their research is bringing us closer to earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for people affected by dementia and related neurodegenerative conditions.
Learn more about all three scientists via the links below.
