Head of the John Dawson Drug Discovery and Development Research Institute, and Professor of Cell Biology
My research is directed towards deciphering the molecular regulation of the cellular process of autophagy in the skin, specifically skin cancer and the inflammatory skin disorder psoriasis. My work has made original and translational contributions to cancer/dermatology research, highlighting novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to harness deregulated cell signalling for clinical benefit.
I also hold research leadership roles. As Head of the John Dawson Drug Discovery and Development Research Institute, I am responsible provision of academic and strategic leadership and vision, as well as operational management. I am also the operational lead for the university MRC Impact Acceleration Account and contribute to the university REF submission through my work as a Unit of Assessment leader.
I am currently the Chief Research Officer at AMLo Biosciences Ltd.
Teaching and supervision
I currently teach topics and supervise undergraduate research projects relating to cancer and skin disease, as well as laboratory medicine, on BSc Biomedical Science and BSc Healthcare Science (Life Sciences).
Research interests for potential research students
I can offer projects in areas related to my research in cancer biology and skin disease, such as (but not restricted to) identification of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers, drug targets, and cellular models of disease.
Research
The catabolic process of autophagy (self-eating) promotes cell survival and health, and deregulated autophagy is associated with numerous diseases, including cancer. My current research is directed toward deciphering the molecular regulation of autophagy in the skin. Research projects (in collaboration with Newcastle University, Complutense University (Madrid), and the University of Rome) include analysis of cell fate decisions in response to autophagy-inducing drugs (cannabinoids, dithranol) in cancer and psoriasis, as well as identification of prognostic biomarkers for skin cancer.
Recent research has identified a biomarker able to identify patients with early-stage melanomas at genuine low risk of progression, as well as the biological mechanism underpinning this biomarker, supporting its prognostic value.
