Dementia Masterclass

Laura Ajram

Chief Executive, British Neuroscience Association

Laura is the Chief Executive of the British Neuroscience Association.

John Hardy

Chair of Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology

Professor Sir John Hardy is the Chair of Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease at the UCL Institute of Neurology with over 23,000 citations. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to science, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2009. In 2022 he was awarded a Knighthood in New Year’s honours in recognition of contributions to human health and dementia research.

Ashton Harper

Global Medical Affairs Indication Lead, Roche Diagnostics

Ashton is the Global Medical Affairs Indication Lead for Neurosciences at Roche Diagnostics, providing strategic direction for Roche Diagnostics' rapidly growing neurology portfolio, focusing on evidence generation, external collaborations, medical education, and KOL engagement. Ashton joined Roche Diagnostics in August 2020 as the Head of Medical Affairs for the UK & Ireland, leading clinical research across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiology, neurology, infectious diseases, critical care, and women’s health.

Ashton studied medicine at University College London, earning both an MBBS and a B.Sc. in physiology and pharmacology. He worked as a doctor in the NHS and achieved membership in the Royal College of Surgeons. During his surgical training, he was awarded a postgraduate fellowship to the Cleveland Clinic in the USA to observe experts in inflammatory bowel disease.

Outside of his role at Roche, Ashton has been the UK & Ireland Chapter Lead of the Medical Affairs Professional Society since February 2022.

Throughout his career, Ashton has designed and initiated numerous clinical trials across a range of therapeutic areas and has frequently lectured internationally. He has been published in fields such as surgery, gastroenterology, neurology, infectious diseases, and microbiology, and has presented at multiple international medical conferences

Gill Livingston

Professor of Psychiatry of Older People, University College London, Division of Psychiatry

Gill is a clinical academic working with people with suspected or confirmed dementia and their families. Her interdisciplinary research uses epidemiological and biopsychosocial approaches to co-design and evaluate evidence-based interventions across the life course.

She led the Lancet Standing Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care in 2017, 2020 and 2024, producing influential research and meta-analyses on dementia risk and prevention that have informed international policy, including WHO, UK and US guidance.

Gill’s work also focuses on improving the lives of people with dementia, their carers and care staff, particularly in underserved and minority communities. She co-developed the START intervention for family carers, which improves mental health and quality of life and has been adapted internationally. She also co-leads research to improve sleep and cognition in family carers and underserved midlife and older populations.