Dr Gemma Bale is the Gianna Angelopoulos Assistant Professor in Medical Therapeutics. Gemma leads the Neuro Optics Lab, a multidisciplinary group developing new, non-invasive brain monitoring techniques for the measurement of cerebral oxygenation and metabolism in areas where traditional brain monitoring isn’t possible, such as the intensive care unit or in a real-world environment.
Gemma currently focusses on near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based methods to perform in-vivo monitoring of metabolic markers such as haemoglobin oxygenation, mitochondrial function and blood flow. She is interested in pioneering tools and techniques to monitor relevant physiology for both basic science and medical applications, particularly focussed on dementia. Her work is highly translational and she work closely with clinical partners in Addenbrooke’s Hospital to deliver technologies that progress medical therapeutics.
Throughout her career, Gemma has been passionate about communicating science outside of academia. During her PhD, she was awarded the UCL Provost’s Engineering Engager of the Year (2015) award for her work in communicating science to the public in many forms – from stand-up comedy to teaching in schools.
She led an award-winning public engagement platform called MetaboLight at UCL. In 2018, she undertook a Media Fellowship – working as a science journalist for BBC Radio 2, and in the same year was awarded the Isambard Kingdom Brunel Award for Engineering, Technology and Industry by the British Science Association, as part of its prestigious Award Lecture series.