Dundee Parkinson's Research Campaign - Dr Tom Gilbertson

Parkinson’s disease is refusing to surrender its secrets easily. While decades of research have resulted in small but significant breakthroughs, solving the Parkinson’s puzzle will require many more years of dedication from some of the most inquisitive minds in science.

One of the people already committed to that cause is Dr Tom Gilbertson, a NRS Clinical Research Fellow and Consultant Neurologist based at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital.

“When I was studying medicine, neuroscience was the only thing that really fascinated me. I always wanted to look beyond the curriculum and that has led me to a field that I am incredibly passionate about.

“There are many other important disciplines, but when faced with something like Parkinson’s you have a problem that is so multi-faceted and complex that there is a lifetime of discoveries to be made.”

As an undergraduate at University College London, Dr Gilbertson undertook an intercalated PhD, allowing him to complete his PhD as an undergraduate.  It was during that time that he worked with the Professor Peter Brown, an expert in deep brain stimulation, before postdoctoral research with Professor Rodolfo Llinas at New York University.

After completing his clinical training in Medicine in London, Dr Gilbertson made the move home to Dundee where he completed his Neurology training and where he has established himself at the forefront of Parkinson’s treatment.

“Dario Alessi and Miratul Muqit work to the point where the cells die off, but that’s where my work just begins. I am deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with looking after patients who have to adapt to living with this condition in their own unique and personal ways. This privilege has emphasised the need to identify new approaches to improving the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s. Our fundraising campaign to bring MRI-guided focused ultrasound exemplifies this and aims to place the University of Dundee at the forefront of delivering advances in medical technology and research.