Neurology

Academic Clinical Lecturers

Beili Shao

Dr Beili Shao, an ST7 in neurology and NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Dementia, has a robust background in research, with a PhD focusing on the effects of hyperglycaemia on the blood-brain barrier—an area crucial to understanding how high blood glucose impacts neurovascular health and may contribute to neurological disorders. Currently, her work centres on dementia, bringing insights from her previous research to the study of neurodegeneration.​

Her research focuses on young-onset dementia (YOD) through the lens of biomarkers, radiology, and clinical cognitive performance. Given the unique presentation and progression of YOD, your work on identifying specific biomarkers and imaging characteristics aims to improve diagnostic precision and, by linking these to cognitive profiles, may guide targeted, individualized treatments. She is also the trainee committee member of ABN cognitive SIG. ​

Dr Shao is also deeply committed to education. She is passionate about teaching, actively engaged in bedside teaching, OSCE preparation, and mentorship, supporting the development of both medical students and junior doctors. As an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), she has demonstrated excellence in educational practices and has applied for full Fellowship to further her dedication to medical education. Her combined interests in teaching, research, and mentorship make her a valuable leader and advocate in both neurology and medical education.​

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For more information about Beili’s research, please see an overview of Beili's research on ORCiD.

Academic Clinical Fellows

Christopher Gilmartin

Dr Chris Gilmartin is a Neurology NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow working as a doctor in Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham. His research focuses on harnessing novel technologies and transforming care services.

His research interests are broad and include neuroinflammatory and movement disorders. He is researching the feasibility of a new functional neuroimaging technology, OPM-MEG, for investigating the cortical control of movement. This technology was developed and pioneered by the Medical Physics team at the University of Nottingham. Chris is further supporting the implementation of a further neuroimaging transformation, the central vein sign, into clinical practice.

Chris is a keen teacher and mentor to junior colleagues.

For more information about Chris's research, please see an overview of Chris's research on ORCiD.

Priya Sharma

"I have had a focus on academic neurology since my undergraduate studies at Imperial College London. I recently completed an MSc in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford, where I conducted research on the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in management of Parkinson’s and essential tremor, as well as the use of wearable sensor technology to monitor motor symptoms in Parkinson’s.​

"During my role as a neurology ACF, I will continue to pursue my interests in Parkinson’s disease, specifically, using OPM-MEG (magnetoencephalography with optically pumped magnetometers) technology to assess motor symptoms in Parkinson’s. The OPM-MEG is a novel, neuroimaging technique enabling non-invasive electrophysiological imaging of brain activity. In addition, I am exploring the role of specific viral infections in predicting Alzheimer’s disease progression.

"I am excited to be joining a dynamic team of neurologists and neuroscientists, whilst working with state-of-the-art technology.​"

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For more information about Priya’s research, please see an overview of her research on ORCiD.

Hari Pai

"My name is Hari Venkatesh Pai and I am an Academic Clinical Fellow in Neurology in the East Midlands. I graduated from King’s College London in 2021 and I am currently working clinically as a medical trainee within Nottingham University Hospitals NHS trust.

"My research interests are primarily in Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy. I am working on projects in both fields with the Academic Neurology department at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham under the supervision of Professor Nikos Evangelou.

"For more about me please see my ORCiD, ResearchGate and LinkedIn profiles."

View an overview of Hari's research on ORCiD

View Hari's ResearchGate profile

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AcPD

Nikos Evangelou

For more information about Professor Nikos Evangelou and to contact them for queries about ACF and CL research opportunities, please visit their staff profile on the School of Medicine website.