![Emma Yhnell BSc (Hons), PhD, PGCert, MRSB, SFHEA, FLSW, NTF.](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/4467?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Emma Yhnell BSc (Hons), PhD, PGCert, MRSB, SFHEA, FLSW, NTF.
Senior Lecturer
School of Biosciences
- YhnellE@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 29208 75135
- Sir Martin Evans Building, Room C1.16, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
- Media commentator
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
About me
I am an enthusiastic, energetic and award-winning science communicator and educator who is passionate about making science more entertaining, inclusive and accessible. As a first generation academic and regular contributor to local radio and television as well as a commentator for the Science Media Centre, I am enthusiastic about sharing my knowledge and changing the minds of people who nervously think science isn’t for them. I am able to bring my expertise in scientific research, public engagement, pedagogy and teaching to my work.
I obtained a BSc Honours degree in Biochemistry before completing a PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience and Huntington’s disease. I then obtained a prestigious research fellowship to work with families impacted by Huntington’s disease. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and have been accredited with a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. I also hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, completed part-time via distance learning. I now work as a Lecturer in Neuroscience, teaching the next generation of budding scientists.
I am a keen public speaker and aim to inspire my audiences with my infectious enthusiasm and ability to deliver interactive and accessible sessions. I have built a reputation for untangling the academically technical and translating it into entertaining, relevant and accessible content. I believe that public understanding and engagement in research is essential. I am a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) ambassador and can often be found at public engagement and outreach events getting the public involved in science and research. I am a keen science communicator and have published several communication pieces, in addition to my primary research.
For my further information on my science communication activities see my Twitter feed (@EmmaYhnell) and my personal website (emmayhnell.com).
Publication
2022
- Carter, R., Drew, L., Ivan, A., Watt, S. and Yhnell, E. 2022. Simply the brain. Dorling Kindersley.
2020
- Morgan, S., Randle, A., Coombs, R. and Yhnell, E. 2020. Giant genes! The development of an interactive game to engage audiences in genetics. Journal of Stem Outreach 3(1) (10.15695/jstem/v3i1.14.)
- Yhnell, E. et al. 2020. A randomised feasibility study of computerised cognitive training as a therapeutic intervention for people with Huntington's disease (CogTrainHD). Pilot and Feasibility Studies 6, article number: 88. (10.1186/s40814-020-00623-z)
- Yhnell, E., Andrade-Sienz, A. and Knight, J. 2020. “Snap anatomy”: the development of a game to engage audiences in anatomy. Presented at: 19th Congress of The International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA 2019), London, England, 9-11 August 2019, Vol. 236. Vol. S1. Wiley pp. 223., (10.1111/joa.13163)
- Yhnell, E. 2020. How the brain works. How it works. DK.
2019
- Yhnell, E., Smith, H., Walker, K. and Whitehouse, C. 2019. WhyWeDoResearch: using social media effectively and positively as a tool to engage public, patients and healthcare staff in research. Research for All 3(1), pp. 7-17. (10.18546/RFA.03.1.02)
2018
- Furby, H., Yhnell, E., Mazzaschi, F., Mole, J., Busse, M., Rosser, A. E. and Metzler-Baddeley, C. 2018. Using 3T MRI to explore myelin break-down in pre-symptomatic huntington’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 89(S1), pp. A37-A38., article number: E06. (10.1136/jnnp-2018-EHDN.100)
- Yhnell, E. and Heuer, A. 2018. Automated operant assessments of Huntington's Disease mouse models. In: Precious, S., Rosser, A. and Dunnett, S. eds. Huntington’s Disease., Vol. 1780. Methods in Molecular Biology Springer, pp. 143-162., (10.1007/978-1-4939-7825-0_8)
- Yhnell, E. et al. 2018. Exploring computerised cognitive training as a therapeutic intervention for people with Huntington's disease (CogTrainHD): protocol for a randomised feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 4, article number: 45. (10.1186/s40814-018-0237-0)
- Yhnell, E. and Heuer, A. 2018. Automated operant assessments of Huntington's disease mouse model. In: Methods Molecular Biology. Springer Nature
2017
- Yhnell, E. 2017. Huntington's disease: of mice and men. Oncotarget 8(8), pp. 12552-12553. (10.18632/oncotarget.15129)
2016
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. and Brooks, S. 2016. A longitudinal operant assessment of cognitive and behavioural changes in the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. PLoS ONE 11(10), article number: e0164072. (10.1371/journal.pone.0164072)
- Yhnell, E., Lelos, M. J., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. L30 Cognitive training improves disease symptoms in a mouse model of huntington's disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 87(Supp 1), pp. A100-A101. (10.1136/jnnp-2016-314597.285)
- Steventon, J. et al. 2016. Longitudinal in vivo MRI in a Huntington's disease mouse model: global atrophy in the absence of white matter microstructural damage. Scientific Reports 6, article number: 32423. (10.1038/srep32423)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. A longitudinal motor characterisation of the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. Journal of Huntington's Disease 5(2), pp. 149-161. (10.3233/JHD-160191)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. The utilisation of operant delayed matching and non-matching to position for probing cognitive flexibility and working memory in mouse models of Huntington's disease. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 265, pp. 72-80. (10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.08.022)
- Yhnell, E., Lelos, M. J., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. Cognitive training modifies disease symptoms in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Experimental Neurology 282, pp. 19-26. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.05.008)
- Yhnell, E., Wood, H., Baker, M. D., Amici-Dargan, S., Taylor, C. M., Randerson, P. and Shore, A. 2016. The impact of attaining the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma on academic performance in bioscience higher education. International Journal of Science Education 38(1), pp. 156-169. (10.1080/09500693.2015.1135353)
- Smith, P., Yhnell, E., Rutherford, S. and Shore, A. 2016. The 'Sophomore Slump' - do learners recover and can year-on-year grade begin to provide answers to difficult questions?. Presented at: British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Leeds, UK, 13-15 Sept 2016.
2015
- Yhnell, E. 2015. A phenotypic characterisation of the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington’s disease. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Yhnell, E. 2015. James and the giant gene. The Biochemical Society.
2014
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2014. C04 A longitudinal behavioural characterisation of the HDHQ111 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 85(Supp 1), article number: A26. (10.1136/jnnp-2014-309032.77)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2014. The development of operant delayed matching to position for Huntington's disease mouse models. Presented at: 12th meeting of the International Society for Neural Transplantation and Restoration, Vol. 25. Vol. 3. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins pp. 163., (10.1097/01.wnr.0000443076.61006.22)
Articles
- Morgan, S., Randle, A., Coombs, R. and Yhnell, E. 2020. Giant genes! The development of an interactive game to engage audiences in genetics. Journal of Stem Outreach 3(1) (10.15695/jstem/v3i1.14.)
- Yhnell, E. et al. 2020. A randomised feasibility study of computerised cognitive training as a therapeutic intervention for people with Huntington's disease (CogTrainHD). Pilot and Feasibility Studies 6, article number: 88. (10.1186/s40814-020-00623-z)
- Yhnell, E., Smith, H., Walker, K. and Whitehouse, C. 2019. WhyWeDoResearch: using social media effectively and positively as a tool to engage public, patients and healthcare staff in research. Research for All 3(1), pp. 7-17. (10.18546/RFA.03.1.02)
- Furby, H., Yhnell, E., Mazzaschi, F., Mole, J., Busse, M., Rosser, A. E. and Metzler-Baddeley, C. 2018. Using 3T MRI to explore myelin break-down in pre-symptomatic huntington’s disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 89(S1), pp. A37-A38., article number: E06. (10.1136/jnnp-2018-EHDN.100)
- Yhnell, E. et al. 2018. Exploring computerised cognitive training as a therapeutic intervention for people with Huntington's disease (CogTrainHD): protocol for a randomised feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 4, article number: 45. (10.1186/s40814-018-0237-0)
- Yhnell, E. 2017. Huntington's disease: of mice and men. Oncotarget 8(8), pp. 12552-12553. (10.18632/oncotarget.15129)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. and Brooks, S. 2016. A longitudinal operant assessment of cognitive and behavioural changes in the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. PLoS ONE 11(10), article number: e0164072. (10.1371/journal.pone.0164072)
- Yhnell, E., Lelos, M. J., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. L30 Cognitive training improves disease symptoms in a mouse model of huntington's disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 87(Supp 1), pp. A100-A101. (10.1136/jnnp-2016-314597.285)
- Steventon, J. et al. 2016. Longitudinal in vivo MRI in a Huntington's disease mouse model: global atrophy in the absence of white matter microstructural damage. Scientific Reports 6, article number: 32423. (10.1038/srep32423)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. A longitudinal motor characterisation of the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. Journal of Huntington's Disease 5(2), pp. 149-161. (10.3233/JHD-160191)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. The utilisation of operant delayed matching and non-matching to position for probing cognitive flexibility and working memory in mouse models of Huntington's disease. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 265, pp. 72-80. (10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.08.022)
- Yhnell, E., Lelos, M. J., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2016. Cognitive training modifies disease symptoms in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Experimental Neurology 282, pp. 19-26. (10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.05.008)
- Yhnell, E., Wood, H., Baker, M. D., Amici-Dargan, S., Taylor, C. M., Randerson, P. and Shore, A. 2016. The impact of attaining the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma on academic performance in bioscience higher education. International Journal of Science Education 38(1), pp. 156-169. (10.1080/09500693.2015.1135353)
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2014. C04 A longitudinal behavioural characterisation of the HDHQ111 mouse model of Huntington's Disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 85(Supp 1), article number: A26. (10.1136/jnnp-2014-309032.77)
Book sections
- Yhnell, E. and Heuer, A. 2018. Automated operant assessments of Huntington's Disease mouse models. In: Precious, S., Rosser, A. and Dunnett, S. eds. Huntington’s Disease., Vol. 1780. Methods in Molecular Biology Springer, pp. 143-162., (10.1007/978-1-4939-7825-0_8)
- Yhnell, E. and Heuer, A. 2018. Automated operant assessments of Huntington's disease mouse model. In: Methods Molecular Biology. Springer Nature
Books
- Carter, R., Drew, L., Ivan, A., Watt, S. and Yhnell, E. 2022. Simply the brain. Dorling Kindersley.
- Yhnell, E. 2020. How the brain works. How it works. DK.
Conferences
- Yhnell, E., Andrade-Sienz, A. and Knight, J. 2020. “Snap anatomy”: the development of a game to engage audiences in anatomy. Presented at: 19th Congress of The International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA 2019), London, England, 9-11 August 2019, Vol. 236. Vol. S1. Wiley pp. 223., (10.1111/joa.13163)
- Smith, P., Yhnell, E., Rutherford, S. and Shore, A. 2016. The 'Sophomore Slump' - do learners recover and can year-on-year grade begin to provide answers to difficult questions?. Presented at: British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Leeds, UK, 13-15 Sept 2016.
- Yhnell, E., Dunnett, S. B. and Brooks, S. P. 2014. The development of operant delayed matching to position for Huntington's disease mouse models. Presented at: 12th meeting of the International Society for Neural Transplantation and Restoration, Vol. 25. Vol. 3. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins pp. 163., (10.1097/01.wnr.0000443076.61006.22)
Other
- Yhnell, E. 2015. James and the giant gene. The Biochemical Society.
Thesis
- Yhnell, E. 2015. A phenotypic characterisation of the HdhQ111 mouse model of Huntington’s disease. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
Research overview
Alongside my teaching activities, my research largely focuses on neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on Huntington's disease. It is really important to me that my research will impact real people and families. I am also interested in the implications that my work has for other diseases and disorders of the brain as well as the ethical, moral and societal questions that it raises.
Alongside traditional research I have growing research interests in pedagogy and research regarding science communication and public engagement.
Research funding
- Science Stitches – communicating science through fashion. Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund 2019. A. de Almeida, M. et al.
- Resources to EngAge Children from socially-deprived areas in environmental Health (REACH) Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund 2019. S. Morgan, E. Yhnell & K Berube.
- The Society for Applied Microbiology 2019 ‘Microbiology Scrabble’ Z. Bayram-Weston, Y.Nigam & E. Yhnell.
- The Anatomical Society Public Engagement and Outreach Grant ‘Snap Anatomy’ awarded to Z. Bayram-Weston and E. Yhnell.
- Health and Care Research Wales Fellowship Award 1st October 2016 – 30th September 2019. Dr Emma Yhnell Principle Investigator.
- Jacques & Gloria Gossweiler Foundation 1st April 2016 – 30th September 2017. Dr Emma Yhnell - Lead Applicant, Prof Monica Busse, Dr Claudia Metzler-Baddeley and Prof Anne Rosser.
- Biochemical Society Scientific Outreach Grant September 2017 ‘Giant Genes’ awarded to Dr Emma Yhnell.
Teaching
I am an award winning educator having won the Biochemical Society Teaching Award (Early Career) 2023 and been shortlisted for Biosciences Higher Education Teacher of the Year 2022. I am also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am passionate about making teaching inclusive, accessible and inspiring for learners.
Teaching overview:
I lecture in a wide range of subjects within the School of Biosciences, covering neuroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology and disease mechanisms. I have an ongoing interest in pedagogic research which includes research into admissions practices, policies and procedures. I have received excellent feedback on my innovative and enthusiastic approaches to teaching.
My internal roles include:
- Academic Lead for Public Engagement (2021 - present).
- Academic Lead for e-Learning and Assessment Facility (eLEAF) (2020-2021).
- Admissions Tutor (Neuroscience).
- Personal Tutor.
- Module Lead CE5194 Diseases and Disorders of the Brain (2016 - 2021).
- Module Lead BIT056 Science Communication (2021 - Present).
- Deputy Module Lead BI2431 Brain and Behaviour (2020 - Present).
- Public Contributor Network Committee Member.
My external roles include:
- Science Communication and Public Engagement of Science.
- Public and Patient Involvement in Research.
- Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) Research Wales Committee (Early Career Representative).
- British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Committee (Equality and Diversity).
- Cardiff Science Festival Organising Committee.
- British Science Association Biological Science Section Convenor.
I am a module lead, lecturer and also conduct pedagogic research on teaching practices.
Biography
Education and qualifiations
2016 - 2018 Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (via distance)
2017 - Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
2012 - 2015 PhD Behavioural Neurosciences, Cardiff University
2009 - 2012 BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, Cardiff University
Honours and awards
Biochemical Society Teaching Excellence Award 2024 (Early Career).
Cardiff University Personal Tutor of the Year 2023 - Enriching Student Life Awards (ESLAs).
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2022.
Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales 2022 (youngest ever Fellow).
Cardiff University Celebrating Excellence Awards - Rising Star (Academic) - 2021
Finalist - Royal Society of Biology (RSB) Biosciences Higher Education Teacher of the Year 2021.
I’m a Scientist Get Me Out of Here National Science Communication Competition for School children Winner May 2021.
Cardiff University Enriching Student Life Awards 2021 – Nominated by students as most uplifting staff member of the year.
Cardiff University Celebrating Excellence Awards – Rising Star Early Career Academic 2021. Shortlisted
FameLab Science Communication Competition Winner for Wales 2019
British Neuroscience Association (BNA) Public Engagement Award 2018
British Science Association Charles Darwin Lecture 2018
Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER) Young Investigator Award, 2017
Womenspire Chwarea Teg Rising Star 2017, Finalist
Most Dedicated STEM Ambassador in Wales Finalist, April 2017
WeAreTheCity Rising Star Nomination, March 2017
SET for Britain Research Presentation at the Houses of Parliament, 2016.
The Biochemical Society Scientific Communication Writing Award Winner, 2015
Best PhD talk at Careers in Neuroscience Satellite Event for NECTAR, Galway, Ireland 2014.
Shortlisted Finalist for the Max Perutz Science Writing Award, MRC London, 2013.
Biology Researchers in Schools Certificate, Cardiff University, 2013.
Professional memberships
Bioscience Educators Network
Member of Royal Society of Biology
Fellow of The British American Project November 2021
Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER)
The Federation of Neuroscience Societies (FENS)
The British Neuroscience Association (BNA).
The Higher Education Academy (AFHEA, FHEA, SFHEA).
The European Huntington’s Disease Network (EHDN).
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassador.
The Biochemical Society.
Academic positions
Senior Lecturer, Teaching and Scholarship, School of Biosciences (August 2021 - Present).
Lecturer, Teaching and Scholarship, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University (September 2019 - July 2021).
Health and Care Research Wales Fellow, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University (September 2016 - September 2019)
Lecturer at The Centre for Continuing Professional Education and Development (Jan. 2016 – Present)
Research Associate, The Brain Repair Group Cardiff University (Oct. 2015 – March 2016)
PhD Student, The Brain Repair Group, Cardiff University (Sept 2012 – Sept 2015)
Committees and reviewing
ALBA Board Member (Global Diversity in Neuroscience network)
Welsh Government Equity in STEM Board
Senedd Cross Party Group on STEM
Biochemical Society Policy Advisory Panel
Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Communications Committee
Grant reviewer Health and Care Research Wales
British Neuroscience Association Committee - Equity and Diversity
Engagement
For my current public engagement and science communication activities see my Twitter feed (@EmmaYhnell) and my personal website: emmayhnell.com.
Engagement and Outreach Activities
I strongly believe that we have a responsibilty to engage the general public in science, specifically research. In addition to formal academic talks, I have given over 100 talks at public engagement events to local, national and international audiences. This includes; the general public, school children, patients and elderly people.
I am involved in several science communication groups, events and committees including:
- Cardiff Science Festival Organising Committee 2019 - Present.
- FameLab 2019 Welsh Winner
- Huntington's Disease Association Northern Ireland, Keynote speaker 2019.
- #WhyWeDoResearch campaign Welsh National lead.
- Royal Society Pairing Scheme 2018 (Paired with Kevin Brennan MP).
- British Science Association Charles Darwin Lecture 2018.
- Hay Festival 2018.
- Soapbox Science Presenter 2018.
- Pint of Science Speaker 2018.
- Huntington's Disease Ireland - Keynote speaker 2017.
- STEM Ambassador.
- Wales Gene Park Speaker.
- British Science Association (Cardiff Branch) SciCafe Presenter.
- Cardiff University Brain Games volunteer and presenter (2013-present).
- Cardiff University Directory of Expertise for Media Engagement.
- Cardiff University Engagement Champion 2016 (https://youtu.be/9JGB-jK22G0).
