Julie Jones - PhD
Julie, who is Associate Dean for ESCD with 亚博体育官网鈥檚 School of Health Sciences, was able to complete her qualification after being awarded a fellowship which was jointly funded by the Chief Scientist office and Parkinson鈥檚 UK. The fellowship supported Julie to complete her research and work clinically within NHS Grampian as a physiotherapist.
For the last decade has been looking at improving the lives of those with Parkinson鈥檚 and she is at the forefront of efforts to highlight the issues around Parkinson鈥檚. As well as her own academic research Julie co-hosts the popular North of Scotland Parkinson鈥檚 Research Interest Group podcast, which launched earlier this year with the aim of increasing involvement in research and highlighting the breadth of Parkinson鈥檚 research taking place across Scotland.
Julie also Co-Leads the Exercise which is a network of over 500 Exercise professionals who work with Parkinson鈥檚 from across the UK and is Co-Lead of the North region of the Parkinsons Excellence network alongside Dr Zoe Muir, and is involved in several national Parkinson's committees.
Julie said: 鈥淲orking collaboratively with the Parkinson's community, and hearing the impact that the intervention had on them was superb but also very humbling. Being awarded the fellowship has opened up other opportunities and has introduced me to the wider Parkinson's community which has supported me to develop collaboration with researcher nationally.
Recently Dr Jones won the 鈥楶eople鈥檚 Choice鈥� award, which was selected by people with Parkinson鈥檚 at the Parkinson鈥檚 Excellence Network Awards.
She was also part of the winning team for the 鈥楥ommunity Support鈥� award, presented to the Exercise Hub, which is a national education and peer support network for professionals, enhancing the community exercise experience for people with Parkinson鈥檚.
Julie added: 鈥淚 think that completing this PhD has provided me with self-confidence, but also the knowledge and skills to continue and pursue a research career as well as support others in their research journey.鈥�