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Professor Sir Michael Ferguson is the Regius Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee and an Interim Dean of the School of Life Sciences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE), Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), and Royal Society of Biology (FRSB). Education : BSc in Biochemistry, University of Manchester (1976-1979) PhD in Biochemistry, University of London (1979-1982) His research focuses on the biochemistry of protozoan parasites causing tropical diseases such as human African Sleeping Sickness, Chagas' disease, and leishmaniasis. He emphasizes the Biology/Chemistry interface and translational research, co-founding the Drug Discovery Unit and directing the Dundee Proteomics Facility . His work on glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchors has transformed understanding of eukaryotic biology. Recent publications highlight advancements in antimicrobial resistance , serology standards for SARS-CoV-2 , and mechanochemical drug formulation . He contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals in Health and Life Sciences . Scientific Awards : Royal Society Leeuwenhoek Medal (2025) Biochemical Society Morton Lecture (2024) Knight Bachelor (2019) Colworth Medal (1991) Howard Hughes International Scholar (1993) He serves on the boards of UK Biobank , Medicines Discovery Catapult , and chairs PhaSER Bio . During the pandemic, he advised the UK government on antibody testing and national core studies.

• Biochemistry
• Glycobiology
• Mass Spectrometry
• +7 more

Professor Ian A Graham FRS is the Weston Chair of Biochemical Genetics in the Department of Biology, University of York , and leads the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP). His research focuses on plant metabolic genetics, particularly the biosynthesis of medicinal and industrial compounds in crops such as Artemisia annua (artemisinin), opium poppy (morphine, noscapine), and industrial hemp (fatty acids). His educational background is not detailed in the source text, but his extensive research portfolio and leadership role suggest a PhD and postdoctoral training in plant biochemistry or molecular genetics. Graham’s research centers on plant specialized metabolism , using biochemical genetics to dissect pathways for terpenoids (artemisinin, diterpenoids) and alkaloids (noscapine, morphine). His work has enabled the development of high-yielding Artemisia annua hybrids for robust artemisinin supply and high-oleic hemp varieties. He integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics to discover gene clusters and engineer metabolic pathways. His team also studies seed oil mobilization and lipid metabolism in model systems like Arabidopsis . His recent publications reveal a strong focus on terpenoid biosynthesis , particularly diterpenoids in Euphorbia species, sesquiterpenes in Artemisia , and the evolution of metabolic gene clusters. There is also ongoing work on alkaloid pathways in Papaver , enzyme discovery, and metabolic engineering in heterologous hosts like Nicotiana benthamiana . Scientific Awards: Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) Advising and Grants: Graham leads a research group with numerous publications involving collaborators and postdocs. He has secured major research funding from UKRI BBSRC, Defra, Innovate UK, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Medicines for Malaria Venture, and industrial partners such as Croda and Sun Pharmaceutical. His Prosperity Partnership with Croda and involvement in the Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCx3) highlight strong industry and policy engagement. Labs and Teams: He directs the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP) at the University of York, a research hub focused on sustainable crop improvement using biotechnology. His lab combines molecular genetics, biochemistry, and bioinformatics to advance plant natural product research.

• Plant Biochemistry
• Metabolic Genetics
• Terpenoid Biosynthesis
• +7 more

Dr. Arne Jacobs is a Research Fellow in the Department of Evolution & Diversity at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on evolutionary genomics, with a particular emphasis on understanding adaptive processes in natural populations. Key areas of study include genomic mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation, gene regulation in response to environmental changes, and the interplay between genetic variation and ecological pressures. Research interests: Evolutionary Biology, Genomics, Ecological Genetics, Population Genomics, and Urban Adaptation. Grants include projects on climate change impacts on aquatic species, genomic variation in life-history traits, and stickleback diversity in Lake Constance. Supervises students exploring topics like molecular mechanisms of adaptive divergence and urban landscape effects on animal dispersal. His work bridges experimental and computational approaches, leveraging genomic data to uncover evolutionary dynamics in species such as zebra finches, Atlantic silversides, and Arctic charr. Recent studies highlight the role of alternative splicing and transcriptomic changes in adaptation, alongside structural genomic variation driving ecological resilience.

• Evolutionary Biology
• Genomics
• Ecology
• +3 more

Dr. Daniel Jeffares is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of York. His research focuses on Leishmania genomics, population genetics, and quantitative genetics, with an emphasis on understanding evolutionary processes and molecular biology in parasitic organisms. His work contributes to global health initiatives, including collaborations through the UK-Brazil Joint Centre Partnership in Leishmaniasis (JCPiLeish) and the PREV_PKDL project analyzing visceral leishmaniasis in East Africa. He leads the Jeffares Lab, which utilizes advanced genomic techniques to study parasite evolution and pathogenesis. Research Interests: Leishmania population genomics and drug resistance Genomic analysis of co-infections and pathogen diversity Evolutionary adaptations in trypanosomatids and extremophiles Applications of genomic methods in disease research Awards : Recipient of the Visiting Professorship (2022), recognizing his contributions to collaborative research and capacity-building in genomic methodologies. Grants & Collaborations: Principal Investigator on projects funded by MRC, Wellcome Trust, and NERC Leadership in multidisciplinary initiatives addressing visceral leishmaniasis in Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya Active partnerships with institutions in Brazil and global health networks Labs/Teams: The Jeffares Lab at the University of York, part of the Biology Department’s research cluster focusing on microbial genomics and evolutionary processes.

• Leishmania Genomics
• Population Genetics
• Quantitative Genetics
• +3 more

Nicola Baker is a Research Fellow at the University of York with a focus on Parasitology and Cell Signaling . Her work investigates how Leishmania parasites sense pH and temperature changes using protein kinase pathways, contributing to understanding their survival mechanisms and drug resistance. University: University of York Department: Biology Email: nicola.baker@york.ac.uk Her research spans parasitic adaptation, molecular signaling, and antiparasitic drug development. Key themes include: Mechanisms of environmental sensing in kinetoplastids Role of protein kinases in pathogen survival Drug resistance in Leishmania and Trypanosoma Chemogenomic profiling of antiparasitic agents She has received the Wellcome Career Development Award , supporting her work on parasitic signaling pathways and drug discovery.

• Parasitology
• Cell Signaling
• Protein Kinases
• +3 more

Professor Paul Denny is a Professor in the Department of Biosciences and the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. He is also a Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing. His research focuses on protozoan parasites, particularly Leishmania , aiming to understand lipid biosynthesis and membrane trafficking in host-parasite interactions to identify therapeutic targets. He has held significant roles, including being the MRC Global Network for NTDs Lead and has received notable awards such as the Royal Society of Biology Fellowship. His research interests span Cell Biology, Lipid Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Parasitology. Central to his work is the study of sphingolipid biosynthesis pathways in parasites like Leishmania and Toxoplasma gondii , aiming to discover novel drug targets and therapies for neglected tropical diseases. His lab investigates antileishmanial compounds, drug delivery mechanisms, and the molecular basis of parasitic resistance to existing treatments. Key scientific achievements include the MRC Outstanding Team Impact Prize (2024) for leading a global network addressing Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease, and the COMSTECH Distinguished Scholar award (2025). He has organized numerous workshops and training programs in countries like Kenya, Brazil, and Pakistan, focusing on drug discovery and capacity building in endemic regions. Professor Denny supervises multiple PhD students, including Amy Wiseman, Davide Cazzola, and others, and has secured grants supporting collaborative research across continents. His lab collaborates with institutions globally, emphasizing equitable partnerships in scientific research. Notable contributions include developing nanoparticle drug delivery systems and identifying clemastine fumarate analogues as effective antileishmanials. He is actively involved in public engagement, such as the Pint of Science event on 'flesh-eating parasites,' and serves on editorial boards including Parasitology and Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology . His recent work highlights the role of sphingolipid metabolism in parasite survival and the application of advanced sequencing technologies for rapid pathogen genotyping.

• Protozoan Parasitology
• Sphingolipid Biosynthesis
• Antileishmanial Drug Discovery
• +3 more

Professor Keith Sanderson Wilson is a structural biologist at the University of York, holding a Chair in Chemistry. He leads the York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL), specializing in protein crystallography and structural enzymology. His research focuses on enzyme structure-function relationships, methods development (e.g., map interpretation), industrial enzyme applications, and iron uptake mechanisms. Collaborations include Novozymes A/S and the Bijvoet Centre (Utrecht). Education: DPhil (Oxford), postdoctoral work at the Max Planck Institute, and leadership roles at EMBL Hamburg. Research interests include carbohydrate chemistry, enzyme engineering, and structural biology tools like CCP4 software. Recent work highlights artificial metalloenzymes, dispersin scaffolds, and glycosidase structures. Over 400 publications and 42 funded projects demonstrate his impact. He serves on the Diamond Light Source advisory board and contributes to interdisciplinary datasets and supervisory roles.

• Structural Biology
• Protein Crystallography
• Enzymology
• +3 more

Professor Gordon Hamilton is a Professor of Medical Entomology and Vector Control at Lancaster University's Faculty of Health and Medicine. He is affiliated with the Biomedical And Life Sciences department. His research focuses on vector-borne diseases, particularly leishmaniasis transmitted by sand flies, and involves genomic analysis of disease vectors, climate impact studies, and development of vector control strategies. Projects include Horizon Europe's CLIMOS framework for sand fly disease monitoring and field trials of synthetic pheromones to reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission. His expertise spans medical entomology, vector biology, and tropical medicine with a focus on genomic approaches to understand vector-pathogen interactions. He currently leads research groups in Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity, and collaborates on projects involving climate policy measures for disease mitigation.

• Medical Entomology
• Vector Control
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• +3 more

Dr. Waleed Al Salem is an Honorary Researcher at Lancaster University's Faculty of Health and Medicine (FHM), affiliated with the Biomedical And Life Sciences department. His research focuses on genomic and molecular studies of parasitic organisms, particularly Leishmania species. He contributed to a 2023 study publishing the chromosome-scale genome assembly of Leishmania (Mundinia) procaviensis, advancing understanding of parasitic genomics. Research interests include genomic characterization of pathogens, microbial genetics, and infectious disease mechanisms. His work bridges molecular biology and parasitology to address biomedical challenges. No advising or grant details are provided in the text. Currently active with no indication of former or part-time status.

• Genomics
• Parasitic Diseases
• Molecular Biology
• +3 more

Karen McLuskey is a Research Associate in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences. Her work focuses on structural biology and enzymology within parasitic organisms. 2010-2014: Wellcome Trust Grant for structural and activity studies of trypanosomatid metacaspases Research Interests: McLuskey's research spans structural biology, parasitology, and cysteine peptidase studies, particularly in trypanosomatid pathogens like Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Her publications demonstrate expertise in protein crystallography, enzymatic activity analysis, and membrane protein purification techniques. Publication Trends: Recent work (2024) examines TORC1 as a nutrient-regulated regulator in Leishmania, while earlier studies focus on metacaspase structures, cysteine peptidases, and high-throughput methodologies for protein analysis. Themes include parasite biology, structural enzymology, and microbiome interactions. Scientific Contributions: Crystal structure determination of key parasitic enzymes Development of high-throughput protein purification protocols Metabolite activity ranking algorithms Labs & Collaborations: McLuskey collaborates closely with Jeremy Mottram's research group, focusing on parasitic disease mechanisms and structural characterization of virulence factors.

• Structural Biology
• Parasitology
• Cysteine Peptidases
• +3 more

Susan Wyllie is a Professor (Teaching and Research) of Biochemical Pharmacology at the University of Dundee's Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery department. Her research focuses on drug discovery targeting parasitic diseases such as Leishmaniasis and Trypanosomiasis. She has contributed to over 96 research outputs and leads multiple projects funded by organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her expertise spans parasitology, antimicrobial agents, and molecular mechanisms of drug resistance. Recent work includes developing novel antiparasitic compounds and profiling resistance mutations in pathogens like Plasmodium and Leishmania. Wyllie has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the C.A. Wright Memorial Medal (2023) and the DNDi Project of the Year 2023. Her research interests emphasize drug target validation, mode of action studies, and collaborative projects to combat neglected tropical diseases. She actively engages in academic outreach and supervises research projects, contributing to both teaching and cutting-edge biomedical research.

• Drug Discovery
• Parasitology
• Leishmaniasis
• +3 more

Professor Andrzej Marek Brzozowski is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of York, specializing in structural endocrinology and medicinal chemistry. His research focuses on understanding molecular mechanisms of hormonal signaling (insulin and IGF systems) and structural biology approaches for neglected diseases (e.g., Leishmania and Chlamydia). Education: PhD from University of Łódź, Poland (1980) Postdoctoral research at Max-Planck-Institut für Experimentelle Medizin (Göttingen) and University of York Research Interests: His work integrates structural biology, protein engineering, and drug discovery. Key areas include: Insulin:IR/IGF-1R complex structures Design of insulin analogues for oral delivery Structural studies of proteins in neglected diseases (Leishmania N-myristoyltransferase, Chlamydia adhesins) Protein crystallization methodologies (Clear Strategy screens, YSBL microplates) Grants & Collaborations: Funded by MRC for insulin/IGF pathway studies Collaborations with institutes in Czech Republic, Ireland, Australia Projects on drug development for leishmaniasis and chlamydial infections Labs/Teams: Leads structural biology research at York Structural Biology Laboratory (YSBL), advancing crystallography and drug discovery tools.

• Structural Biology
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Hormonal Signaling
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Professor Mick Urbaniak is a Professor in the Biomedical and Life Sciences Department at Lancaster University, affiliated with the Data Science Institute. His research focuses on tropical infectious diseases, particularly trypanosomatid parasites including Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania species. His research interests include: Molecular mechanisms of parasite-host interactions Cell cycle regulation in trypanosomatids Iron sensing and response mechanisms in parasites Heat shock signaling in Trypanosoma species Translating basic research into early-stage drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases Professor Urbaniak's laboratory employs a combination of genetics, cell biology, and proteomics approaches. They have pioneered stable isotopic labelling (SILAC) in T. brucei for global quantitative proteomic analysis and developed methods for quantifying phosphorylation changes in cells. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on molecular detection methods for parasites, genome analysis of Leishmania, and understanding cell cycle regulation in trypanosomatids. The research spans from basic molecular mechanisms to potential therapeutic applications. Professor Urbaniak has received several professional recognitions: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology Senior Fellow of Advance HE Member of the Royal Society of Biology Royal Society of Biology Ambassador He actively supervises PhD and MRes students, offering projects on parasite sensing mechanisms, cell division cycle regulation, and behavioral changes related to infection. Professor Urbaniak serves as an external examiner for PhD and master's programs and reviews grants for organizations including Wellcome Trust, BBSRC, and MRC. He also engages in outreach activities as a registered STEM ambassador.

• Tropical Infectious Diseases
• Parasitology
• Trypanosomatid Biology
• +7 more

Dr. Divya Venkatesh is a BBSRC Discovery Fellow at the University of Oxford, based at the Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research. Her research focuses on understanding viral and host determinants of species specificity and susceptibility in infectious diseases, particularly influenza A virus. She investigates how avian influenza adapts to mammals, using the avian-seal interface as a natural experiment to study pathogenicity differences between grey and harbour seals. This work aims to predict and mitigate wildlife disease outbreaks and future pandemics. Her research interests include zoonotic diseases, viral evolution, and host-pathogen interactions, with a focus on influenza A virus dynamics in wild birds, livestock, and marine mammals. Venkatesh’s recent studies emphasize antigenic characterization, pandemic risk assessment, and genetic reassortment patterns in avian and swine influenza viruses. Awards: BBSRC Discovery Fellowship Key Themes: Avian influenza spillover, pathogen adaptation in mammals, and One Health approaches. Her publications highlight contributions to understanding influenza’s zoonotic potential, viral evolution in diverse hosts, and molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in kinetoplastid parasites.

• Influenza Virus Research
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Viral Evolution
• +4 more

Dr. Michael Plevin is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biophysics and Royal Society Industry Fellow at the University of York's Department of Biology. His research focuses on biomolecular recognition mechanisms, protein engineering for industrial applications, and liquid-liquid phase separation. He employs structural biology tools like X-ray crystallography, cryoEM, and NMR spectroscopy. Current collaborations include Eluceda Ltd, Syngenta, and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Dr. Plevin also explores aromatic interactions in proteins and promotes positive research culture through initiatives like the Enhancing Research Culture working group. His teaching emphasizes biophysical techniques and protein engineering, including modules on biomacromolecule structure determination. He supervises PhD students in protein engineering, molecular recognition, and sequence-structure-function relationships. Dr. Plevin has held grants from UKRI, The Royal Society, and industry partners. His work bridges academic and industrial challenges, with projects on non-antibody scaffolds, DNA helicases, and nanopores. Key research themes include phase separation dynamics in cellular organization, weak transient interactions, and Rubisco's role in algal photosynthesis. He collaborates with experts in algal biology and single-molecule biophysics. His contributions to isotopic labeling methods for NMR have advanced structural studies of large proteins.

• Biomolecular Recognition
• Protein Engineering
• Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
• +3 more