Dr Simon Bell

My interest in Neurosciences and Alzheimer’s disease started whilst performing my undergraduate medical studies at Bristol University. Here I intercalated in Neuroscience under the supervision of Dr Shelly Allen-Burt, Dr David Dawbarn, and Professor Seth Love. For my BSc I characterised the Bondi Body, a pathological aggregate found within the Choroid Plexus, which is seen in increased numbers in Alzheimer’s disease.

After qualifying in Medicine I did junior doctor jobs in Gloucester, Bristol, Leeds and Brisbane Australia. I gained clinical experience in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Stroke Medicine and research experience at the University of Leeds where I performed a post-graduate diploma in Health Research.  On completion of my junior doctor jobs and after passing my Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP), I took up a Neurology Speciality Training post in Sheffield and continued my research into Alzheimer’s disease, with an Alzheimer Research UK (ARUK) preparatory Clinical Fellowship, and NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship.

My Wellcome 4ward North PhD Fellowship analysed the metabolism of astrocytes and other cell types in Alzheimer’s disease using an induced Neuronal Progenitor Cell model system (supervisors Dr Heather Mortiboys, Dr Laura Ferraiuolo, Dr Daniel Blackburn and Professor Stephen Wharton). I wish to understand how metabolic abnormalities, specifically those seen in mitochondria, effect neuronal support and might contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. 

I am currently a NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Neurology focusing on developing the understanding of dysfunctional metabolism in dementia and how this may be developed into future treatments and biomarkers for the disease.