Dr Rebecca Sims
Senior Research Fellow, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences
- simsrc@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2068 8450
- 1.03 - Office F, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
Identifying Risk Genes for Common Dementias
I use large scale genome-wide association and sequencing studies to identify genes that affect an individual's risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
I am a neurogeneticist with over ten years experience in neurodegeneration research. I have a particular interest in the generation of large-scale powerful datasets and data analysis. I have significant experience of International collaboration, maintaining networks and producing high quality publications. My recent work has included leading genome-wide association projects, such as exome chip array studies. My current work focuses on the translation of genetic findings to disease relevant induced pluripotent cell models, and utilizes Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to identify novel risk loci for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Biography
EMPLOYMENT
2020-Present CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
Senior Research Fellow
2016–2020 CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
Tenured Fast Track Fellow
2012–Present CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
Research Fellow.
Funded by Alzheimer’s Society Fellowship Award.
2010–2012 CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
Research Associate in the department of Psychological Medicine.
Funded via MRC Programme Grant.
FURTHER EDUCATION
2012-Present CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
MSc Genetic Epidemiology and Bioinformatics
2005-2009 CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
PhD “The genetics of Alzheimer’s disease with psychosis.”
2001-2005 CARDIFF UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF BIOSCIENCES.
BSc Genetics (2.1)
Honours and awards
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
British Society for Immunology Conference 2017 Invited Speaker: Inflammation in the Genetics of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s Society 2015 Oral presentation: Studying Alzheimer’s Genetics using Rare Variant Microarrays
AAIC 2015 Poster presentation: Powerful Study of Rare Variation in Alzheimer’s disease
BNA 2015 Oral presentation: Advances in Alzheimer’s Genetics
AAIC 2012 Poster presentation: Follow up of Alzheimer’s disease with psychosis genome-wide association studies
AAIC 2011 Poster presentation: No consistent evidence for association between mtDNA variants and Alzheimer disease
ESHG 2011 Poster presentation: Investigating Runs of Homozygosity in Alzheimer’s disease
ICAD 2010 Poster presentation: Mitochondrial Genome-Wide Association Study of Alzheimer’s disease
ICAD 2009 Poster presentation: Investigating psychosis candidate genes in Alzheimer’s disease with psychosis using genome-wide association (GWA) studies.
Wellcome Trust 2009 Oral and Poster presentation: Genome Wide Association Study for Alzheimer’s disease with Psychotic Symptoms
ASHG 2008 Poster presentation: Oligodendrocyte Lineage Transcription Factor 2 (OLIG2) and association with Psychosis In Alzheimer’s disease
ICAD 2008 Poster presentation: Testing for association between Alzheimer’s disease with psychosis and variants identified as influencing risk of schizophrenia
Professional memberships
2019- Academy of Medical Sciences – Future Leader programme member.
2018- Alzheimer’s Society Biomedical Board Member
2016- Genetics Society.
2016- Learned Society of Wales.
2016- Welsh Crucible Alumni.
2016- European AD Biobank (EADB) consortium.
2011- International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project (IGAP) consortium.
2006- Genetic and Environmental Risk in Alzheimer's Disease (GERAD) consortium.
Publications
We are currently unable to retrieve the list of publications. Visit our institutional repository.My research identifies susceptibility genes for Alzheimer's disease. I have a particular interest in analysing rare frequency genetic variation and my recent work implicates immune cells, specifically microglia in disease development.
Funding
2018-2020 INNOVATE UK
“The development and implementation of polygenic risk algorithms for stratifying individuals for future cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease “(Co-PI).
2018-2020 ABBUK
“Brains for Dementia Research Network” (Cardiff-PI: Cardiff Award £180,002)
2018-2020 HEALTH AND CARE RESEARCH WALES
“Centre for Aging and Dementia Research” (Co-PI: Cardiff Award £360,056)
2016-2019 JOINT PROGRAMME FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE
"A European AD DNA bank (EADB)" (UK-PI: 1,599,069€)
2016-2018 CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE IN NEURODEGENERATION
"Therapeutic targeting of impaired lysosomal flux in Alzheimer’s disease" (Co-PI: £284,126)
2015 MOONDANCE FOUNDATION
“Moondance Centre for Young-onset Dementia” (Co-PI: £500,00)
2015 WELSH GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC AWARD
“Purchase of MassArray Genotyping Platform” (PI: £115,517)
2012-2016 ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP.
“Powerful Study of Rare Variants in Alzheimer’s disease” (PI: £200,000).