• Question: Why did you choose to study dementia and focus on ethnic minorities?

    Asked by anon-188268 to Nadine on 7 Nov 2018. This question was also asked by anon-188712.
    • Photo: Nadine Mirza

      Nadine Mirza answered on 7 Nov 2018:

      Good question!
      Wanting to study ethnic minorities came first. I am an ethnic minority myself (South Asian), which made me really eager to work with other South Asians and eventually I got into all ethnic minorities.
      As for choosing to study dementia, when it was time to consider what to focus on in my masters dementia research was in high demand (it still is!). The departments in my uni wanted to focus on dementia, I wanted to focus on a disease of the mind that also considers the physical brain, it made sense career wise. I’m so glad I ended up choosing dementia because the amazing people I’ve worked with make me want to continue working in dementia in future.

Comments

  • Photo: anon-188268

    anon-188268 commented on :

    Why do you think dementia is in such high demand? Is it because there are other parts of science that is more anticipating? In addition, who inspired you to focus on ethnic minorities and mix it with science? What’s the difference between focusing and not on your research?

  • Photo: Nadine

    Nadine commented on :

    I think it’s in high demand because within the UK it’s now the leading cause of death. Around 850,000 people have it and 2025 probably 1 million people will have it. So it’s definitely up there in the list of science priorities.
    I wasn’t born in Pakistan but all of my family was and they, along with Pakistan in general, are a huge inspiration for me- I hope to give back to that country one day because they really need scientists who focus on mental health. That’s why it made sense to mix it with science. I’ve seen how South Asians, and ethnic minorities in general struggle with mental health and suffer because of their backgrounds and it makes me want to help.
    And for the last part- good question! So when I talk about my research specifically I’m referring to my PhD- which is looking at helping British South Asians get a better diagnosis for dementia and help for it. However, I like to do work beyond this very specific research. So what I focus on in general is ALL ethnic minorities (not just South Asians) and their experiences of dementia but also their experiences of other mental health issues. It’s a lot broader. I hope that makes sense!