Project Title: Glial responses to co-pathologies in Parkinson’s Disease
Supervisor: Dr. Anna Mallach
Location: Level 7, Sir Michael Uren Hub, White City Campus, 86 Wood Lane, W12 0BZ
About Me
I am a President’s PhD Scholar and doctoral student at the Mallach lab within the Imperial UKDRI and Department of Brain Sciences. My project investigates the cellular, morphological and functional changes in glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) as they interact with their local pathological environment (Lewy bodies and amyloid plaques), to understand varying patient outcomes in Parkinson's Disease (PD).
Since my undergraduate degree, I have been deeply fascinated by the various cell types in the brain that support neurons to function as they should. As I progressed in my studies and specialised my focus into learning more about ageing diseases, I was enthralled by the vital role the support and immune cells of the brain play with regards to healthy brain function and also how they are disrupted and change in disease. Working with post-mortem human tissue to explore these glial cells in my Master’s project further engaged my interests in characterising the incredibly versatile and plastic functions these glial cells play in both health and disease. I have now carried this through to my doctoral research and continue to investigate astrocytes and microglia in various neurodegenerative disease contexts, particularly in PD.
Aside from science, I enjoy creative writing, music and threatre, time spent in nature and exploring different cultures through food and travel! As an international student, spending time with my family back home in Sri Lanka or where I grew up in the UAE is mostly what I get up to when I have time off, and that rounds out my time outside the lab.
Qualifications
- 2022 – 2023: MPhil. Medical Science (Clinical Neurosciences), University of Cambridge
- 2019 – 2022: BSc. Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience), King’s College London
Research Interests
- Multi-omics approaches in human post-mortem tissue
- Glial cell function in neurodegenerative diseases
- Molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammation
Presentations and Conferences
Poster Presentations:
- UK Glia Meeting (2026)
- UKDRI’s Connectome (2025, 2026)
- Alzheimer’s Reserch, UK (ARUK) Annual Conference (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- The 14th International Conference for Frontemporal Dementias (2024)
Oral Flash Talks:
- Tau Global Conference (2025)
- British Neuropathological Society’s Annual Conference (2024)
Selected Publications
S. S. Wijesinghe, J. B. Rowe, H. D. Mason, K. S. J. Allinson, et al. Post-mortem validation of in vivo TSPO PET as a microglial biomarker. Brain, Volume 148, Issue 6, June 2025, Pages 1904–1910, https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awaf078
R. Garza, A. Adami, A. Thiruvalluvan, S. S. Wijesinghe, et al. Activation of transposable elements is linked to a region- and cell type–specific interferon response in Parkinson’s disease. Science Advances, Volume 12, Issue 36, September 2026, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed295
S. L. Boulger, L. Melgosa-Ecenarro, Magdelena Z., et al. Glial subcellular specialisation resolved with high resolution spatial transcriptomics. Preprint, July 2026, https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.12.737168
D. S. Vontobel, K. O. Lai., M. Bacioglu, et al. TSPO PET binding in vivo reflects increased phagocytic microglia at post mortem in people with frontotemporal dementia. Preprint, June 2026, https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.22.26356176
Outreach & Mentoring
Being from outside the UK and also the first in my family to attend university, I have always been passionate about contributing to the communities I grew up in and the ones I am currently a part of. From academic guidance, science communication and advice on living a continent away from family and friends, I have spent the last eight years mentoring diverse groups of students and beyond on academic pursuits, UCAS applications, managing workload, scientific research and university life.
- Confronting Inequality in Education Mentor, Imperial College London (2025 – Present)
- Stall Co-Lead in the Great Exhibition Road Festival, Imperial College London (2026)
- Accessibility & Disability Study Skills Tutor, University of Cambridge (2023 – 2024)
- Widening Participation Speaker, University of Cambridge (2023)
- Anatomy Alumni Career Evening Speaker, King’s College London (2022, 2023)
- Peer Assisted Learning Leader, King’s College London (2020 – 2022)
Contact Details
Email: ashlesha.patil21@imperial.ac.uk
LinkedIn: ashlesha-patil-854543179
