Dr Festus Slade

Festus Slade joined the Adaptive Brain Lab at the University of Cambridge as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in MRI Physics for Neuroscience. His research focuses on enhancing GABA spectroscopy using clinical 7T (WBIC, Addenbrookes) and preclinical 9.4T MRI, aiming to uncover insights into the role of GABAergic neurotransmission in learning.

Festus holds a PhD from the University of Warwick, where his research under Prof. Peter Sadler FRS and Prof. Joanna Collingwood included CEST MRI, and brain iron determination using quantitative 9.4T MRI. His doctoral work focused on biomarkers for neurological disorders, and he won a place in the ISMRM Research Exchange Program 2023, collaborating with Prof. Greg Stanisz' Group at the University of Toronto’s Sunnybrook Research Institute (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre) to refine spectroscopy and saturation transfer methods (MRS, CEST, MT) for brain metabolomics and structure in clinic and preclinic.

Prior to joining Cambridge, Festus worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on T2 relaxation for characterisation of complex materials, at the University of Birmingham and collaborating with BASF, the largest chemical company in the world.

Festus is also serving as an Alzheimer's Association ISTAART Ambassador for the 2024-2025 term, where he has a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from leaders in the field of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, gaining valuable experience at scientific meetings.

Outside of work, Festus enjoys cycling, playing football, hiking, canoeing, visiting historical sites, and engaging in science outreach.