Cynthia Smith
Student Fellow
Cynthia Smith is a committed neuroscience researcher with a Bachelor's degree in Medical Neuroscience from the University of Sussex UK and a Master's degree in Translational Neuropathology from the University of Sheffield. She has a broad range of experience and skills in neuroscience.
During her undergraduate studies, Cynthia delved into laboratory-based research, investigating the ototoxicity of aminoglycosides. Her commitment to rigorous scientific exploration continued into her master's project, where she performed a bioinformatic analysis of microRNA biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. This work was not only academically impactful but also published in the esteemed International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2022, solidifying Cynthia's presence in neuroscience. This research ignited Cynthia's passion for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Cynthia's skillset is diverse, encompassing high-quality independent research, reviewing literature, providing laboratory training (histology, phlebotomy, hematology, and clinical biochemistry), IT, and bioinformatics.
At the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute, Cynthia is a Student Fellow for a study that aims to collect normative data on Kenyan adults for a set of digital cognitive tests and improve infrastructure for research in neurodegenerative disorders. In her role, Cynthia ensures research participants' consent aligns with global standards for responsible conduct and human subject protection guidelines. Her duties extend to administering structured interviews, neuropsychological tests, and questionnaires to research participants, contributing to data management by cleaning, entering, and organizing data for statistical analyses, actively participating in scientific and management committee meetings, journal clubs, and other scheduled didactics that support the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) Harmonization project, and preparing summary reports of research progress for the project manager and Principal Investigators.
Cynthia Smith is not just a researcher; she is a dynamic force contributing to the advancement of neuroscience research, particularly in the critical area of neurodegenerative disorders.
