University of Salford
I joined the University of Salford as lecturer in Biomedical Science in 2010 where I now lead research on respiratory disease and aspects of drug development for leukaemia.
As Programme lead for the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accredited degree in Biomedical Science, I enjoy bringing clinical aspects to both teaching and research. I am passionate about ensuring the course curriculum is contemporary by co-developing it with external partners and leading employers in the field.
The Biomedical Science programme team and I are proud to release a new Biomedical Science apprenticeship degree for suitable biomedical scientist trainees, making Salford University one of the very first in the UK to bring educational opportunities into the workplace in a structured apprentice degree format.
One goal of the programme is to share key skills and expertise with students so they too can better understand pathological processes in disease and become the next generation of highly employable research / diagnostic scientists.
Prior to this I worked with respiratory physicians and research scientists in the University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM), North West Lung Centre (NWLC) Labs and the Medicines Evaluation Unit (MEU). Research characterised the pathology of lung tissue in respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Pharmacological studies characterised the action of novel therapeutic drugs; contributing to drug development for COPD treatments. My time here was had multifaceted roles including lab management, clinical studies, clinical trials, and collaborative work with industry.
As a mid-stage postdoctoral scientist, I was based at Paterson Institute for Cancer Research undertaking clinical studies contributing to HPV vaccine development for cervical cancer prevention. My work also contributed to immune vaccine development for the oncofetal antigen, 5T4, a key cancer treatment target being pursued in current clinical trials.
Early-stage post-doctoral work was at Sunderland University and Newcastle University and focused on understanding the immunological mechanisms that occur during lung transplant rejection and how these may be reversed to improve organ recipient survival.
I completed my PhD at the University of Sheffield to study the role of mast cells in allergic disease in the absence of IgE to explain a mechanism of why some people may be more sensitive to our environment than others. This study was the initiation of my passion for researching respiratory disease and my published career in lung immunology. Prior to this was a Masters degree in Immunology & Immunogenetics at Manchester University and I started my science career at Salford University with a BSc hons in Biological + Biochemical Science.
It is a privilege to now be leading teaching and research at the university to which I owe so much.
Areas of research
Respiratory, Inflammation, Disease, Fibrosis, Leukemia
Qualifications
PhD: Mast Cell Activation events in the absence of IgE sensitization in allergic disease. (University of Sheffield)
MSc: Immunology & Immunogenetics (University of Manchester)
BSc: Biological & Biochemical Science
Memberships
FHEA: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy FHEA
ILM: Institute of Leadership & Management L5
British Thoracic Society
British Society for Immunology
British Association for Lung Research
European Respiratory Society
0161 295 3864 