Lisa Sonam

Please tell us about your research project.

As a ‘Médecine-Science’/MD-PhD student of the INSERM Liliane Bettencourt School, I am completing my final year of the Neuroscience master’s degree at Sorbonne University. I am currently engaged in a research project within the Szele group at the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics of the University of Oxford.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) stands as a major public health concern with its increasing prevalence and impact on individuals and society. It is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. Neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier breakdown are associated with the disease progression and worsen the condition.
Here, we are delving into the role of a pro-inflammatory protein in AD with a keen focus on those two processes. I spend my days in the lab conducting experiments using brain sections to investigate how this protein could contribute to the interplay between neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier breakdown.
Understanding and targeting these processes may offer promising insights into the pathological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets to improve patients’ outcomes.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?

I am thrilled to be the inaugural student benefitting from the “MFO-Médecine-Sciences” initiative, a unique partnership between the MFO and the French network of combined MD-PhD degree programs. Thanks to this opportunity, I am embarking on a 6-month research project at the University of Oxford, spanning from Hilary to Trinity Terms.
I am honoured to contribute to this innovative program, blending medical expertise with cutting-edge research, and furthering the ties between Oxford and France’s biomedical research communities.

Impressions of Oxford/ the University?

My research stay at Oxford University’s Medical Sciences Division is proving to be an exhilarating plunge into the heart of biomedical innovation. Working in the lab, engaging with leading scholars, and immersing myself in the vibrant academic culture not only hone my research skills but also offer a firsthand experience of the university’s dedication to fostering discoveries and enhancing health outcomes. Oxford is not just a university, it’s a diverse and dynamic environment that challenges, inspires, and elevates one’s intellectual endeavours.