Dementia Research Society: President

My name is Mary Wang, a second-year Neuroscience student, and I’m running for the president because I believe in the potential of building a society where everyone can share perspectives on our shared interest: dementia.

Through my current role as an academic representative for my cohort and the volunteering officer of this society, I have gained valuable insights into the importance of a platform for people explore their interest and deepen their knowledge without barriers to information and participation.

 If elected, I would like to create more meaningful and accessible opportunities for members to engage with dementia research and discussion. This could include initiatives such as sharing updates on recent research findings through the format of weekly news, organizing journal clubs, and hosting social and academic workshops. My goal is to make the society not only informative but also welcoming and interactive, so that everyone feels comfortable contributing their ideas and learning from others.

Having previously founded a feminism club in high school and currently serving as Vice President of a cross-university student-led science organization, I have developed strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. As president, I would be honoured to use these experiences to work together with all of you to strengthen our community and make it an even more supportive space – one that we can feel proud to be part of.

I am standing because dementia runs in my family, and i have seen firsthand how deeply it affects both individuals and the people who love them, so being able to contribute to awareness, understanding and support within the UCL community would mean a great deal to me. I also believe the Dementia Society can be more than a space for information, it can be a space for connection, education and impact, bringing students together around a cause that matters, creating evidence‑based and accessible events, collaborating with charities and experts to amplify awareness, supporting students with personal experiences of dementia, and giving members meaningful ways to get involved, volunteer and learn. With my background in neuroscience and my experience leading projects and working with diverse groups, I feel ready to guide the society through a year of growth, visibility and real impact, honouring the personal motivation that brought me here while building something that benefits the whole UCL community.