Kathryn graduated from Aberdeen University with a BSc in Genetics and her first job was working for the Medical Research Council studying pattern formation in hind limbs. She moved on to a stem cell lab and has never looked back. She has mainly worked with stem cell differentiation protocols, histology, molecular biology and microscopy. She has continued to work as a Research Technician preferring to be playing in labs rather than stuck in an office writing grants and papers. She loves holidays in the sunshine mainly Madeira, swimming in the sea and snorkelling. She also enjoys cooking and tries to run twice a week to keep fit all year round weather permitting. In the lab, Kathryn is establishing and supporting iPSC and organoid differentiation protocols and QC across multiple projects.

Lois graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences with honours in Anatomy and Development. She remained in Edinburgh to undertake an Masters by Research in Neuroscience in the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, investigating the spread of pathological tau in tauopathies. She joined the Bowles lab as a Research Assistant in 2023. She enjoys music and crochet, and has recently started climbing. Lois is working on our Rainwater funded project to investigate neuron-glia interactions in primary tauopathies.

Dianne obtained her PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton under the supervision of Dr Katrin Deinhardt. Using cultured neurons, microscopy, luminescence assays and electrophysiological techniques, she investigated the molecular mechanisms of tau propagation in tauopathies. She joined the Bowles lab to investigate the role of a novel astrocytic LRRC37A2 gene in Parkinson's disease using iPSCs. She enjoys playing sports all-year-round (e.g., netball, volleyball and ultimate frisbee), hiking and wild swimming. Besides her love for sport and outdoor activities, she has a passion for dancing and in arts and crafts, recently discovering a new found love for landscape painting.

Maja is an MSc student at the University of Edinburgh, completing her thesis in the Bowles lab. Before her Scottish adventure, she obtained a BSc degree from Imperial College London, after which she moved to Switzerland to work in both academia and industry. Any time she is not in the lab you will find her in the mountains, hiking or camping. Maja also loves analogue photography and is learning how to develop her own pictures. In the Bowles lab, she is currently working on understanding the role of ELAVL4 in tauopathies using iPSC-derived neurons.

Dafni is a fourth year Neuroscience BSc student in the University of Edinburgh and is completing the URSO Student Fellowship by CurePSP, on the effect of MAPT mutations on the ER-phagic flux of iPSC-derived neurons. She is very interested in neurodegenerative diseases, and especially dementia. In her spare time she likes crocheting, tabletop games, and hiking.

Zhaoyu Gu is an undergraduate student at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, currently working in the Bowles lab. His research focuses on the role of MAPT mutations in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Zhaoyu is passionate about sports, enjoying swimming, cycling, and playing badminton. He has founded his own cycling club and swimming team at ZJE. In addition to his love for sports, he is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring natural landscapes and engaging in outdoor activities.

Shuo is a second-year undergraduate student at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Joint Institute, conducting her summer research in the Bowles lab. Her research focuses on integrating single-cell data from various MAPT mutation iPSC-organoid models to identify shared and divergent transcriptomic effects of each mutation. Shuo's work mainly involves data analysis and visualization, which she completes on her computer. In her spare time, she prefers staying indoors to read books, watch movies, and write. Shuo is also passionate about music and plays both the piano and guitar. Additionally, she enjoys attending various social gatherings and is enthusiastic about experiencing new things and discovering new hobbies through these activities.