In a nutshell, tell us about your research
Our brains never stand still – neurons are constantly firing away, talking to each other through trillions of synapses. Collectively, all this chatter creates rhythms and waves of activity that can spread all the way across the human brain in mere milliseconds. In epilepsy this somehow goes wrong, and atypical brain waves of activity disrupt normal brain function.
I am interested in how these brain waves are shaped. How do the molecules that influence synaptic function (how neurons connect and communicate) lead to abnormal brain activity? How does the brain’s network structure affect its activity patterns? How does this system change over time, especially during brain development? To explore these questions, my team and I use tools from theoretical physics, complex systems analysis, bioengineering and biology to study whole-brain activity dynamics.
What impact do you hope your research will have?
As a clinician-scientist, I view our work through two lenses. Importantly, we want to have a clinical impact — by identifying biomarkers in abnormal brain activity patterns we can help deliver the right therapies to the right patients at the right time. One challenge we face in delivering this is the fact that the volume of patient data we can now record is exponentially increasing. I hope the tools and analysis strategies we develop will help integrate patient-specific data to better understand individual needs and improve epilepsy treatment.
At the same time, there are still many fundamental aspects of brain function that we still do not understand. Studying how abnormal brain waves arise in epilepsy could also provide insights into how brain activity is shaped in other neurological conditions, as well as in normal brain function.
What aspects of working in epilepsy research have you found most challenging and most rewarding so far?
As an early career researcher, and especially as an early career clinician-scientist, it often feels like juggling while balancing on a tightrope. Securing the right funding at the right time can be incredibly challenging, not to mention aligning clinical training with research development and navigating the strict deadlines for grant applications. This is especially tough in fields like epilepsy research, which has historically been underfunded compared to other high-profile areas.
On the flip side, I am continually blown away by the support within the field. Whether from senior professors or first-year doctoral students, it seems that everyone wants to make a real difference and are keen to collaborate and help each other out. Most importantly, seeing where the need is and the tangible impact of research in my clinical practice has been key to keeping me motivated.
What has the Enabling Technologies team been working on recently?
Being involved with a cross-cutting theme that touches all aspects of epilepsy research and care has been exciting. At the same time, having such a broad remit has presented challenges in terms of identifying specific ways we can support the work of epilepsy researchers and the other themes. Working alongside our international task force – a group comprising a whole range of experts – we have identified key areas to prioritise. This has included improving the way current cutting-edge technologies can be accessed by researchers across the UK and identifying those completely novel technologies that are ready for the next step from proof-of-concept to implementation.
What do you hope the Enabling Technologies theme will achieve for people affected by epilepsy?
I hope we can translate the momentum and enthusiasm we’ve felt since the Institute’s launch into real, tangible benefits for people living with epilepsy. There are so many exciting advancements happening across various technologies—from brain imaging techniques to artificial intelligence—that can have a direct and transformative impact on epilepsy research and care. I believe the Enabling Technologies theme is uniquely positioned to overcome the common obstacles that often hinder the translation of innovative ideas into practical and useful tools. Ultimately, we aim to harness these technologies to transform epilepsy care, ensuring that every patient benefits from cutting edge research, from diagnosis through to treatment.
What are your hopes for the future of epilepsy research?
I hope epilepsy research can finally have its moment in the spotlight. In recent years, there have been many groundbreaking advancements, from highly detailed genomic diagnostics to long-term brain activity recordings in epilepsy patients, each can have a transformative impact on epilepsy. What’s crucial now is coordinating these efforts and ensuring that funding and resources match the pressing need for better treatments. With that, I believe we can work towards a future where no patient is limited by their epilepsy.
Find out more about our Enabling Technologies, one of the six core themes of the Epilepsy Research Institute’s work.
