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Staff Profile

Dr Ríona McArdle

NIHR Advanced Fellow

Background

Background

I am an NIHR Advanced Fellow and an interdisciplinary researcher with a background in psychology and applied neuropsychology. My research aims to improve the lives of people living with dementia and other age-related conditions through novel applications of mobility and digital health research. I am passionate about ensuring the voices of people with lived experience are embedded in all stages of the research process, and have a keen interest in Public Patient Involvement and Engagement. I am also striving to include under-served groups in my research, both as contributors and participants within research studies. In 2022, I received the Emerging Scientist Award by the International Society for Posture and Gait Research for my contributions to dementia and mobility research.


Leadership roles

  • Public Patient Involvement and Engagement Lead for the Digital Health, Ageing Innovation and Inclusion Theme in Newcastle's NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.
  • Early Career Research Lead for Newcastle's Ageing and Geroscience Theme.
  • Research Leader within the Brain and Movement Research Group.
  • Executive Committee Member for Partnering with Research Participants Professional Interest Area in the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART).


 

Researchgate profile

 

Google Scholar profile

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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 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.


Funding

I am the Principal Investigator for the ActivDem and ActivDyad studies. ActivDem is a NIHR-funded longitudinal study aiming to identify psychosocial predictors of ambulatory activity loss in people with dementia, using digital mobility outcomes (£425,000). ActivDyad is a feasibility study aiming to develop digital methods to assess independence and interdependence in ambulatory activity outcomes in older adult couples. It is funded by the ART of Healthy Ageing Network, with the UKRI (£12,500).


I am a Co-investigator on the "Measuring what matters - ensuring diversity and equity in Parkinson's disease research and care" study, funded by the MJ Fox Foundation and led by Professor Katie Brittain (£250,000).



PhD students

  • Sarah Wilson - "Strategies to promote digital health equity". Funded by Alzheimer's Research UK. Co-supervised with Professor Sarah Slight, Dr Clare Tolley and Mr Bob Slight.
  • Megan Hanrahan - "Measuring what matters: a representative exploration of experiences with mobility loss in people with Parkinson's disease and their carers to inform digital mobility assessment". Jointly funded by Newcastle's NIHR Biomedical Research Centre and MJ Fox Foundation. Co-supervised with Professor Katie Brittain.
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, Psychology, 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