Meet the Living Well with Chronic Disease Research Theme Leads
Research at the AWRC falls under three research themes, Healthy and Active 100, Living Well with Chronic Disease, and Digital and Technological Innovations to Promote Independent Lives.
This week we sit down for a chat with Prof. Caroline Dalton and Liam Humphries who head up Living Well with Chronic Disease.
Hi Caroline and Liam! First of all, tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Caroline Dalton: I’m Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Genetics based in SHU’s Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC) but seconded two days per week to the AWRC to co-lead the Living Well with Chronic Disease theme. I am a laboratory scientist by discipline, and my research covers a range of fields including immunology, pharmacogenetics/genomics, neuroscience and nutrition.
I studied Biochemistry (BSc) before progressing onto a PhD in Immunology. I moved into Neuroscience as a post-doctoral researcher. Since I joined SHU in 2000 I have worked on a wide range of projects including studying the influence of genetics on antipsychotic-induced weight gain in people with schizophrenia, and investigating how proteins misfold to form amyloid in neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Recently I have been working on a project on Long-Covid, studying microclots (which also include amyloid) and linking their presence in plasma samples to immune activation and symptom profiles.
Liam Humphries: I studied exercise science (BSc) and physical activity for health (MSc), and started my career in the fitness industry before embarking on a career in research. I have now been involved in health research for 14 years, progressing from research assistant to now leading my own research projects as a Senior Research Fellow. Along the way, I’ve been able to work on a diverse range of research studies with various methodologies.
What can you tell us about the Living Well with Chronic Disease research theme?
The Living Well with Chronic Disease theme develops research that supports people living with chronic diseases to increase their physical activity. We build diverse, cross-disciplinary teams to address the challenges people face whilst living with a long-term condition. Our theme covers a wide range of conditions including cancer, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s, diabetes, frailty, and obesity.
We take a whole systems approach to the challenges of supporting people to increase their activity. This means that we are not only interested in specific programmes that help with a particular condition, but we also study the barriers that reduce the ability of people to be active, including social and economic factors that exacerbate health inequalities.
What are the main priorities for Living Well with Chronic Disease in 2023?
Our cancer research at SHU has progressed over 10 years, which we are really proud of. The Active Together pre-habilitation service (funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research) is a product of these years of work, and the service is filling a gap in the support provided to cancer patients in Sheffield and South Yorkshire. This programme offers a personalised service at the AWRC to patients with certain cancers in the weeks between diagnosis and the start of their treatment. The aim is to improve their fitness, and provide nutritional advice and psychological support to improve outcomes when their treatment takes place. One of our main areas of focus for 2023 is to develop more research in the area of physical activity for people affected by cancer.
Another research priority for 2023 is Long Covid. This condition affects a range of people, not just those who were hospitalised with Covid, causing a diverse set of symptoms including fatigue, muscle aches and cognitive dysfunction. In order to determine whether potential treatments for Long Covid have an effect it is important to be able to accurately track symptoms and biomarkers. We have developed methods using apps and activity trackers to monitor symptoms, and are currently working on tests to track changes in plasma markers, including amyloid-microclots in these patients.
We have several other projects in development, in particular we are working in collaboration with Prof. Chris Dayson and Dr. Cath Homer, who lead the Healthy and Active 100 research theme, to develop larger research projects which cut across both our themes.
Our overall aim is to develop further research that supports people to living well with chronic disease. We would like to develop exciting new research questions and collaborations with other universities nationally and internationally.
Finally, what do you enjoy most about your roles as Theme Leads at the AWRC?
Caroline Dalton: Working with multidisciplinary teams across a wide range of projects. The aim of the AWRC is to bring researchers from across the University together into teams to address specific research questions, and being part of that process is very exciting and rewarding. I have met so many people with such a wide range of expertise and skills, and being involved with them is a constant source of inspiration to me.
Liam Humphries: I enjoy exploring new ideas and potential projects. The AWRC provides the opportunity to meet and collaborate with researchers from fields outside of my own expertise. Working alongside Caroline for example I has helped me progress as a researcher. I also enjoy linking with the other co-leads (early career researchers) to share our experiences.
Thanks for your time, Caroline and Liam, it looks as though there’s lots in store for Living Well with Chronic Disease in 2023. We look forward to hearing more about your many projects.
Find out more about the Living Well with Chronic Disease research theme.