Denise McDonald

Dr. Denise McDonald is a Senior Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast's School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, affiliated with the Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine. She teaches courses including Cardiovascular Pathobiology & Treatment and mentors medical students.

Her research focuses on vascular biology and cell-cell communication in retinal diseases, with particular interest in oxidative stress impacts on vascular function. She investigates signaling pathways involving nitric oxide synthases, NADPH oxidase, and reactive oxygen species using primary cell cultures and gene delivery models.

Her publications demonstrate a consistent focus on retinal vascular biology and endothelial cell function. Recent work explores molecular mechanisms in cell cycle regulation and neuroprotective strategies for retinal diseases.

Dr. McDonald leads several active research projects including studies on vascular function modulation and retinal disease treatment strategies funded by organizations like the Wellcome Trust and British Heart Foundation.