Dear reader,
For the purposes of transparency and full disclosure, there have been some changes in my personal circumstances that I need to make you aware of going forward.
No, the SoPD is not stopping (calm down Lionel), but it will no longer be the blog of a research scientist.
Let me explain:
I have decided to step away from academia – to take up a new role as the Deputy Director of Research at the Cure Parkinson’s Trust, which I will be starting on the 1st of October.
It was a very easy decision to make as the aims and goals of CPT are very much in line with my own. I also believe that this is a very exciting time for Parkinson’s research, and I am extremely excited to be taking on a more proactive and impactful role.
The SoPD will continue as usual, but please understand that any opinions expressed here will be solely my own and may not necessarily reflect those of the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
Sincerely,
Simon
PS We will be relentless
The banner for today’s post was sourced from culcmirzah4
wonderful news – I’m delighted you have such a prestigious job. I hope CPT will make a real difference in the search for a Cure for everyone
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Thanks Chris. Every effort will be made.
Kind regards,
Simon
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Great news for you, personally, and wonderful news for the Parkinson’s community! Best of luck in your new position.
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Thank you Douglas – much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Simon
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Phew, I was afraid the blog was coming to an end! This blog has been a tremendous help!! Thanks for all of the effort you put into it!
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You’re very welcome Heidi – glad you find the site helpful. Please let me know if there’s any particular topics your would like discussed.
Simon
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Great News! CPT is a great organization and a leader in PD research. A perfect match. Might we see you in Grand Rap;ids MI next week?
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Thanks Tom! Yes, I will be in Grand Rapids next week – find me and let’s have a chat. I’m easy to find: ridiculously tall and freakishly good looking (with a bit of a kiwi accent). See you next week.
Kind regards,
Simon
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Or, as M. J. Fox would say, “needlessly tall.”
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Such terrific news for both you and CPT! I was afraid you were moving to some version of the Dark Side (where they actually make money; just kidding). Thought that the Grand News wouldn’t be announced until Grand Rapids. Glad to have the mystery solved in advance. Congrats!!
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Thanks Karen! See you next week.
Simon
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Sincerest congratulations from me and from everyone at Parkinson’s UK Oxford!
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Many thanks Jonathan. I will see you Oxford folks on the 3rd October – looking forward to it!
Kind regards,
Simon
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Wonderful news, Simon! Thought we would have to wait for the ‘grand announcement’ in Grand Rapids. Congrats to both you and Cure Parkinson’s Trust!
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Thanks Karen. ‘Grand announcements’ is definitely not my style 🙂
Kind regards,
Simon
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Excellent. I saw the post and thought, oh oh. Great opportunity.
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Thanks John. It is an amazing opportunity. And at such an exciting time for Parkinson’s research. I feel humbled and honored to be invited to join CPT at this moment in time, and tremendously excited by what lies ahead.
Kind regards,
Simon
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Congratulations on your new job appointment.
I am pleased you will not be giving up the Science of Parkinson’s. It is such a great resouce and source of information for the PD community.
Keith
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Thanks Keith – much appreciated.
Simon
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Congratulations, Simon! I recently found this site and I love it!! Introduced my neurologist to it, and he was impressed – he said, “incredibly well written and engaging.” Loved your PS – We will be relentless. We’re relying on you!
Best, Nadra
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Thanks Nadra – your comment means a lot!
Simon
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Congratulations!
Thanks for fighting the good fight on our behalf.
PS the LCT rocks!
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Thanks Double!
PS I agree
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Congratulations! I was afraid for a second that you were ending your blog. I’m always excited when I see a new post. Best wishes at your new position.
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Thanks Myra! Glad you like the website
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Congratulations to Cure Parkinson’s Trust for such a great catch! Someone with a broad understanding of the disease, and yet able to explain the science so clearly. We’re expecting great things!
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Thanks Tom!
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Congratulations on the career move Simon. This sounds like a win-win-win.
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Thanks Alex – much appreciated.
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Congratulations Simon! It is likely the perfect wedding of minds where both the bride (CPT) and the groom (Simon) should be delighted! May the merger of your brains last for many, many years and be very productive. I have no doubts that it will. Looking forward to seeing you here in Grand Rapids in a few days from now.
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Thanks Prof Brundin – looking forward to catching up this week and to working together again!
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Congratulations from Hawaii! Keep all the great information coming. We appreciate it!
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Thanks from Cambridge Kai!
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Such a nice community around this blog–one of the treasures of the world wide web. Cure is lucky to have you. Sorry I’ll miss out on seeing you in Amway-ville. Maybe next time.
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You are right Diana – I am quite touched by the level of this response. It was not expected. Flattered indeed. Shame not to see you next week – another time.
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Great news.
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Glad you think so Jellywoman!
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Congratulations Simon, I’m very pleased for you – the CPT have acquired a great asset in the pursuit of Parkinson’s solutions. Best wishes.
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Thanks Rogere – much appreciated
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Congratulations; I can see how this puts you at the nexus of patients and research already occupied by your blog. Although it’s puzzling that, as “Deputy Directory of Research” you would not still be a “Research Scientist.” But I suppose there must be more of an administrative and/or communications aspect to this position, as opposed to a “late nights all alone with a test tube” orientation. Perfect choice, in any case, for both you and the Trust.
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Thanks Lou – the new role is more administrative and science communications. I am leaving the lab bench behind – the last few weeks in the lab before leaving had a melancholic aspect to them as I was doing various techniques and thinking ‘this might be the last time I ever do this’. But I am hugely excited by the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to being part of the overall effort to have a real impact on PD.
Kind regards,
Simon
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And, the formal announcement: https://www.cureparkinsons.org.uk/news/simon-stott-joins-cpt
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Congratulations Simon. Glad to see that you will continue with your blog, would have missed them. I pass them on to our local Parkinson’s branch and the way that you manage to simplify even the most involved of subjects really helps to get the message through to us lesser mortals!.
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Thanks Alan – I’m glad it all makes sense (sometimes when writing it I do wonder!).
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Wow Simon! That’s fantastic news for all your fans. I’ll introduce myself on Wednesday; look for the guy in the Rock Steady Boxing shirt. Dan McEachin
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Thanks Daniel – I am writing this after meeting you (which was a genuine pleasure). I hope all is well in the gym.
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Simon, Congratulations and best of luck in your new position. I am sure that you will make a difference in the fight with this terrible disease and with your help the Trust will live up to its name. If your new job takes you to Grand Rapids, Michigan stop by for a cup of tea and a friendly conversation: I live just a couple of hour drive away from GR.
Thank you for all your help!
Felix
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Thanks Felix – apologies, but I am writing this a week after visiting Grand Rapids. That cup of tea and conversation will have to wait until next year!
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Congrats on the new position. That’s the perfect position for you! All the best!
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Thanks Matt – much appreciated!
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Fantastic news for the PD community with the addition of a great talent to a great organization! I’m so happy we had some time to speak in Grand Rapids this past week. Finally, congratulations on being a co-recipient of this year’s Tom Issacs Award (along with Professor Bastiaan Bloem)!! A well deserved award for both of you.
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Thanks Gary – I hope you got home ok from Grand Rapids – it was very nice to meet you too and I look forward to following up that conversation. The award was wholly unexpected and took me completely by surprise. I was lost for words. I was honored to be mentioned in the same sentence as Prof Bas Bloem, let alone to be sharing an award with him. It meant a lot that the community voted for me and I was deeply touched.
Kind regards,
Simon
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Simon, Delighted to hear your blog will continue, it is extremely useful. I am forging my own path through PD, ever the experimental biologist ! So will be in touch via Helen at CPT when I have a proposal.
Best regards, Peter
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Thanks Peter – glad you like the website. Look forward to hearing about what you have cooking.
Kind regards,
Simon
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