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Dr. Thomas A. Hughes is an Associate Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of Leeds and Professor of Biosciences at York St John University. As a Group Leader at the Leeds Institute of Medical Research, he focuses on gene regulation, tumour microenvironment, and nanomedicine approaches to improve cancer outcomes. Specializes in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and rare diseases Develops therapeutic strategies using microRNAs and biomarkers Collaborates with clinicians, engineers, and chemists for translational research His research integrates molecular pathology with clinical data through partnerships with Leeds NHS Trusts, aiming to identify novel biomarkers and targets for therapy. Recent work emphasizes cholesterol metabolism, oxysterol signaling, and nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems. Key contributions include: Over 80 peer-reviewed publications in cancer biology and molecular therapeutics Leadership in MSc programs in Molecular Medicine and Cancer Biology and Therapy Extensive experience in grant review, editorial work, and doctoral supervision Scientific awards include Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. His lab has mentored 26 doctoral students and numerous alumni in academia, clinical practice, and industry.

• Cancer Biology
• Gene Regulation
• Breast Cancer
• +6 more

Dr Amin Ardestani , Senior Lecturer in Metabolic Signaling at the Biomedical Institute for Multimorbidity (BIM), Hull York Medical School (HYMS) , specializes in unraveling molecular mechanisms of pancreatic β-cell failure in diabetes. His research program identifies novel therapeutic targets through signal transduction studies in metabolic disorders. Bachelor's in Biology, Tarbiat Moalem University (2004) Master's in Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (2007) PhD in Biology, University of Bremen (2013) Junior Group Leader at University of Bremen (2014-2023) Research focuses on Hippo and mTOR signaling pathways in β-cell biology, autoimmunity, and regeneration. His work bridges mechanistic biology with drug discovery for diabetes, with significant findings on PHLPP1/2 phosphatases and MST1/2 kinases. Recent publications highlight therapeutic strategies for β-cell protection , including small molecule inhibitors (e.g., MST1/2 inhibitors) and metabolic enzyme modulation (LDHA). Collaborative studies explore SARS-CoV-2 interactions with pancreatic cells and cross-talk between acinar and β-cells in diabetes. 2019 JDRF Advanced Postdoctoral Fellowship 2018 Impulse grant & Career Advancement Award 2017 Early Investigators awards (Endocrine Society, EFSD/Lilly Programme) 2014 Albert Renold Fellowship & Bremer Studienpreis Professional roles include Editorial Board Member at Scientific Reports and Associate Editor at Frontiers in Endocrinology . He reviews grants for DFG, Diabetes UK, and ISF, and evaluates manuscripts for top-tier journals like Cell Metabolism and Nature Communications.

• Metabolic Signaling
• Pancreatic Islet Biology
• Signal Transduction Pathways
• +4 more

Jinhong Meng is a Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Genetics & Genomic Medicine, University College London (UCL), focusing on neuromuscular disorders and gene therapy. He earned his PhD and Bachelor’s degrees from the Fourth Military Medical University. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, Fourth Military Medical University (2000) Bachelor, Fourth Military Medical University (1995) Research Interests: Jinhong Meng’s work centers on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), and gene therapy techniques including CRISPR, lentiviral vectors, and antisense oligonucleotides. His studies explore immune responses to dystrophin, vascular defects in SMA, and dystrophin correction via viral and non-viral delivery systems. Publication Trends: Over the past eight years, Jinhong Meng has published extensively on DMD and SMA, with a focus on gene editing, dystrophin restoration, and cellular therapies. His collaborative work spans lentiviral vectors, foamy virus transduction, and necroptosis mechanisms in muscle degeneration. Labs & Collaborations: He works within UCL’s Genetics & Genomic Medicine Department, collaborating on projects involving dystrophic muscle engraftment, circadian signaling, and RNA editing for genetic mutations.

• Clinical sciences
• Neurosciences
• Medical physiology
• +2 more

Dr. Albert Koulman is a Principal Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Metabolic Research Laboratories (MRL) within the Institute of Metabolic Science. His work focuses on developing advanced analytical methods for metabolomics and lipidomics to understand metabolic processes in diseases. Department: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge Key Roles: Scientific Director of the NIHR BRC Metabolomics and Lipidomics facility Research Interests 1. Metabolism in Pregnancy & Early Life: Collaborates with international teams to study lipid metabolism during pregnancy and infancy, developing biomarkers for gestational diabetes, infant nutrition, and childhood obesity risks. 2. Technological Innovations: Leads development of single-cell lipidomics and organelle-specific lipid profiling, establishing a full pipeline from sample preparation to bioinformatics. 3. Nutritional Biomarker Methodology: Specializes in dried blood spot applications for lipid analysis in clinical and population studies, supported by the MRC Epidemiology Unit. Article Trends Recent publications highlight his expertise in lipid metabolism across diseases (e.g., diabetes, melanoma, NAFLD). Key themes include sexual dimorphism in lipid biosynthesis, vitamin D dynamics during exercise, stromal lipid influences on cancer progression, and malnutrition recovery protocols. Methodological advancements (LC-MS/MS, single-cell analysis) and global health applications (Gambian maternal nutrition, pediatric rehabilitation) are recurring topics. Group Members & Collaborations Dr. Ben Jenkins (Analytical Chemist) Ms. Paulina Guevara Dominguez (Research Assistant) Ms. Nina van der Velde (MPhil Student) Collaborators: Sue Ozanne (Pregnancy Metabolism), MJFF (Parkinson’s research), MRC (Epidemiology Unit) Research Funding Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) JPI (Joint Programming Initiative) Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) Medical Research Council (MRC) National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

• Metabolomics
• Lipidomics
• Analytical Chemistry
• +4 more

Associate Professor Alex Clarke is a Wellcome Trust-funded researcher and Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, affiliated with the University of Oxford. He leads the Clarke Group at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, focusing on the intersection of metabolism and immunity. PhD in Medicine (2013), King’s College London MBBS in Medicine (2001), University College London (UCL) Dr. Clarke's research explores how metabolic pathways regulate immune cell function and disease progression. His work spans autophagy mechanisms, mitochondrial dynamics in B cells, and metabolic dysregulation in autoimmune disorders like lupus. Recent studies investigate germinal center B cell metabolism and glycogen synthase kinase-3's role in Treg development. His recent publications (2025-2024) highlight trends in immunometabolism, autophagy, and genetic testing applications. Awards include prestigious Wellcome Trust Clinical Research fellowships. Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Training Fellowship (2013) Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship (2018) Dr. Clarke's lab investigates metabolic regulation in immune cell differentiation and autoimmune disease pathogenesis.

• Immunology
• Rheumatology
• Metabolism
• +3 more

Dr. Natalie Riddell is a Senior Lecturer in Immunology and Ageing at the School of Biosciences, University of Surrey. She holds roles as Academic Lead for the FACS facility, Member of the University Ethics Committee, and Chair of the Surrey Healthy Ageing Research Partnership (SHARP). Her research focuses on neuroendocrine and age-associated changes in immune function, particularly how adrenergic signaling contributes to immunosenescence and inflammation in aging. Key areas include T cell senescence, metabolic disorders linked to immune decline, and interventions to promote healthy longevity. Education: BSc and PhD in Biosciences from the University of Birmingham, followed by postdoctoral research at University College London (2010-2017). Research interests emphasize the interplay between stress, aging, and immunity. Collaborations include work with Dr. Sian Henson (Queen Mary University) on T cell metabolism and Dr. Anis Larbi (Singapore Immunology Network) on immunosenescence biomarkers. She supervises BSc, MSc, and PhD students, including current advisees Dennis Affram and Chidie Ubachukwu. Teaching includes undergraduate modules like BMS1052: Exploring Biochemistry and BMS3102: Advanced Topics in Molecular and Cellular Immunology. Her 15 most recent articles span immunology, virology, and chronic disease, with notable work on tuberculosis diagnostics and stress-HIV interactions. Labs/Teams: Active leadership in SHARP, a multidisciplinary partnership addressing healthy aging through immunity research.

• Immunology
• Ageing
• Immunosenescence
• +5 more

Dr. Alanna (Leni) Green is a Senior Research Fellow at the School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield. She leads the Cancer and Bone (CAB) Lab, focusing on eradicating chemotherapy-resistant dormant cancer cells in bone. Her academic journey includes a BBiomedSci at Monash University, a PhD at the University of Melbourne, and postdoctoral roles in the Sheffield Myeloma Research Team and Helleday’s lab. Education: BBiomedSci (Hons), Monash University PhD, University of Melbourne Her research explores bone-immune-cancer interactions, particularly how bone microenvironment cells protect tumors from therapy. Key areas include retinoic acid receptor signaling, vitamin A regulation of hematopoiesis, and novel drug development for myeloma and bone-metastatic cancers. Recent publications highlight her work in cancer metabolism (MTHFD2 inhibition), bone repair mechanisms, and microenvironmental regulation of lymphopoiesis. She has received over 20 awards, including Young Investigator Prizes from ECTS and ASBMR. Scientific Awards: Wellcome Trust Career Development Award (2024) Yorkshire Cancer Research Pioneer Advanced Fellowship (2024) Blood Cancer UK Project Grant (2023) Faculty MDH Early Career Researcher Prize (2020) Dr. Green supervises the Cancer and Bone Lab, which includes postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. She lectures on translational oncology and molecular medicine courses and actively contributes to professional societies like the Bone Research Society and ECTS.

• Bone-Immune-Cancer Interactions
• Cancer Dormancy
• Retinoic Acid Receptor Signaling
• +3 more

Alexander Clarke is an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford's Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology within the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, and serves as an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. His educational background includes medical qualification from UCL in 2001, rheumatology training in London, and a PhD on autophagy in lupus completed in 2013 under Tim Vyse at King's College London. He joined Oxford in 2014 as a postdoctoral fellow with Katja Simon at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine before establishing his independent research group in 2018. Clarke's research focuses on the intersection of immunology and metabolism, particularly investigating how metabolic pathways regulate immune cell function in autoimmune diseases. His work primarily examines B cell metabolism, autophagy mechanisms, and their roles in conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus. He leads the Clarke Group dedicated to 'Metabolism and Immunity' research. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a consistent research trajectory centered on immunometabolism, with particular emphasis on germinal center B cells, mitochondrial regulation in lymphocytes, and connections between metabolic pathways and autoimmune pathogenesis. His work bridges fundamental cellular mechanisms with clinical applications in rheumatology. His major scientific recognitions include: Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Training Fellowship Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Career Development Fellowship (2018) Clarke's research program is supported by prestigious Wellcome Trust funding, enabling his group to investigate critical questions at the interface of immunology and metabolism. His work has significant implications for understanding autoimmune disease mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic approaches targeting metabolic pathways in immune cells. The Clarke Group maintains active research programs investigating how metabolic regulation influences immune cell function, with particular focus on B cells in germinal center reactions and their dysregulation in autoimmune conditions.

• Immunology
• Rheumatology
• B Cell Metabolism
• +4 more

Dr. Celine Cano is a research-focused academic at Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences within the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, with a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades in cancer drug discovery and medicinal chemistry. Her work centers on developing targeted therapies, particularly kinase inhibitors and MDM2-p53 interaction antagonists, with significant contributions to understanding molecular mechanisms in oncology. Her research interests encompass cancer drug discovery , medicinal chemistry , and kinase inhibitor development , with specialized expertise in covalent drug design, fragment-based screening, and structural optimization of anticancer agents. Dr. Cano has pioneered work on MDM2-p53 inhibitors, ERK5 modulators, and PROTAC technologies, focusing on enhancing therapeutic indices while minimizing toxicity through precise molecular engineering. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2020-2024) reveals a dominant focus on targeted cancer therapies , particularly small-molecule antagonists of protein-protein interactions (MDM2-p53) and kinase inhibitors (ERK5, Nek2, NIK). Her work demonstrates consistent innovation in covalent drug design , pharmacokinetic optimization , and structural biology approaches to overcome resistance mechanisms. Notable trends include the development of differentiated pharmacokinetic profiles in next-generation MDM2 antagonists and sophisticated linker strategies for PROTACs. Dr. Cano maintains extensive collaborative networks across Newcastle University's cancer research ecosystem, particularly with groups led by Professors Ian Hardcastle, Bernard Golding, and Steve Wedge. Her research has been instrumental in advancing multiple drug candidates through preclinical development, with several publications describing compounds that have progressed to therapeutic evaluation.

• Cancer Drug Discovery
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Kinase Inhibitors
• +4 more

Dr. Sergio Dall'Angelo is a Lecturer and independent Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen's School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition. Holding a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from Universita' Statale di Milano (2008), he established an organic/medicinal chemistry lab at the Institute of Medical Sciences in 2009 and became a Research Fellow in 2019. His research spans PET imaging, peptide synthesis, and synthetic organic chemistry. Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry (Universita' Statale di Milano, 2008) 2012 SINAPSE Postdoctoral and Early Career Researcher Exchange Fund awardee Harvard University research visit (2012-2013) Research focus areas include: Development of novel fluorine-18 PET tracers for hypoxia and drug interactions Peptide/peptidomimetic synthesis for therapeutic applications Radiochemical methodologies and clinical-grade PET tracer preparation Recent publications highlight advancements in PET tracer development, fluorinated drug design, and peptide engineering. Key collaborations include work with Harvard University and SINAPSE network institutions. Scientific affiliations: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI) SINAPSE (Scottish Imaging Network) SULSA Strategic Committee - Diagnostics and Therapeutics

• PET Chemistry
• Peptide Synthesis
• Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• +5 more

J. Ross Chapman is a Professor of Genome Maintenance Biology at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit. He holds fellowships from Cancer Research UK and the Lister Institute, and is part of the EMBO Young Investigator Programme. His research focuses on DNA repair mechanisms, particularly the balance between accurate and mutagenic repair pathways in cancer and immune disorders. Career highlights include roles as a Sir Henry Wellcome Fellow and Principal Investigator. His group studies genetic recombination mechanisms, aiming to develop cancer therapies targeting repair pathway dysfunctions. Key research areas include the role of BRCA1, BARD1, 53BP1, and CST complexes in DNA repair. Awards include CRUK and Lister Institute Fellowships, alongside EMBO recognition. His lab’s work spans genomic stability, immune system development, and cancer therapy strategies. Recent studies explore chronic inflammation in leukemia evolution and synthetic lethality in BRCA-deficient cells.

• Genome Stability
• DNA Repair Mechanisms
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Dr Astrid Hauge Evans is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Roehampton. Her research focuses on diabetes, particularly the regulation of insulin production from pancreatic beta cells and intercellular communication within pancreatic islets. She is actively involved in PhD student supervision and holds external positions as a Visiting Researcher at King's College London. BSc in Biology from University of Copenhagen, Denmark MSc in Biomedical Sciences from King's College London PhD in Physiology from King's College London Her research explores: Mechanisms of beta cell dysfunction in diabetes Intra-islet communication dynamics Neuroendocrine regulation of insulin secretion Gut microbiota interactions in metabolic disease Wholegrain polyphenols' impact on islet function Sex-specific roles of peptides like LEAP2 Recent article trends show expertise in Diabetes type-specific therapies Cross-disciplinary studies combining nutrition and endocrinology Peptide hormone interactions in islet regulation Microbiome-diet-islet function relationships 3D cell culture models for diabetes research Neuroendocrine modulation of metabolic processes Scientific recognition includes Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowship (2010) University of Roehampton Academic Staff Award (2025) Supervision and funding highlights Primary supervisor for multiple PhD projects on diabetes mechanisms Lead PI on grants from Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation, Diabetes UK, Society for Endocrinology Collaborations with institutions across UK, Belgium, and Denmark

• Diabetes
• Pancreatic Islet Biology
• Endocrinology
• +3 more

Dr. Jae Ho Lee is a research scientist at Newcastle University specializing in stem cell biology and cancer research, with significant publications between 2006-2010 primarily in collaboration with Professor Karim Nayernia and colleagues including Dr. Ingrid Ehrmann and Professor David Elliott. His work bridges molecular oncology, reproductive biology, and regenerative medicine through investigation of stem cell mechanisms in germ cell development and tumorigenesis. His core research examines stem cell plasticity in cancer and reproduction, focusing on Piwil2 protein functions in breast cancer stem cell proliferation/antiapoptosis, derivation of germ cells from bone marrow stem cells, and spermatogonial stem cell regulation. Key contributions include demonstrating Piwil2's role in Stat3/Bcl-XL-mediated tumor survival, in vitro production of functional male gametes from embryonic stem cells, and transdifferentiation pathways between somatic and germ cells. Analysis of his 2006-2010 publications reveals consistent exploration of molecular intersections between stem cell self-renewal and oncogenesis, with emphasis on Piwil2 as a regulatory hub. His work demonstrates translational potential for infertility treatments through germ cell derivation techniques and identifies apoptosis pathways as therapeutic targets in breast cancer. No scientific awards were documented in the source materials. While specific student mentorship isn't listed, his collaborative publications with senior researchers indicate active laboratory leadership in stem cell projects. The consistent co-authorship with Professor Nayernia suggests participation in grant-funded research programs focused on germ cell biology and cancer stem cells, though exact funding sources remain unspecified.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Cancer Research
• Reproductive Biology
• +2 more

Claudia Monaco is a Professor of Cardiovascular Inflammation at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford . Her research focuses on the intersection of inflammation and cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. Institution: University of Oxford Department: Cardiovascular Research Academic Rank: Professor Her work investigates molecular mechanisms in atherosclerosis, including roles of interferon regulatory factors , matrix metalloproteinases , and immunotherapy . Recent publications highlight advancements in spatial transcriptomics and aging-related cardiovascular interventions. Collaborative studies explore TGF-β2 activation in diabetic atherosclerosis and inflammatory regulation by B regulatory cells . Her lab employs proteomic profiling to identify disease-specific biomarkers in smooth muscle cells.

• Cardiovascular Inflammation
• Atherosclerosis
• Immunotherapy
• +3 more

Dr. Marianna Cerasuolo is a Reader in Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computation at the University of Sussex's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Her research focuses on mathematical and computational modeling for medical, biological, and environmental applications, including cancer dynamics, soil microbiome analysis, and sustainable agriculture. She has held positions at the University of Portsmouth and Rothamsted Research, and leads projects like the Horizon Europe-funded BIOservicES and the H2020 Diverfarming initiative. Her work integrates statistical, mathematical, and computational methods to address problems in oncology, ecology, and public health. Education: Advanced degrees in applied mathematics and mathematical biology (not explicitly listed). Research Interests: Cancer modeling, epidemiology, plant-environment interactions, bio-statistics, and computational biology. Her grants include the £6M BIOservicES (2023-2028) and a London Mathematical Society grant on microbial dynamics. She teaches courses like Machine Learning and Statistics for Health and Monte Carlo Simulations. Key contributions include developing the SusDiver app for agricultural sustainability and models predicting prostate cancer therapy efficacy.

• Mathematical Biology
• Applied Mathematics
• Cancer Research
• +5 more