Dr Neshika Samarasekera (BMedSci MRCP PhD)

Consultant neurologist, NHS Lothian and NRS Research Fellow

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.

Current PhD students supervised

Laura Cunningham, SSC5 medical student, University of Edinburgh

Past PhD students supervised

Arthur Fonville, University of Amsterdam

Pheng Toh, University of Edinburgh

Luke Perry, Monash University, Australia

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 project grants

2017 The Stroke Association Haemorrhagic Stroke Priority Programme Award, Co-lead applicant £449,482

Past project grants

2009 UK MRC / The Stroke Association Clinical Research Training Fellowship, £163,316

View all 19 publications on Research Explorer

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