MRI radiographer Alex Tam has been awarded an NIHR Pre-application Support Fund, recognising his potential as a future clinical academic in dementia imaging research.

Alex, an MRI Diagnostic Radiographer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has secured the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) support to help him develop a competitive application for the NIHR Predoctoral Award, combining clinical and research practice simultaneously.

The award provides protected time and tailored support to refine his research proposal, strengthen academic skills, and build collaborations, as he develops research focused on cerebral perfusion MRI and its potential role in understanding and predicting cognitive decline and dementia.

Working in partnership with Professor Laura Parkes’ research team at The University of Manchester, Alex is exploring how perfusion-based MRI techniques could provide earlier and more informative biomarkers of dementia. The collaboration brings together imaging physics expertise and clinical insight, helping to bridge the gap between technical innovation and patient care.

Accurate diagnosis

Dementia affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK and is a leading cause of disability and dependency. Earlier and more accurate diagnosis is a major priority, but current clinical pathways often rely on structural MRI changes that can appear relatively late in the disease process.

Alex’s research interests focus on whether changes in cerebral perfusion could help predict cognitive decline or conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. By identifying physiological changes earlier, perfusion imaging has the potential to support more timely diagnosis, improved prognostication, and better patient care.

“One of the things I enjoy most is bridging the gap between the academic environment and patient care,” Alex said. “Perfusion imaging is grounded in MRI physics, but the questions we’re asking are very patient-focused — about diagnosis, prognosis, and how imaging can genuinely help people and their families.”

Protected time

Alex said that having protected research time through the NIHR Support Fund is crucial to his development. It will enable him to meet other researchers, organise tutoring and methods training, and fully engage with members of the public affected by dementia.

“Protected time isn’t just about writing,” he said. “It allows me to build relationships, seek out training, and immerse myself in research culture — all of which are essential for developing a strong and meaningful project.”

Alex credits the award to the encouragement and support of colleagues across clinical and research teams. He particularly thanked Professor Heather Iles-Smith and Dr Claire Howard at NCA’s Centre for Clinical and Care Research for their guidance and advocacy throughout the application process, as well as Professor Steve Woby for his senior support and leadership in research and innovation.

Vital support

He also highlighted the importance of day-to-day managerial support, thanking his radiography manager Suzanne Phenna for enabling protected time and supporting his clinical academic ambitions.

“Having people who believe in your potential makes an enormous difference,” Alex said. “Their support has helped me carve out my own pathway as a radiographer combining clinical practice and research.”

Alex plans to use the NIHR Pre-application Support Fund as a stepping stone towards applying for the NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship. His long-term ambition is to complete a PhD in dementia imaging while continuing to work clinically within the NHS.

He added: “This award has given me the confidence, time and structure to take the next step. It shows that research and clinical practice don’t have to be separate — they can work together to improve imaging services and patient care.”

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