Luca Besso is an MRC-DTP PhD student investigating cell-type-specific genes underlying brain ageing and Alzheimer’s.
He graduated from the University of Manchester with a BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience & Psychology with Industrial Experience, which involved a placement year conducting functional magnetic resonance imaging research into auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia.
In 2025, Luca was accepted onto theMRC-DTP PhD programme. His first year was spent completing three rotations under different supervisors researching a range of topics, including treatment-resistant depression, Parkinson’s disease, and brain ageing. In 2026, Luca committed to a full project under Prof Sandrine Thuret and Dr Timothy Powell’s supervision, investigating the cell-type-specific genes and mechanisms underlying brain ageing and Alzheimer’s.
