Andrew McIntosh
@mcintosh2001.bsky.social
Director of the UKRI Mental Health Platform & VP of ISPG. Prof of Biological Psychiatry and NHS Consultant
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
Are you an ECR in mental health research?
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Join our ECR Workshop
🗓️ 9 Oct 2025 | 📍 Edinburgh | 💷 £25
Hosted by @mqmentalhealth.bsky.social & @datamind.bsky.social in partnership with MHP
👉 rebrand.ly/ecr-workshop
#ECR #MentalHealthResearch #MHPSummit2025
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Join our ECR Workshop
🗓️ 9 Oct 2025 | 📍 Edinburgh | 💷 £25
Hosted by @mqmentalhealth.bsky.social & @datamind.bsky.social in partnership with MHP
👉 rebrand.ly/ecr-workshop
#ECR #MentalHealthResearch #MHPSummit2025
July 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Are you an ECR in mental health research?
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Join our ECR Workshop
🗓️ 9 Oct 2025 | 📍 Edinburgh | 💷 £25
Hosted by @mqmentalhealth.bsky.social & @datamind.bsky.social in partnership with MHP
👉 rebrand.ly/ecr-workshop
#ECR #MentalHealthResearch #MHPSummit2025
Ready to take the next step in your career?
Join our ECR Workshop
🗓️ 9 Oct 2025 | 📍 Edinburgh | 💷 £25
Hosted by @mqmentalhealth.bsky.social & @datamind.bsky.social in partnership with MHP
👉 rebrand.ly/ecr-workshop
#ECR #MentalHealthResearch #MHPSummit2025
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
🚨 Final day to submit your EOI tomorrow!
It’s short, it’s key, it’s your start to a £300k Fellowship
👉 bit.ly/expression-i...
It’s short, it’s key, it’s your start to a £300k Fellowship
👉 bit.ly/expression-i...
ECR Fellowships Expression of Interest | Mental health platform
We invite Expressions of Interest from Early Career Researchers (ECRs) who are considering applying to the next round of UKRI Mental Health Platform ECR funding.
bit.ly
July 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🚨 Final day to submit your EOI tomorrow!
It’s short, it’s key, it’s your start to a £300k Fellowship
👉 bit.ly/expression-i...
It’s short, it’s key, it’s your start to a £300k Fellowship
👉 bit.ly/expression-i...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
Work in Digital Data & AI, Lifestyle & Wellbeing, or Pharma & BioTech?
Join The Alliance: seeking industry partners to transform research into real-world impact for severe mental illness.
Apply here: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
In partnership with @datamind.bsky.social
Join The Alliance: seeking industry partners to transform research into real-world impact for severe mental illness.
Apply here: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
In partnership with @datamind.bsky.social
June 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Work in Digital Data & AI, Lifestyle & Wellbeing, or Pharma & BioTech?
Join The Alliance: seeking industry partners to transform research into real-world impact for severe mental illness.
Apply here: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
In partnership with @datamind.bsky.social
Join The Alliance: seeking industry partners to transform research into real-world impact for severe mental illness.
Apply here: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
In partnership with @datamind.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
📢The MHP Industry Alliance is open for new members from Industry to join.
The next Industry Alliance Forum with @datamind.bsky.social will focus on Digital, Data & AI.
Join the Alliance to stay updated: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
The next Industry Alliance Forum with @datamind.bsky.social will focus on Digital, Data & AI.
Join the Alliance to stay updated: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
June 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
📢The MHP Industry Alliance is open for new members from Industry to join.
The next Industry Alliance Forum with @datamind.bsky.social will focus on Digital, Data & AI.
Join the Alliance to stay updated: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
The next Industry Alliance Forum with @datamind.bsky.social will focus on Digital, Data & AI.
Join the Alliance to stay updated: www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-industry
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
Partnerships between researchers, clinicians, patients & local communities are essential for producing research that is useful in the real world.
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and the theme this year is COMMUNITY.
🧵 THREAD
#MentalHealthResearch #Collaboration
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2aW...
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and the theme this year is COMMUNITY.
🧵 THREAD
#MentalHealthResearch #Collaboration
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2aW...
Funding mental health research collaborations across sectors and communities
YouTube video by Mental Elf
www.youtube.com
May 16, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Partnerships between researchers, clinicians, patients & local communities are essential for producing research that is useful in the real world.
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and the theme this year is COMMUNITY.
🧵 THREAD
#MentalHealthResearch #Collaboration
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2aW...
It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and the theme this year is COMMUNITY.
🧵 THREAD
#MentalHealthResearch #Collaboration
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2aW...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
What is social health - and why does it matter?
Our Hub lead Prof. Jennifer Lau co-authored an article on why social health should stand alongside physical & mental health - especially to improve lives for people with severe mental illness.
Read more 👉 rebrand.ly/third-pillar
Our Hub lead Prof. Jennifer Lau co-authored an article on why social health should stand alongside physical & mental health - especially to improve lives for people with severe mental illness.
Read more 👉 rebrand.ly/third-pillar
Social Health: third pillar of health | Mental health platform
One of our Hub leads, Prof Jennifer Lau, co-authored an article this year describing how social health should be considered alongside physical health and mental health, and how this could help to…
rebrand.ly
April 29, 2025 at 8:01 AM
What is social health - and why does it matter?
Our Hub lead Prof. Jennifer Lau co-authored an article on why social health should stand alongside physical & mental health - especially to improve lives for people with severe mental illness.
Read more 👉 rebrand.ly/third-pillar
Our Hub lead Prof. Jennifer Lau co-authored an article on why social health should stand alongside physical & mental health - especially to improve lives for people with severe mental illness.
Read more 👉 rebrand.ly/third-pillar
📣 New Preprint: Protocol for Depression Genetics in Africa (DepGenAfrica), supported by @wellcometrust.bsky.social osf.io/preprints/os...
April 29, 2025 at 8:18 AM
📣 New Preprint: Protocol for Depression Genetics in Africa (DepGenAfrica), supported by @wellcometrust.bsky.social osf.io/preprints/os...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
The Industry Alliance Forum meeting will unite the UKRI Mental Health Platform with key industry partners to shape the future of mental healthcare.
To be invited to this influential event as an industry member, you need to first Join the Alliance:
www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-in...
To be invited to this influential event as an industry member, you need to first Join the Alliance:
www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-in...
March 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The Industry Alliance Forum meeting will unite the UKRI Mental Health Platform with key industry partners to shape the future of mental healthcare.
To be invited to this influential event as an industry member, you need to first Join the Alliance:
www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-in...
To be invited to this influential event as an industry member, you need to first Join the Alliance:
www.mentalhealthplatform.ac.uk/resources-in...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
One week left for Industry partners to Join the Alliance!
Do you work in:
🟣 Pharma & BioTech
🟣 Digital Health
🟣 Lifestyle & Wellbeing,
And are interested in turning research findings into impact for people with severe mental illness?
Apply now:
Do you work in:
🟣 Pharma & BioTech
🟣 Digital Health
🟣 Lifestyle & Wellbeing,
And are interested in turning research findings into impact for people with severe mental illness?
Apply now:
March 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
One week left for Industry partners to Join the Alliance!
Do you work in:
🟣 Pharma & BioTech
🟣 Digital Health
🟣 Lifestyle & Wellbeing,
And are interested in turning research findings into impact for people with severe mental illness?
Apply now:
Do you work in:
🟣 Pharma & BioTech
🟣 Digital Health
🟣 Lifestyle & Wellbeing,
And are interested in turning research findings into impact for people with severe mental illness?
Apply now:
Many thanks to all of the collaborators and funders (esp
@wellcometrust.bsky.social & @ukri.org) who made this DNA methylome-wide study of antidepressant exposure possible www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@wellcometrust.bsky.social & @ukri.org) who made this DNA methylome-wide study of antidepressant exposure possible www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Insights from a methylome-wide association study of antidepressant exposure - Nature Communications
The mechanism of currently prescribed antidepressants is incompletely understood. Here, the study identifies associations between antidepressant use and DNA methylation, highlighting shared signals ac...
www.nature.com
February 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Many thanks to all of the collaborators and funders (esp
@wellcometrust.bsky.social & @ukri.org) who made this DNA methylome-wide study of antidepressant exposure possible www.nature.com/articles/s41...
@wellcometrust.bsky.social & @ukri.org) who made this DNA methylome-wide study of antidepressant exposure possible www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
You might forget how much you drink… but your body remembers.
Prediction of alcohol consumption using blood-based DNA methylation (correlates better with brain health self report!)
clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Prediction of alcohol consumption using blood-based DNA methylation (correlates better with brain health self report!)
clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Blood-based epigenome-wide association study and prediction of alcohol consumption - Clinical Epigenetics
Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for multiple diseases. It is typically assessed via self-report, which is open to measurement error through recall bias. Instead, molecular data such as...
clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com
January 27, 2025 at 2:48 PM
You might forget how much you drink… but your body remembers.
Prediction of alcohol consumption using blood-based DNA methylation (correlates better with brain health self report!)
clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Prediction of alcohol consumption using blood-based DNA methylation (correlates better with brain health self report!)
clinicalepigeneticsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
🌟 ECRs – Funding Alert! 🌟
Our UKRI MHP ECR Fellowship Awards open 1st March 2025!
💡 <£300K, 1–3 years
🤝 Collaborate with MHP Hubs
📚 Access training, resources & PPIE support
📅 Apply by 30th April 2025
🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/42Qn3UZ
#MentalHealth #ECR #Fellowship
Our UKRI MHP ECR Fellowship Awards open 1st March 2025!
💡 <£300K, 1–3 years
🤝 Collaborate with MHP Hubs
📚 Access training, resources & PPIE support
📅 Apply by 30th April 2025
🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/42Qn3UZ
#MentalHealth #ECR #Fellowship
February 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🌟 ECRs – Funding Alert! 🌟
Our UKRI MHP ECR Fellowship Awards open 1st March 2025!
💡 <£300K, 1–3 years
🤝 Collaborate with MHP Hubs
📚 Access training, resources & PPIE support
📅 Apply by 30th April 2025
🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/42Qn3UZ
#MentalHealth #ECR #Fellowship
Our UKRI MHP ECR Fellowship Awards open 1st March 2025!
💡 <£300K, 1–3 years
🤝 Collaborate with MHP Hubs
📚 Access training, resources & PPIE support
📅 Apply by 30th April 2025
🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/42Qn3UZ
#MentalHealth #ECR #Fellowship
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
🔬 What is Immuno-metabolic Depression?
"Recognizing immune-metabolic mechanisms could be a relevant treatment target for part of the depressed population opens the doors to personalised psychiatry.”
Read more: 🔗 https://buff.ly/3WRwYpK
#MentalHealthResearch #DepressionResearch
"Recognizing immune-metabolic mechanisms could be a relevant treatment target for part of the depressed population opens the doors to personalised psychiatry.”
Read more: 🔗 https://buff.ly/3WRwYpK
#MentalHealthResearch #DepressionResearch
Understanding immuno-metabolic depression | Mental health platform
Researchers from ImmunoMIND recently published a review of the research about a form of depression called immuno-metabolic depression.
buff.ly
February 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🔬 What is Immuno-metabolic Depression?
"Recognizing immune-metabolic mechanisms could be a relevant treatment target for part of the depressed population opens the doors to personalised psychiatry.”
Read more: 🔗 https://buff.ly/3WRwYpK
#MentalHealthResearch #DepressionResearch
"Recognizing immune-metabolic mechanisms could be a relevant treatment target for part of the depressed population opens the doors to personalised psychiatry.”
Read more: 🔗 https://buff.ly/3WRwYpK
#MentalHealthResearch #DepressionResearch
🔊The launch of "Depression Genetics in Africa" in Ethiopia - suported by @wellcometrust.bsky.social
DepGenAfrica is recruiting in Malawi & shortly in Nigeria
Incredibly exciting to be a part of this project
DepGenAfrica is recruiting in Malawi & shortly in Nigeria
Incredibly exciting to be a part of this project
February 13, 2025 at 2:23 PM
🔊The launch of "Depression Genetics in Africa" in Ethiopia - suported by @wellcometrust.bsky.social
DepGenAfrica is recruiting in Malawi & shortly in Nigeria
Incredibly exciting to be a part of this project
DepGenAfrica is recruiting in Malawi & shortly in Nigeria
Incredibly exciting to be a part of this project
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
🧠 Piece of Mind blog: Meet Jodie Gill, research coordinator for the Brain & Genomics Hub!
Learn about her collaborative work with the professional PPIE group, and the future of SMI research.
Read more: 👉👀https://buff.ly/42FRYn2
#mentalhealthresearch
@braingenhub.bsky.social
Learn about her collaborative work with the professional PPIE group, and the future of SMI research.
Read more: 👉👀https://buff.ly/42FRYn2
#mentalhealthresearch
@braingenhub.bsky.social
Meet our Brain and Genomics research co-ordinator | Mental health platform
Jodie Gill is a registered mental health nurse and worked in clinical practice for almost 10 years. She’s now the research co-ordinator for the Brain and Genomics Hub and works in close collaboration…
buff.ly
February 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🧠 Piece of Mind blog: Meet Jodie Gill, research coordinator for the Brain & Genomics Hub!
Learn about her collaborative work with the professional PPIE group, and the future of SMI research.
Read more: 👉👀https://buff.ly/42FRYn2
#mentalhealthresearch
@braingenhub.bsky.social
Learn about her collaborative work with the professional PPIE group, and the future of SMI research.
Read more: 👉👀https://buff.ly/42FRYn2
#mentalhealthresearch
@braingenhub.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
📢 Announcing the MHP Industry Alliance 📢
We are seeking leading industry experts from pharma and biotech to turn research findings into real-world positive impacts for people with SMI.
👉Find out more: https://buff.ly/3WG1PW7
⏳ Apply by: 24th March 2025
#Biotech #Pharma
We are seeking leading industry experts from pharma and biotech to turn research findings into real-world positive impacts for people with SMI.
👉Find out more: https://buff.ly/3WG1PW7
⏳ Apply by: 24th March 2025
#Biotech #Pharma
Resources for industry | Mental health platform
We want to work with trusted industry partners to turn research findings into real-world positive impacts for people with SMI.
buff.ly
February 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
📢 Announcing the MHP Industry Alliance 📢
We are seeking leading industry experts from pharma and biotech to turn research findings into real-world positive impacts for people with SMI.
👉Find out more: https://buff.ly/3WG1PW7
⏳ Apply by: 24th March 2025
#Biotech #Pharma
We are seeking leading industry experts from pharma and biotech to turn research findings into real-world positive impacts for people with SMI.
👉Find out more: https://buff.ly/3WG1PW7
⏳ Apply by: 24th March 2025
#Biotech #Pharma
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
Please welcome the International Society for Psychiatric Genetics to Bluesky! Please follow them!
AND if you are a member, join us next week for this community discussion about the happenings at NIH..
@mcintosh2001.bsky.social @jettyraventos.bsky.social @jorsmo.bsky.social @michelnivard.bsky.social
AND if you are a member, join us next week for this community discussion about the happenings at NIH..
@mcintosh2001.bsky.social @jettyraventos.bsky.social @jorsmo.bsky.social @michelnivard.bsky.social
Unsure how recent changes in U.S. policy regarding the NIH will impact the psychiatric genetics world? You're not alone. Join ISPG for a Member’s Meetup for community discussion and support:
📅 Wednesday, January 29
🕗 3 PM EST
📍 Pre-Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
📅 Wednesday, January 29
🕗 3 PM EST
📍 Pre-Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Please welcome the International Society for Psychiatric Genetics to Bluesky! Please follow them!
AND if you are a member, join us next week for this community discussion about the happenings at NIH..
@mcintosh2001.bsky.social @jettyraventos.bsky.social @jorsmo.bsky.social @michelnivard.bsky.social
AND if you are a member, join us next week for this community discussion about the happenings at NIH..
@mcintosh2001.bsky.social @jettyraventos.bsky.social @jorsmo.bsky.social @michelnivard.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
Unsure how recent changes in U.S. policy regarding the NIH will impact the psychiatric genetics world? You're not alone. Join ISPG for a Member’s Meetup for community discussion and support:
📅 Wednesday, January 29
🕗 3 PM EST
📍 Pre-Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
📅 Wednesday, January 29
🕗 3 PM EST
📍 Pre-Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
January 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Unsure how recent changes in U.S. policy regarding the NIH will impact the psychiatric genetics world? You're not alone. Join ISPG for a Member’s Meetup for community discussion and support:
📅 Wednesday, January 29
🕗 3 PM EST
📍 Pre-Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
📅 Wednesday, January 29
🕗 3 PM EST
📍 Pre-Register: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
New study from the @pgcgenetics.bsky.social:
Multi-ancestry GWAS of MDD in over half a million cases and 4 million controls.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Multi-ancestry GWAS of MDD in over half a million cases and 4 million controls.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Trans-ancestry genome-wide study of depression identifies 697 associations implicating cell types and pharmacotherapies
Trans-ancestry GWAS of major depression identifies 697 genetic variants and 308 genes,
implicating neural and molecular mechanisms and drug repurposing opportunities.
www.cell.com
January 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
New study from the @pgcgenetics.bsky.social:
Multi-ancestry GWAS of MDD in over half a million cases and 4 million controls.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Multi-ancestry GWAS of MDD in over half a million cases and 4 million controls.
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
2/2 I suppose that rigorous rebuttals which demonstrate the flaws in a piece of research are just not considered interesting by @thetimes.com journalists.
rdcu.be/d50Xp
@sameerjauhar.bsky.social @jfhayes.bsky.social @profrobhoward.bsky.social @dranniehickox.bsky.social @carminepariante.bsky.social
rdcu.be/d50Xp
@sameerjauhar.bsky.social @jfhayes.bsky.social @profrobhoward.bsky.social @dranniehickox.bsky.social @carminepariante.bsky.social
A leaky umbrella has little value: evidence clearly indicates the serotonin system is implicated in depression
Molecular Psychiatry - A recent “umbrella” review examined various biomarkers relating to the serotonin system, and concluded there was no consistent evidence implicating serotonin in...
rdcu.be
January 12, 2025 at 12:49 PM
2/2 I suppose that rigorous rebuttals which demonstrate the flaws in a piece of research are just not considered interesting by @thetimes.com journalists.
rdcu.be/d50Xp
@sameerjauhar.bsky.social @jfhayes.bsky.social @profrobhoward.bsky.social @dranniehickox.bsky.social @carminepariante.bsky.social
rdcu.be/d50Xp
@sameerjauhar.bsky.social @jfhayes.bsky.social @profrobhoward.bsky.social @dranniehickox.bsky.social @carminepariante.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
1/2 V. disappointed to see this article making headlines yet again, with no mention of its deep methodological flaws and the vilification of its opponents.
www.thetimes.com/uk/society/a...
Do antidepressants work? This British professor says they don’t
Joanna Moncrieff is a professor and NHS psychiatrist who dared to argue that depression is not a physical illness. As a result she has been abused by peers — and championed by Tucker Carlson. Is her t...
www.thetimes.com
January 12, 2025 at 12:49 PM
1/2 V. disappointed to see this article making headlines yet again, with no mention of its deep methodological flaws and the vilification of its opponents.
www.thetimes.com/uk/society/a...
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
✨ Proud of 2024, excited for 2025! ✨
Last year we:
🚀 Launched MHP
🤝 Met our brilliant Hub leaders & PPIE reps
🌐 Went live with our website
Check out our 2024 Review 👉 https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
Here’s to an exciting 2025! 💪 #MentalHealthResearch
Last year we:
🚀 Launched MHP
🤝 Met our brilliant Hub leaders & PPIE reps
🌐 Went live with our website
Check out our 2024 Review 👉 https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
Here’s to an exciting 2025! 💪 #MentalHealthResearch
Reflecting on 2024, Ready for 2025 | Mental health platform
We’re proud of everything the MHP has achieved so far – take a look at some highlights and find out what we’ve got planned for next year...
buff.ly
January 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM
✨ Proud of 2024, excited for 2025! ✨
Last year we:
🚀 Launched MHP
🤝 Met our brilliant Hub leaders & PPIE reps
🌐 Went live with our website
Check out our 2024 Review 👉 https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
Here’s to an exciting 2025! 💪 #MentalHealthResearch
Last year we:
🚀 Launched MHP
🤝 Met our brilliant Hub leaders & PPIE reps
🌐 Went live with our website
Check out our 2024 Review 👉 https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
Here’s to an exciting 2025! 💪 #MentalHealthResearch
Reposted by Andrew McIntosh
As 2024 ends, we’re reflecting on the journey since launching the MHP in September. Thank you for your support so far – we’re excited for 2025, including our first conference and new funding opportunities.
Read more: https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
#MentalHealthResearch
Read more: https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
#MentalHealthResearch
Reflecting on 2024, Ready for 2025 | Mental health platform
We’re proud of everything the MHP has achieved so far – take a look at some highlights and find out what we’ve got planned for next year...
buff.ly
December 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM
As 2024 ends, we’re reflecting on the journey since launching the MHP in September. Thank you for your support so far – we’re excited for 2025, including our first conference and new funding opportunities.
Read more: https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
#MentalHealthResearch
Read more: https://buff.ly/4gkEh0B
#MentalHealthResearch
New @ukri.org Mental Health Platform Bluesky page: bsky.app/profile/mhpl...
bsky.app
December 12, 2024 at 2:23 PM
New @ukri.org Mental Health Platform Bluesky page: bsky.app/profile/mhpl...
Terrific visit from Yanni Zeng today - a past PhD student now working in Oxford until next year, and at Sun Yat-sen University in China
December 4, 2024 at 5:14 PM
Terrific visit from Yanni Zeng today - a past PhD student now working in Oxford until next year, and at Sun Yat-sen University in China