About

I am a researcher and lecturer in Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, specialising in the biochemical pathways underpinning neurodegeneration and healthy neuronal aging. My expertise includes autophagy, microscopy, and C. elegans research. I completed my PhD in Applied Biochemistry (Neuroscience) at the University of the West of England in 2024, where I investigated the role of nutritional metabolism - specifically branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) regulation - in autophagy and its impact on Alzheimer’s disease.

Teaching responsibilities

I lead modules in Cell and Clinical Biochemistry at both Level 5 and Level 6 in the BSc Biomedical Sciences programme, with a strong emphasis on biochemistry. I teach across the various levels in the Biomedical Sciences, Human Biology, and Biology programmes at the University of Derby. I supervise multiple undergraduate research projects, three MSc students, and serve as second supervisor for two PhD candidates.

Research interests

My research focuses on understanding the biochemical mechanisms of neurodegeneration and their cognitive implications, using both cell culture and C. elegans models. Current projects include:

• BCAA regulation and healthy neuronal aging in C. elegans
• Autophagy in the crosstalk between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer’s Disease
• The impact of addiction on autophagy and cognition
• Autophagy’s role in PCOS and endometriosis

I also collaborate with other research groups at the University of Derby, contributing C. elegans models to studies on:

• Apelin in Alzheimer’s disease prognosis
• Oocyte formation
• The Aptamer Innovation Hub

Membership of professional bodies

• British Society for Research on Ageing (BSRA)
• East Midlands Alzheimer’s Research UK Network

Qualifications

• PhD in Applied Biochemistry (Neuroscience)
• BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science

Recent conferences

• GRC Autophagy in Stress, Tuscany, Italy (March 2024)
• Welcome: Trafficking Pathways in Neurodegeneration, Cambridge, UK (September 2023)

Recent publications

A full list of my publications is available via my ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9039-6505