Staff Profile

I am a Newcastle University Academic Track (NUAcT) fellow within the Biosciences Institute.

Past Positions:

University of Cambridge - Postdoctoral Research Assistant (2016-2022)

University of Dundee - PhD student (2011-2015)

Qualifications:

PhD in Cell Biology, University of Dundee, 2015

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences, University of Dundee, 2011

The cellular response to hypoxia (low oxygen) and inflammation is critical to life. This is particularly important for immune cells, which must function in diverse microenvironments of fluctuating oxygen and inflammation. Uncontrolled inflammation and hypoxia are major contributors to disease conditions such as cancer, autoimmunity, and neurodegeneration. Therefore, understanding how the cellular response to hypoxia and inflammation is controlled could lead to the development of new therapies to treat disease. The two main transcription factors involved in adaption to hypoxia and inflammation are Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIFs) and Nuclear Factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB). Upon activation during hypoxia or inflammation, HIF and NF-kB facilitate transcriptional programmes to restore cellular homeostasis.

My research group uses innovative forward genetic screening and proteomics to interrogate the signaling networks which underpin the cellular response to hypoxia and inflammation. The ultimate goal of the lab is to identify new therapeutic targets to treat cancer, autoimmunity, and neurodegeneration.

I am always open to inquiries for prospective undergraduate and PhD students as well postdoctoral researchers.