Dr Neshika Samarasekera (BMedSci MRCP PhD)

Consultant neurologist, NHS Lothian; NRS Research Fellow and Stroke Association Senior Clinical Lecturer

Contact details

Address

Street

Fu303a, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences
Chancellors Building
49 Little France Crescent

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH16 4SB

Biography

Background

I am a clinical neurologist and stroke doctor. My research interest is in the epidemiology, causes and the effects of intracerebral haemorrhage on patients and on the brain.

Qualifications

BMedSci (University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 2000)

MBBS (University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 2003)

MRCP (RCP Edinburgh, 2006)

PhD (University of Edinburgh, 2015)

Undergraduate teaching

I regularly teach University of Edinburgh undergraduate medical students using bedside teaching, small group sessions and teaching students who attend TIA and general neurology out-patient clinics.

Postgraduate teaching

I have contributed to the Neuroscience PhD teaching programme and the teaching of junior doctors prior to their MRCP exams.

Areas of interest for supervision

I have supervised medical students undertaking research projects in intracerebral haemorrhage both as part of their SSC5 block and at other stages of their degree. I have also supervised academic foundation doctors and PhD students with aspects of their research.

Current PhD students supervised

 University of Edinburgh students and  trainee doctors being supervised 

Marcus Kam, University of Edinburgh

Matthew Wade, Academic foundation doctor

Past PhD students supervised

Previous students supervised (University of Edinburgh medical and non medical students, students from other universities, PhD students)

Arthur Fonville, University of Amsterdam

Pheng Toh, University of Edinburgh

Luke Perry, Monash University, Australia

Laura Cunningham, SSC5 medical student, University of Edinburgh

Yawen Xiang, University of Edinburgh

Caoimhe Kirby, Wellcome Trust Translational Neurosci PhD student

James Loan, ECAT neurosurgical trainee

Research summary

Intracerebral haemorrhage affects 10 000 adults annually in the UK and 4 out of every 10 sufferers die in the first month after their bleed. As yet, there is no effective medical treatment for this condition. My PhD, examined the underlying causes of ICH (particularly looking at the role of cerebral amyloid angiopathy).  My work is part of the Research to Understand Haemorrhage programme(RUSH; https://www.ed.ac.uk/clinical-brain-sciences/research/diagnoses-disease-targets/rush).  I am looking at the long term outcomes for adults who have had a spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage and the effect that bleeding has on brain tissue. The long term aim is to be able to develop an effective treatment for this condition.

Current research interests

Peri-haematomal oedema and outcome after intracerebral haemorrhage; cognition and intracerebral haemorrhage; serum biomarkers and intracerebral haemorrhage

Current project grants

2024-2029 The Stroke Association Senior Clinical Lectureship £235 000: Seeking an inflammation modulating treatment for cerebral haemorrhage (SEARxCH)
2023-2026 Chief Scientist Office Project Grant £298,985: PLatform randomised controlled trial for INTracerebral Haemorrhage (PLINTH): community-based feasibility study.
2022-2023 British Heart Foundation, £24 950: 'Spatially profiling human brains to identify mechanisms of tissue damage and repair following cerebrovascular rupture'

Past project grants

2020-2022 British Heart Foundation REA3 Pump priming award, £46 740: 'Individual participant data meta-analysis of the association between peri-haematomal oedema and outcome after intracerebral haemorrhage'
2017-2023 The Stroke Association Haemorrhagic Stroke Priority Programme Award, Co-lead applicant £449,482: 'Neuroinflammation after cerebral haemorrhage in Edinburgh'
2009 UK MRC / The Stroke Association Clinical Research Training Fellowship, £163,316

In the press

2023 - Channel 4 'Steph's packed lunch' - Stiff person syndrome interview. Tracey Reilly on C4, 2023, talking about SPS (youtube.com)

2024 - Interview with 'Business Insider' magazine - 3 Ways to Prevent Strokes From Doctor, As Cases Rise in Young People - Business Insider

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