Podcasting – Science communication exploring genetics, neuroscience, and psychology
Shubhi Sharma
Lead Practitioner
Glasgow
Summary
Graduate Member of the British Psychological Society with a BSc in Neuroscience and an MSc in Public Health (Data Science), currently working as a Lead Practitioner in drug and alcohol recovery at Turning Point Scotland. I bring extensive experience delivering structured interventions, risk assessments, and person-centred support to individuals with complex needs, alongside strong research expertise including a UK Biobank project on traumatic brain injury biomarkers. Skilled in therapeutic engagement, psychoeducation, safeguarding, and multidisciplinary teamwork, with additional strengths in data analysis (R, MATLAB, C++), I am motivated to apply both clinical insight and research acumen to support psychological assessment, intervention, and evidence-based practice as an Assistant Psychologist.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Practitioner
Turning Point Scotland
07.2025 - Current
- Completed advanced, evidence-based training in alcohol and drug recovery interventions, with a focus on motivational, harm reduction, and relapse prevention strategies.
- Leads on the assessment, planning, and delivery of structured support for clients with complex addiction needs, including risk management and safeguarding.
- Provides one-to-one and group support sessions that integrate elements of counselling, psychoeducation, and behavioural change, while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
- Conducts outreach and engagement with hard-to-reach populations, building therapeutic rapport and supporting service access.
- Liaises with multidisciplinary teams (social workers, healthcare professionals, criminal justice agencies) to ensure holistic care and continuity of support.
- Supervises and mentors junior staff, contributing to service quality improvement and team development.
- Prepares and maintains detailed case records, risk assessments, and progress reports, supporting evidence-based care and service evaluation.
Support Practitioner
Cornerstone
03.2024 - 06.2025
- Delivered person-centred support to individuals with diverse needs, enabling them to achieve personal goals, improve wellbeing, and increase independence.
- Applied Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and de-escalation strategies, working closely with families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic care.
- Conducted structured assessments, risk management, and personal planning, reviewing and updating progress regularly in collaboration with service users.
- Built strong therapeutic relationships through active listening, empathetic communication, and motivational support, enhancing client engagement.
- Supported service users with health, social, and daily living skills, while promoting autonomy and informed decision-making.
- Maintained accurate case notes, risk assessments, and reports, ensuring accountability and alignment with professional standards.
- Gained practical exposure to psychological principles in behaviour change, safeguarding, and wellbeing promotion, laying a foundation for applied psychology practice.
Program Officer
People to People Health Foundation
10.2021 - 04.2022
- Reported to the CEO, Dr. Laxmikant Palo.
- Organised and supervised events to gather neurological and health data.
- Organised dissemination workshops where research findings were shared.
- Prepared progress reports on neurological health studies for the study team and funders.
- Used software to create graphics for reports and events.
- Responsible for PPHF’s social media profiles.
Scientific Researcher
Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center
02.2021 - 09.2021
- Gathered data by attending patient examinations and neurological assessments.
- Analysed data and identified trends.
- Presented findings to the neurological department on a monthly basis.
Public Health Intern (fixed-term project)
Manas Foundation
07.2020 - 04.2021
- Interviewed lived experience advisory group to gather data focused on mental health.
- Analysed the interviewees’ health data.
- Discussed findings with mental health professionals and doctors.
- Organised workshops for teachers and parents in the local communities.
Teaching Assistant, Dr. Kim Finney (fixed-term project)
USC School of Social Work
07.2018 - 06.2020
- Conducted research on the epidemiological validity and long-term effects of pharmacology for mental health disorders.
- Helped prepare findings for publication - proofread and edited Dr. Finney’s textbook on pharmacology for mental health disorders.
Project Coordinator
Advocates for African American Elders
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Transcribed 140 hours of interviews with Alzheimer’s disease patients, caregivers and health professionals, focusing on neurological degeneration patterns.
- Organised community outreach activities to disseminate information on brain health.
- Liaised with private companies to implement interventions for patients.
- Worked effectively as part of a team.
Research Assistant (fixed-term project)
National Brain Research Centre
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Conducted literature review on evolutionary trends of the hippocampus.
- Reviewed and revised articles for submission to the Human Brain Mapping Journal.
Research Assistant (fixed-term project)
Laboratory of Neuroimaging
02.2018 - 04.2019
- Used MATLAB and R to analyse EEG data from post-TBI epileptic patients.
- Identified patterns from the analysis.
- Assisted in constructing causal models.
Research Assistant (fixed-term project)
USC Mather Lab
06.2017 - 12.2017
- Performed literature review of degeneration in early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
- Conducted behavioural data collection sessions and fMRI scans.
- Assisted in analysis of the brain imaging data.
Education
Master’s in Public Health - Merit
University of Glasgow
09.2023
Bachelor’s in Neuroscience - 2:1
University of Southern California
12.2020
Skills
- Clinical & Psychological Skills: Risk assessment, safeguarding, positive behaviour support (PBS), motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, therapeutic rapport building, group facilitation, multidisciplinary team working
- Research & Data Analysis: Data collation, cleaning and quality control; advanced statistical analysis; programming and modelling in R, MATLAB, and C; interpretation of complex datasets (UK Biobank experience)
- Documentation & Reporting: Accurate clinical record-keeping, comprehensive case note documentation, report writing, data presentation
- Professional Competencies: Time management and prioritisation, participant/client recruitment and engagement, supervision and team leadership, reflective practice, adaptability in high-pressure environments
Interests
Scuba Diving – Certified diver with a passion for marine biology and exploration
Reading – Enthusiastic about genetics, neuroscience, and philosophy literature
Volunteer at Homeless Project Scotland – Supporting vulnerable populations through outreach
Affiliations
- Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, British Psychological Society - Division for Clinical Psychology, Division for Cognitive Psychology
Training
- Introduction to Human Behavioral Genetics, University of Minnesota, CourseEra February 2025
- DNA Library Preparation for Short-Read Sequencing, Edinburgh Genomics, University of Edinburgh February 2025
Research Interests
- Neurocognitive markers of mental health disorders (e.g. emotion recognition, memory, attention in mood and psychotic disorders)
- Addiction and recovery science – behavioural interventions, relapse prevention, and psychosocial support outcomes
- Traumatic brain injury and psychiatric risk – links between biomarkers, neurobiology, and mental health outcomes
- Psychological assessment and intervention in community mental health – substance misuse, safeguarding, and recovery models
- Data-driven approaches to psychiatry – using large datasets (e.g. UK Biobank) to uncover biological and behavioural risk factors
- Public health and mental health policy – translating evidence into practice to improve accessibility and service design
Additional information
- Right to work in the UK under a graduate Visa which expires February 2026.
- Willing and able to relocate.
Timeline
Lead Practitioner
Turning Point Scotland
07.2025 - Current
Support Practitioner
Cornerstone
03.2024 - 06.2025
Program Officer
People to People Health Foundation
10.2021 - 04.2022
Scientific Researcher
Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center
02.2021 - 09.2021
Public Health Intern (fixed-term project)
Manas Foundation
07.2020 - 04.2021
Project Coordinator
Advocates for African American Elders
08.2019 - 05.2020
Research Assistant (fixed-term project)
National Brain Research Centre
06.2019 - 07.2019
Teaching Assistant, Dr. Kim Finney (fixed-term project)
USC School of Social Work
07.2018 - 06.2020
Research Assistant (fixed-term project)
Laboratory of Neuroimaging
02.2018 - 04.2019
Research Assistant (fixed-term project)
USC Mather Lab
06.2017 - 12.2017
Bachelor’s in Neuroscience - 2:1
University of Southern California
Master’s in Public Health - Merit
University of Glasgow
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