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167

NameBarbara-Anne
Genderfemale
Country of OriginCanada
Destination CountryUnited Kingdom

I was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Our family moved to the UK in 2008 when my husband was offered a job in the chemistry department at Durham University. I applied for and was offered a job at the Institute of Neuroscience at Newcastle University where I worked on a DEFRA-funded project examining neurological components of animal welfare in broiler breeder chickens; the aim of this work was to ensure the food supply is sustainable. I have since moved to Durham University to join the psychology department as both International Tutor and a PhD student. As International Tutor, I guide, support, and assist international students adjust to life in the UK and to their program. My research focuses on the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. This part of the brain is particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of aging and disease, including Alzheimer's. By understanding how our experiences are represented, stored, and lost in the brain, perhaps we will be able to better understand disease. I am proud to contribute to the British Neuroscience community. Our family is committed to contributing to our community. In partnership with our local church, we have set up and run a series of soup lunches in support of the local food bank. We have also run a series of free community film nights to encourage residents of Durham to enjoy time out together. We arrange these events so that local children host the event, introduce the film, and hand out cups of sweets and crisps. I am a tutor at St. Chad's College, Durham University. I find this role particular rewarding because it gives me the opportunity to mentor students at a critical stage in their lives. Encouraging these students to be Global Citizens, to study languages, to embrace social justice and change is a role that I am honoured to hold. I hope that I can serve as a role model to them. I am an immigrant, and the college entrusted me with this important role. My son attends a local school, plays violin in the music club, is a member of a cathedral choir 'Minstrels', takes swimming lessons at the local baths, and has recently taken an interest in judo. We buy our groceries from a local farm shop, New Close Farm. We are very lucky to have such wonderful local products freely available. We make every opportunity to support the local economy. We are National Trust members and take great joy in walking our dog, Penny, through the many gorgeous landscapes the UK offers. For the last several years we have only taken holidays within the UK. Not only to contribute to local economies, but also to experience and truly get to know better this wonderful country we now call home.

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