Charlie
Fellow by Special Election in Neuroscience
I am from the South of England, and then went to University in Bristol. When I qualified as a doctor I worked in Bristol for 18 months, before coming to Oxford to work as a junior doctor. When I was here I fell in love with research and then did my DPhil (PhD) in Oxford, supervised by Paul Matthews and Heidi Johansen-Berg (both Fellows at the Hall). I was lucky enough to be awarded a Junior Research Fellowship at the Hall in 2010 and have remained here ever since. Outside science I live in the countryside with my husband, two young children and our elderly dog, where I enjoy music, cooking and reading.
My research aims to improve recovery for people after stroke. I first became interested in stroke recovery as an undergraduate, and the more I learn the more I become fascinated. This is a huge issue for stroke survivors and their carers, and still presents substantial challenges. The field has historically been very male-dominated, but I have been hugely lucky to have strong female mentors in Oxford, and to have been working with people around the globe to increase visibility of women in the field: something that is definitely improving. It’s an exciting time!
I have loved working in the library whilst at the Hall – its such an inspiring place and a source of calm and space to think. In terms of the events, the Centre for the Creative Brain has brought a wide range of happy memories, from Shakespeare readings in the Doctorow to puppets in the ODH – it’s a unique forum for some fascinating discussions.
What do you think when you hear ‘Women of the Hall’?
Hall is a modern, vibrant centre, with a huge history. Being part of driving something so old forward to become an inclusive, diverse and exciting place to live and work is a very exciting time.