Cynthia Smith | Brain and Mind Institute | The Aga Khan University

 

Cynthia Smith is a 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.​​

During her studies, Cynthia investigated how certain antibiotics can affect hearing and later analyzed molecules that could help detect Alzheimer’s disease early. Her research, published in 2022, fueled her passion for early dementia detection.

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 Brain and Mind Institute, she works on multiple projects, including one that gathers cognitive health data from Kenyan adults to enhance research on brain disorders. She ensures participants' informed consent, conducts interviews and tests, organizes data, and contributes to meetings and reports.

She is also involved in the Female Brain Health and Endocrine Research in Africa (FemBER AFRICA) project, where she helps design research, adapts cognitive tests to cultural contexts, administers these tests, and manages data collection and analysis. She coordinates with stakeholders, mentors interns, and supports other projects.​

Cynthia is dedicated to advancing brain health research, especially in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.​