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Karen Piper Hanley is Professor of Molecular Medicine and Head of Division in the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Gastroenterology at the University of Manchester. She serves as the fibrosis lead in the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research and previously served as Director of Core Research Technologies (2019-2022). She is also an editorial board member for Scientific Reports. Her research focuses on fibrosis (scarring) mechanisms across multiple organs, particularly liver, kidney, and lung fibrosis. Her lab investigates the cellular and molecular basis of fibrotic disease, with emphasis on how pathological scar components are produced and how they signal to surrounding cells. Key areas include the role of SOX9 transcription factor, integrin beta-1 signaling, Group 1 PAKs, and YAP1 in fibrosis progression. Her recent publications reveal trends toward increased clinical translation of fibrosis research, with studies on health inequalities in liver cancer care, post-COVID diabetes incidence, and innovative approaches to liver disease detection. Her work increasingly integrates spatial transcriptomics and advanced omics technologies to understand cellular transitions in liver disease. Career-track postdoctoral fellowship from the University of Southampton (2006) As senior postgraduate tutor, she has mentored numerous PhD students who have presented at key conferences and authored high-quality manuscripts. All her PhD students have submitted and been awarded their degrees within 4 years. She has successfully guided previous Academic Clinical Fellows to win MRC clinical training fellowships. Her teaching extends to undergraduate Personal & Professional Development and supervision of MRes and BSc students, many of whom have achieved first-class degrees and prestigious awards. Her lab maintains active collaborations with Professor Neil Hanley's group on human development, stem cells, and regenerative medicine, bridging developmental biology with fibrosis research to understand why regeneration is impaired in chronic diseases.

• Fibrosis Research
• Liver Fibrosis
• Kidney Fibrosis
• +9 more

Professor Mark Coles serves as Professor of Immunology and Lead for Industrial Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, holding concurrent roles as Kennedy Trust Senior Research Fellow, Official Fellow at Reuben College, and Affiliate Faculty at the Wolfson Centre of Mathematical Biology. His interdisciplinary work bridges immunology, computational modeling, and translational research to accelerate therapies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. His academic journey began with a BSc in Microbiology from Cornell University (1992), followed by a PhD in Molecular and Cell Biology at UC Berkeley under David Raulet, and postdoctoral training with Dimitris Kioussis at the National Institute of Medical Research. At the University of York (2006-2017), he pioneered stromal immunology research and co-founded the York Computational Immunology Laboratory. Coles' research centers on stromal and systems immunology, with core expertise in stromal cell biology, inflammatory disease mechanisms, and mathematical modeling of immune responses. He champions 3Rs-based approaches (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) to reduce animal testing through in silico models, integrating spatial single-cell biology with multi-scale computational frameworks to dissect immune function in human tissues. His 2025 publications reveal a cohesive research trajectory applying interdisciplinary methods across diverse disease contexts—from cardiac fibrosis and vaccine responses to arthritis pathogenesis and CAR-T cell therapy—unified by focus on stromal-immune crosstalk and quantitative modeling to identify therapeutic targets. Key honors include: Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology Kennedy Trust Senior Research Fellow As former Director of Graduate Studies (2017-2024) at the Kennedy Institute, Coles mentored numerous graduate students while co-leading major initiatives including the Arthritis Therapy Acceleration Program and Human Cell Atlas medicalization. His entrepreneurial impact spans three co-founded ventures: Simomics Ltd (in silico disease modeling), Lightox Ltd (phototherapy for oral cancer), and Mestag Therapeutics (fibroblast-targeted therapies for cancer/inflammation). He directs the Laboratory of Stromal and Systems Immunology and Oxford Mathematical Immunology Group, fostering collaborations with Christopher Buckley, Calliope Dendrou, and Eamonn Gaffney to develop Quantitative Systems Pharmacology models that translate mechanistic insights into patient therapies.

• Immunology
• Translational Immunology
• Computational Immunology
• +4 more

Calliope Dendrou is an Associate Professor in Clinical Pathology and Inflammation at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (KIR), University of Oxford, leading the Immune Disease Multiomics Laboratory. She previously held a Wellcome & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship at the University of Oxford’s Centre for Human Genetics before joining KIR in 2023. Her research focuses on immune disease mechanisms using multiomics approaches, including genomic profiling to identify therapeutic targets across tissues and immune-mediated diseases. She co-leads large-scale projects like the Oxford-J&J Cartography Consortium and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s LEGACY Network, and teaches on the MSc in Genomic Medicine program. Educational Background: BSc (Biology, Imperial College London, 2005; Forbes Memorial Medal Winner); PhD in Infection & Immunity (University of Cambridge, 2010). Postdoctoral training at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine under Prof. Lars Fugger. Research interests include immunogenetics, cytokine signaling pathways, drug repositioning, and cross-disease pathophysiology. Her work integrates single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to dissect immune-cell interactions in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and celiac disease. Recent articles highlight her contributions to understanding vaccine adjuvant responses, Th17 cell roles in spondyloarthritis, and immune-epithelial networks in celiac disease. Collaborations emphasize multi-omic data analysis (e.g., Panpipes pipeline) and translational studies toward precision medicine. Awards: Forbes Memorial Medal (BSc), Wellcome & Royal Society Sir Henry Dale Fellowship. Leadership roles include Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion and 'Single-Cell & Spatial Omics for Precision Medicine' Module Lead. Lab & Teams: Immune Disease Multiomics Lab at KIR. Active in collaborative initiatives such as the LEGACY Network, focusing on large-scale immune profiling in ancestrally diverse populations.

• Immunology
• Genomics
• Multiomics Analysis
• +3 more

Julia Lawton is Professor of Health & Social Science at the Usher Institute , University of Edinburgh, where she leads the Edinburgh Qualitative Health Research Group (EQual) . Her work focuses on improving healthcare delivery through qualitative research, particularly in chronic condition self-management and health inequalities. Education: PhD and BA in Social Anthropology from University of Cambridge Research Themes: Diabetes self-management, health technology adoption, inequities in healthcare access, process evaluations of complex interventions Key Projects: UNBIASED (diabetes technology disparities), REDUCE (diabetic foot ulcers), CL4P-CF (cystic fibrosis-related diabetes), AiDAPT (pregnancy diabetes management) Her recent publications highlight innovations in diabetes care, including closed-loop systems, structured education, and addressing disparities in technology access for underserved populations. She collaborates extensively with NHS entities and international institutions.

• Qualitative Health Research
• Diabetes Self-Management
• Health Inequalities
• +4 more

Jethro Johnson is an Innovation Track Principal Investigator at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies (OCMS) at the University of Oxford. His work integrates computational genomics and microbiome research to explore host-microbiome interactions in health and disease. PhD in Nutritional Ecology (University of Auckland, 2012) MRC Career Development Fellowship Former postdoctoral researcher at Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine Research focuses on: Mechanistic understanding of gut microbiome impacts on metabolic diseases Multi-omic data integration for host-microbiome studies Computational approaches to microbiome analysis Methodological developments in 16S rRNA gene profiling Publications emphasize microbiome-disease associations, methodological innovations, and computational genomics applications across human and mouse models. Key themes include metabolic dysfunction, immune interactions, and microbial diversity analysis. Scientific recognition includes: MRC Career Development Fellowship in Computational Genomics As OCMS Deputy Director, he contributes to advancing microbiome research infrastructure and collaborative projects while leading his own computational genomics group at the Kennedy Institute.

• Microbiome Studies
• Computational Genomics
• Host-Microbiome Interactions
• +3 more

Christopher Buckley is the Kennedy Professor of Translational Rheumatology and Director of Clinical Research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford. He holds concurrent roles as Director of NIHR Infrastructure for Birmingham Health Partners. His research focuses on fibroblast biology in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), stromal cell interactions, and translational medicine approaches to stratified therapy. He leads the Arthritis Therapy Acceleration Programme (A-TAP), advancing precision medicine strategies for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Educations: BSc Biochemistry, University of Oxford (1985) MBBS Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London (1990) DPhil in Molecular Medicine (Wellcome Trust Fellowship) under Prof. John Bell (Oxford) Research Interests: Pathogenic fibroblast subpopulations in RA and systemic sclerosis Tissue-resident memory T cells in chronic inflammation Spatial transcriptomics of synovial and tendon tissues Pro-resolving fibroblast networks during inflammation resolution Development of biomarkers for disease flare/remission Awards & Leadership: MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship (2001) Arthritis Research UK Professorship (2002) Director, Birmingham NIHR Clinical Research Facility (2012-2017) Key Projects: Leading A-TAP's stratified pathology approach for drug development Investigating Wnt signaling in stromal inflammation Developing cellular atlases of joints using spatial transcriptomics

• Rheumatology
• Inflammatory Diseases
• Fibroblast Biology
• +3 more

Professor David Alldred is a Professor of Medicines Use and Safety at the University of Leeds' School of Healthcare, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. His expertise spans medicines optimisation, patient safety, deprescribing, and care home medication management. He leads key research initiatives such as the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Patient Safety Research Collaboration's 'Decluttering Safely for Safety' theme and co-leads the School of Healthcare's Quality and Safety research theme. Education: PhD (clinical research on care home medication review), MSc in Clinical Pharmacy, PGCert in Learning and Teaching, and BPharm (Hons). Professional memberships include Fellowships of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Higher Education Academy. Research focuses on improving medication use for older adults in care homes and underserved populations, employing systematic reviews, qualitative studies, and RCTs. Notable projects include the CHUMS study (Department of Health-funded medication error analysis in care homes) and leadership roles in NIHR Programme Grants like CHIPPS and CHARMER. He collaborates with NHS England to implement medicines optimisation programs and co-designed multilingual medication review resources to reduce health inequalities. Awards include the Pharmacy Practice UK Research Award (2015) and NIHR Senior Investigator status (2025). His work emphasizes translating evidence into clinical practice, with over 150 publications and supervising NIHR-funded doctoral students in critical care, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and geriatrics. Led the Care Homes' Use of Medicines Study (CHUMS), contributed to NICE guidelines for care home medicines management, and developed interventions like the Medicines at Transitions Intervention (MaTI) for heart failure patients. His research themes address polypharmacy reduction, medication safety across care transitions, and pharmacist-led deprescribing strategies.

• Medicines Optimisation
• Patient Safety
• Deprescribing
• +5 more

Dr. Ian Wilson is a researcher at Newcastle University with a focus on medical genetics, nephrology, and genomic analysis. His work spans genetic determinants of kidney diseases, mitochondrial disorders, and biomarker development. Notable contributions include studies on uromodulin genetics in African populations, copy-number variations in rare diseases, and kidney ciliopathies. He has collaborated extensively on projects involving genome sequencing, mitochondrial replacement therapy, and muscular dystrophy biomarkers. Wilson's research integrates computational tools like machine learning for predictive modeling in urolithiasis and employs advanced imaging techniques for disease progression monitoring. Key areas: Genetic epidemiology, renal genomics, mitochondrial DNA analysis Focus on translational applications: Biomarker development for kidney stones and muscular dystrophies Interdisciplinary collaborations in ophthalmology and orthopedics His publications reflect a commitment to advancing diagnostic accuracy and understanding complex genetic disorders through multi-omics approaches.

• Medical Genetics
• Nephrology
• Genomics
• +3 more

Professor Maryse Bailly is a Professor of Cell Biology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, where she has been employed since December 2000, progressing from Lecturer to Reader/Associate Professor and finally to Professor in October 2020. Her research focuses on understanding fibroblast behavior in the context of ocular diseases, scarring, and fibrosis, with particular emphasis on cytoskeletal dynamics and mechanotransduction pathways. Education: Doctor of Philosophy, Universite Claude Bernard (Lyon 1), 1992 Diplome Universitaire de Technologie, Universite Claude Bernard (Lyon 1), 1983 Professor Bailly's research program investigates how fibroblasts sense and respond to mechanical and chemical stimuli in their environment, with applications to multiple ocular pathologies including trachoma, thyroid eye disease, glaucoma scarring, and myopia. Her laboratory has developed innovative in vitro and ex vivo models that allow the study of tissue contraction mechanisms within pseudo-physiological 3D environments, leading to the identification of novel therapeutic targets such as the Rac1 small GTPase and the MRTF/SRF pathway. She has established significant collaborations with clinicians at Moorfields Eye Hospital, particularly with Dr. Annegret Dahlmann-Noor on pediatric eye growth and myopia research. Analysis of Professor Bailly's publication record reveals a consistent focus on fibroblast mechanobiology with increasing emphasis on pediatric ocular development in recent years. Her work bridges fundamental cell biology with translational applications, particularly in understanding the biomechanical properties of fibroblasts in myopia development and post-surgical scarring. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between ophthalmology, cell biology, and tissue engineering. Teaching: CELL0016 - Actin cytoskeleton and Intermediate Filaments CELL0017 - Fibrosis and mechanotransduction CELL0009 - Models organisms and techniques MECH0031 MSc Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering - Modeling tissue contraction and fibrosis

• Cell Biology
• Ophthalmology
• Fibrosis
• +5 more

Dr. Jason Webber is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Swansea University Medical School. He holds an honorary position as a Research Fellow at Cardiff University and is a board member of the UK Society for Extracellular Vesicles. His research focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly their role in cancer progression and as biomarkers for aggressive tumors like prostate cancer. He completed his PhD at Cardiff University's Institute of Nephrology in 2009 and received a Prostate Cancer UK Career Development Fellowship (2014–2020). Dr. Webber's expertise includes EV biology, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and translational research. He actively contributes to teaching modules such as 'Genetics of Cancer' and 'Advanced Research Topics in Biomedical Science'. His work spans collaborations with institutions like Erasmus MC and the CIC bioGUNE in Spain. Key grants include funding for projects like 'Extracellular Vesicle Glycoproteins for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis (EVGlyProD)' and investigations into EV roles in bone metastasis and rare diseases like tuberous sclerosis complex. His research highlights EVs' dual role as functional mediators of tumor growth and potential biomarkers. Notable achievements include demonstrating EV-HSPG's role in stromal activation and developing methodologies for EV-based diagnostics. Dr. Webber supervises multiple PhD and MSc students, emphasizing mentorship in EV research and cancer biology.

• Extracellular Vesicles (EVs)
• Tumour Microenvironment
• Prostate Cancer
• +6 more

Steff Lewis is a Professor of Medical Statistics at the University of Edinburgh , affiliated with the Usher Institute within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine . She leads the statistics group at the Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit and holds roles in the Deanery of Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences . Her expertise spans meta-analysis, randomized trial design, and clinical trial governance, with involvement in Cochrane Collaboration and UK Clinical Research Collaboration initiatives. Education: MSc and PhD in Medical Statistics. Research Interests: Focuses on methodological advancements in clinical trial reporting (e.g., CONSORT and SPIRIT guidelines), cardiovascular outcomes (e.g., SCOT-HEART trial), stroke prevention (ASPIRING trial), and ethical data management. She actively contributes to international standards for trial protocols, anonymization practices, and statistical validation. Recent Contributions: Over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 37 ongoing projects, including leadership in trials assessing antiplatelet therapies, Paget’s disease interventions, and pediatric asthma treatments. Collaborates globally on guidelines for randomized trials and data-sharing protocols. Grants & Teams: Principal or co-investigator on projects funded by NIHR, BHF, and ESRC, including trials on iron therapy in critical care (INTACT-2) and cannabinoid treatments for endometriosis pain (ENDO-CAN). Leads multidisciplinary teams integrating statistical rigor with clinical innovation. Labs/Teams: Embedded within the Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit and the Centre for Population Health Sciences , fostering collaborative research across molecular, genetic, and public health domains.

• Medical Statistics
• Clinical Trials
• Epidemiology
• +3 more

Vicente Grau Colomer is a Professor of Engineering Science and Biomedical Image Analysis at the University of Oxford, affiliated with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering. He serves as Director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Healthcare Innovation and a Professorial Fellow at Mansfield College. His work bridges biomedical engineering, medical imaging, and artificial intelligence. Education: PhD in medical image analysis from Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain. Postdoctoral research at Harvard University and LSU Health Sciences Center. Joined Oxford in 2004, awarded full professorship in 2015. Research focuses on medical image analysis, AI-driven diagnostics, and collaborations between academia, industry, and clinicians. Notable tools include the MSP-tracker software for cellular analysis and advancements in bone marrow fibrosis quantification. Recent articles highlight interdisciplinary efforts in AI applications, MPN pathophysiology, and biomedical software development. Awards include recognition as a Professor at Oxford. Advising: Leads the Healthcare Innovation CDT and mentors students in biomedical engineering. Active in Oxford’s e-Research Centre and Systems Approaches to Biomedical Sciences CDT. Collaborates globally to translate research into clinical solutions.

• Biomedical Image Analysis
• Medical Image Analysis
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
• +5 more

Gareth Hall is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Aberystwyth University's Department of Psychology, where he has been an established member since the department's founding in 2007. He holds a PhD from Glamorgan University and is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). His academic career includes significant administrative roles such as Examinations Officer (2007-2014, 2016), Senior Tutor (2014), and Acting Director of Admissions and Recruitment (2009, 2011). Dr. Hall's research focuses on social psychology with particular expertise in social identity theory applied to real-world contexts. His work spans sport psychology, examining sport for development programs, intergroup behavior in fandom, and well-being in physical culture communities like CrossFit. He has pioneered research testing laboratory theories in real-world settings, challenging traditional experimental paradigms through creative methodologies that incorporate digital technologies and interdisciplinary approaches. His publication record shows consistent output since 2006, with significant contributions in 2019-2023 focusing on sport psychology applications in Brazil, forensic psychology, and educational technology. His work demonstrates a clear trajectory toward interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in sport for development contexts and the application of social identity theory to complex social issues. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Teaching and Learning Improvement Award from Aberystwyth University (2011) Active editorial roles including for Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (2021) and Bulletin of Latin American Research (2019) Dr. Hall has secured research funding from prestigious organizations including the Economic and Social Research Council (2018) and British Council (2015). His external engagements include committee membership with the British Psychological Society's Undergraduate Education Committee (2015-present), AQU Catalunya (2022-2023), and visiting researcher positions at the University of Padua (2017-2018). His work contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to social development and inclusion.

• Social Psychology
• Social Identity Theory
• Sport Psychology
• +3 more

Professor Craig Williams is a renowned academic at the University of Exeter’s School of Public Health and Sport Sciences. He serves as Director of the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre (CHERC) and lectures on physiological aspects of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. His work bridges clinical and applied settings, focusing on pediatric populations. BEd (Hons) from University of Exeter (1987) MSc from University of Alberta (1992) PhD from University of Exeter (1995) Williams specializes in paediatric exercise physiology, investigating physiological responses to high-intensity exercise and fatigue in children (6-18 years). His research integrates clinical applications for cystic fibrosis and congenital heart disease, alongside youth sports performance. He emphasizes exercise tolerance, fatigue mechanisms, and their relationship to growth, maturation, and sex differences. He has been recognized as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2006. His professional roles include Honorary Research Fellow at RD&E Hospital Trust since 2006 and leadership in CHERC. Williams contributes to sustainable development goals such as Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3) and Quality Education (SDG 4).

• Paediatric Exercise Physiology
• Clinical Pediatrics
• Sports Science
• +3 more

Dominic Furniss serves as Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), concurrently holding an Honorary Consultant Plastic Surgeon position. His clinical expertise centers on hand surgery and supermicrosurgery for lymphoedema treatment. His educational background includes undergraduate medical studies at Trinity College, Cambridge (Junior and Senior Scholar, first-class degree in genetic pathology) followed by clinical training at Oxford University Clinical School. He completed basic surgical training in London before returning to Oxford's Plastic Surgery Department in 2003. Professor Furniss leads pioneering research into genetic and non-genetic causes of hand conditions through multiple initiatives including the Furniss Group, Centre for OA Pathogenesis, and Hand Research Group. His work spans molecular genetics of Dupuytren's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome epidemiology, and kidney stone disease mechanisms. Recent investigations extend to AI applications in health data through the PHAIR study and causal inference methods in genetic epidemiology. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a strategic shift toward large-scale epidemiological studies of hand injuries, interdisciplinary genetic research, and AI integration in surgical practice. These works bridge orthopaedics, genetics, and medical informatics with significant real-world clinical implications. His major scientific recognitions include: Pushpa Chopra Award Plenary Prize of the MRS Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship (first awarded to a plastic surgeon) Professor Furniss has secured substantial research funding including the NIHR Clinical Lectureship (2007) and Wellcome Trust Fellowship (2012). He directs multiple research streams: RAMBOH-1 studies, Molecular Genetics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome project, and HAWAII initiative. His team actively investigates public perceptions of health data sharing for AI through the PHAIR study while advancing supermicrosurgical techniques for lymphoedema. He maintains active leadership in the Athena SWAN gender equality initiative as a Self-assessment team member, demonstrating commitment to inclusive academic culture.

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Genetics of Musculoskeletal Disorders
• +3 more