Ejung Moon is a Group Leader in Radiation Biology and the Tumour Microenvironment at the Department of Oncology, University of Oxford's Medical Sciences Division. Her research focuses on hypoxia-driven tumor progression and radiation response mechanisms. Education: PhD in Pharmacology and Cancer Biology from Duke University Training: Postdoctoral work with Amato Giaccia at Stanford University Research Interests: Elucidating how hypoxia-induced MAFF protein regulates tumor cell invasion, metastasis, and radiation resistance through antioxidant response pathways. Current work explores MAFF dimerization dynamics and metabolic reprogramming in hypoxic tumors. Scientific Contributions: Identified MAFF's role in radiation-induced antioxidant gene regulation (2021, Nature Communications ). Recent studies investigate iron metabolism's impact on FLASH radiotherapy effects. Scientific Awards: Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) predoctoral fellowship Laboratory & Collaborations: Moon Lab collaborates with Oxford Cancer and NHS Cancer and Haematology Centre. Key partnerships include Stanford University's radiobiology research groups.
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.
Professor Jim Haseloff is a faculty member at the University of Cambridge, serving as Head of the Synthetic Biology for Engineering Plant Growth Group within the Department of Plant Sciences, School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on applying engineering principles to construct new genetic systems in plants, with particular emphasis on using Marchantia polymorpha as a model system for understanding and engineering plant growth and development. Professor Haseloff's research interests span synthetic biology, genetic circuit design, plant transformation technologies, and the development of low-cost tools for biological research. His laboratory develops novel DNA tools and imaging techniques for visualizing, manipulating, and modeling genetic interactions and morphogenesis in plants. His work bridges the gap between fundamental plant biology and applied engineering approaches to reprogram plant development and physiology. The lab has established Marchantia polymorpha as a simplified model system with a streamlined genome, haploid genetics, and an open form of development ideal for quantitative analysis. Analysis of Professor Haseloff's recent publications reveals a strong focus on advancing the Marchantia model system for synthetic biology applications. His work spans genetic tool development, chloroplast engineering, plant sensing technologies, and fundamental developmental processes. Notably, his research increasingly integrates low-cost sensing technologies with traditional plant biology, reflecting his commitment to making synthetic biology more accessible worldwide. Professor Haseloff is actively involved in several major initiatives including OpenPlant (promoting open technologies for plant synthetic biology), Biomaker (funding construction of low-cost devices for biology), and the Engineering Biology IRC. He has taught undergraduate courses on Plant and Microbial Sciences (NST PMS 1B), Plant Development (NST CDB 1B), and Synthetic Biology (NST PS 2), with extensive teaching materials publicly available online. His laboratory has pioneered techniques for cell-free expression systems that are 200-400 times cheaper than commercial versions, low-cost microreactors using 3D-printed components, and innovative in vivo plant sensing devices. The group has developed extensive resources for the plant synthetic biology community, including standardized DNA parts, microscopy techniques, and educational materials for no-code programming in biology.
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)
Simon Arthur is a Professor of Immune Signalling at the University of Dundee, School of Life Sciences, within the Department of Cell Signalling and Immunology. His research focuses on understanding inflammatory processes, particularly the role of innate immune cells in coordinating inflammation and resolving immune responses. He holds a PhD from the University of Oxford (1995) and a BSc from Durham University (1990). Arthur is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (2015) and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry . His teaching includes courses on Genetics, Cell Signalling, Immunology, and advanced topics in immunology and cell signalling. He supervises PhD projects on microglial phenotypes in brain ageing and immunomodulatory factors in helminth-host interactions. Arthur leads research projects funded by the Medical Research Council and other agencies, including studies on liver fibrosis, bile acid diarrhoea, and pulmonary fibrosis. Key research themes include cytokine regulation, macrophage function, and the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation. His work spans from fundamental biology to translational research, aiming to develop therapies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Arthur collaborates internationally and has over 180 publications in high-impact journals.
Vivian Li is a Senior Group Leader and Assistant Research Director at The Francis Crick Institute in London, UK, leading a research group focused on intestinal stem cell biology and colorectal cancer mechanisms. Dr. Li earned her PhD from the University of Hong Kong's Department of Pathology in 2008, researching molecular mechanisms of human colonic development and tumorigenesis, for which she received the Gold Medal Prize. She then completed postdoctoral training with Hans Clevers at the Hubrecht Institute in the Netherlands, funded by the Croucher Foundation Fellowship, focusing on Wnt pathway proteomics and intestinal stem cell genes using transgenic mouse models. Her research program investigates how stem cells maintain healthy gut tissue and what goes wrong during cancer development, with particular emphasis on Wnt signaling pathways. Dr. Li's laboratory utilizes advanced organoid technology ('mini-guts') to study stem cell behavior in three-dimensional cultures, gene editing techniques, and state-of-the-art imaging approaches. Her work spans developmental biology, stem cell research, and cancer biology with significant translational implications. Analysis of her recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong focus on cancer stemness mechanisms, intestinal regeneration pathways, Wnt signaling components, and innovative organoid modeling approaches for colorectal cancer. Her research consistently bridges basic science with potential clinical applications in gastrointestinal medicine. Gold Medal Prize for PhD thesis Croucher Foundation Fellowship Dr. Li established her independent laboratory at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research in February 2013 and transitioned to the Francis Crick Institute in 2015. Her research aims to develop tumor-specific therapies for bowel cancer and grow replacement human gut tissue for transplantation or drug testing platforms. She leads a multidisciplinary team utilizing cutting-edge techniques including reverse mouse genetics, ex vivo organoid cultures, and advanced genomic and proteomic analyses to investigate stem cell regulation in health and disease. Her laboratory at the Crick Institute operates within the Biological Research Facility and collaborates extensively with other research groups both within the institute and internationally, contributing significantly to understanding intestinal stem cell niche dynamics and cancer development mechanisms.
Dimitrios (Dimitris) Anastasiou is a Senior Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute in London, UK, specializing in cancer metabolism research. Previously, he served as a Group Leader at the Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) starting in 2012 before transitioning to the Crick Institute in 2015. His research career includes postdoctoral work and an Instructor position at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School under Lewis Cantley, where he focused on metabolic reprogramming in cancer. University College London, UK - BSc Molecular Biology (2001) University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland - PhD in Biochemistry (2006) Anastasiou's research centers on understanding how cancer cells generate energy and utilize nutrients differently from normal cells. His laboratory conducts detailed analyses of metabolic pathways in cancer, investigating how tumor cells rewire their metabolism to support rapid growth and evade the body's defenses. His work spans biochemistry, proteomics, computational systems biology, human physiology, and tumor biology, with particular emphasis on identifying metabolic vulnerabilities that could be targeted for cancer therapy. His innovative approaches include developing chemical 'sensors' to monitor metabolic changes in cancer cells over time as tumors develop. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on metabolic regulation in cancer, particularly regarding glycolysis, hypoxia response, amino acid metabolism, and nucleotide biosynthesis. His work frequently examines enzyme regulation (particularly PKM2), metabolic adaptation to environmental stressors, and the intersection between metabolism and signaling pathways. A notable trend is his exploration of how metabolic enzymes function beyond their traditional roles, influencing cellular signaling and gene expression in cancer contexts. Anastasiou has made significant contributions to understanding metabolic reprogramming in cancer, particularly regarding pyruvate kinase M2 regulation, hypoxia responses, and nutrient utilization in tumor microenvironments. His work bridges basic biochemical mechanisms with potential therapeutic applications, focusing on identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells that could be exploited for treatment. As a Senior Group Leader at the Crick Institute, Anastasiou leads a research group investigating how metabolism contributes to disease, particularly cancer. His laboratory utilizes a range of techniques including metabolomics, bioinformatics, structural biology, and high-throughput screening to study metabolic pathways. The group's work aims to identify fundamental differences between metabolic pathways in tumors and healthy tissue to discover new therapeutic targets against cancer.
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.
Professor Udo Oppermann serves as Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of Laboratory Sciences at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford. He is also Deputy Director of the Oxford Centre of Translational Myeloma Research and a fellow at St Catherine's College. His educational background includes a Diploma in Human Biology (1990) and PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology (1994), both earned with distinctions from Philipps University Marburg. Prior academic appointments include Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet (until 2004) and sabbatical work at Yale University. Research focuses on epigenetic mechanisms in disease through drug and target discovery using systems biology and single-cell approaches . Key disease targets include metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and malignant diseases—particularly multiple myeloma and secondary bone cancers. His group pioneers chemical biology applications in primary tumor microenvironments. Current funding sources include Cancer Research UK, Innovate UK, EPSRC, Royal Society-Newton Fund, Bristol Myers Squibb, Bayer Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Blood Cancer UK, and Leducq Foundation. Notable research trends show increasing emphasis on epigenetic regulation in immune cells (2020-2024), single-cell technologies for myeloma (2022-2024), and translational applications of chromatin modifiers (2016-2019). Recent work integrates metabolomics with epigenetic mechanisms in gynecological and hematological disorders. He supervises doctoral research including Singh K.'s 2024 thesis on sonodynamic therapy mechanisms. Leadership roles encompass directing Oxford's Molecular Laboratory Sciences division and co-leading translational myeloma research initiatives.
Dr. Masahiro Ono is a Reader in Immunology at Imperial College London's Department of Life Sciences, within the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He leads research on T-cell regulation, focusing on autoimmunity, infections, and cancer. His lab pioneered the Tocky system, using Fluorescent Timer proteins to study T-cell activity dynamics in vivo. Dr. Ono holds affiliations with the CRUK Convergence Science Centre, Infection and Immunity, and Integrative Systems Biology. His academic journey includes an MD from Kyoto University (1993-1999) and a PhD in regulatory T cells (2002-2006). He was awarded a HFSP Fellowship (2009) and BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship (2012), establishing his UCL lab before joining Imperial in 2015. Research Interests : Dr. Ono's work bridges immunology, genomics, and systems biology. His lab explores T-cell activation mechanisms, tumor immunology, and bioinformatics tools for single-cell analysis. Key innovations include the Tocky system for real-time cell kinetics tracking and integrative approaches like GatingTree for cytometry data analysis. Awards : HFSP Fellowship (2009) BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship (2012) Grants & Advising : Dr. Ono's grants have supported projects on viral latency, tumor microenvironment modulation, and immune checkpoint therapies. His lab actively collaborates on translational research, though specific grant details are not listed here. Labs & Teams : His lab at Imperial focuses on Tocky-based technologies and interdisciplinary convergence science through the CRUK Centre. Collaborations span virology, oncology, and bioengineering to address unmet clinical needs in immunotherapy.
Professor Anne Ferguson-Smith is a leading mammalian developmental geneticist and epigeneticist at the University of Cambridge, holding the Arthur Balfour Professorship of Genetics. As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, she oversees the university's research strategy while maintaining her laboratory's focus on genomic imprinting and epigenetic inheritance . Her work bridges experimental and computational approaches through affiliations with the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge Neuroscience, and the Centre for Trophoblast Research. Research in her lab investigates epigenetic mechanisms in developmental processes , particularly through the lens of Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted domain studies. Current themes include: Stem cell epigenetic programming Environmental modulation of epigenetic states Role of repetitive elements in genomic regulation Her group integrates mouse and zebrafish models with high-throughput genomics and mathematical modeling . Key collaborations include: Wellcome Trust UKRI Medical Research Council BBSRC NIH Scientific honors include: Elected EMBO Member (2006) Academy of Medical Sciences (2012) Fellow of the Royal Society (2017) Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) The lab maintains family-friendly research practices and actively participates in interdisciplinary collaborations across Cambridge and internationally.
Professor Arthur Kaser is a leading academic gastroenterologist and Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Cambridge. He leads the Gastrointestinal Diseases theme of the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, a partnership between Cambridge University Hospitals and the University of Cambridge. Department of Medicine Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID) British Society for Immunology Funding Recipient His groundbreaking research focuses on the mechanisms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) , including: Dysregulation of enterocyte cell intrinsic processes causing IBD Genetic polymorphisms linked to disease risk Purine nucleoside metabolism and unfolded protein response Mitochondrial metabolism in immune regulation Role of GPR35 and ORMDL proteins in epithelial homeostasis Recent publications highlight his work across genetic models, metabolic pathways, and clinical trials in IBD, with a focus on: AAV8 gene therapy for mitochondrial disorders ER stress and autophagy in intestinal epithelium Anti-IL-23 therapies (mirikizumab, risankizumab) Polyunsaturated fatty acids in Crohn's disease pathogenesis Scientific honors include: Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) He collaborates with clinicians and researchers including Dr. James Lee, Dr. Nicole Kaneider, Dr. Trevor Lawley , and Professor Gordon Dougan. His work is supported by the Medical Research Council and institutional grants from the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.
Professor Philip Taylor is a Professor of Translational Immunology in the Division of Infection and Immunity at Cardiff University's School of Medicine. He serves as PGR Lead for the Systems Immunity Research Institute and is a UK Dementia Research Institute Professor. His research focuses on the innate immune system, particularly macrophages, myeloid cell surface receptors, and the complement system. His educational background includes a PhD in Molecular Genetics from Imperial College London (1998) and a BSc in Human Genetics from University College London (1994). His career progression shows a strong trajectory in immunology research, with positions at Oxford University before joining Cardiff University. Professor Taylor's research interests center on macrophage biology, particularly their origins, development, renewal, and transcriptional control of cellular activation. More recently, he has developed a significant focus on microglia in dementia, especially Alzheimer's disease. He also has interests in developing technologies that promote the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in animal research while maintaining scientific excellence. His work heavily involves experimental murine models of disease and immunity with the ultimate goal of elucidating novel mechanisms to manipulate macrophage activity for beneficial outcomes in disease. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward understanding the role of the immune system in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's, while maintaining his foundational work on macrophage biology and pathogen recognition. The research spans multiple disciplines including immunology, neuroscience, cell biology, and genetics, with strong translational potential. Recipient of a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award (2016-2021) Recipient of a Medical Research Council Senior Fellowship (2007-2014) Awarded Research Lecturer status, Oxford University (2006) Recipient of a Wellcome Trust Research Career Development Fellowship (2003-2007) Awarded RSII status, Oxford University (2002) Recipient of Medical Research Council PhD studentship (1994) Professor Taylor leads the Myeloid Cell Biology Group at Cardiff University, which investigates macrophage biology in homeostasis and disease, as well as the role of microglia in dementia. His current grant funding includes an MRC UK Dementia Research Institute Programme Grant (2017-2023) worth £1.7M and a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award (2016-2021) worth £1.41M. His research group is actively involved in understanding how genes implicated in Alzheimer's disease impact microglial function, with the aim of inspiring novel therapeutic approaches. The Myeloid Cell Biology Group is investigating professional phagocytes (macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils) and their diverse roles in development, host defense, inflammation, wound healing, and immune surveillance. The group focuses on fundamental aspects of phagocyte biology, including pathogen recognition receptors, downstream signaling, and cellular activation events, with the goal of manipulating cell behavior for therapeutic benefit.
Dr. Shoib Siddiqui is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire's School of Life and Medical Sciences, specializing in cancer biology, immunology, and glycobiology. Previously, he held positions at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and conducted postdoctoral research at UC San Diego under Prof. Ajit Varki. His research focuses on sialic acids, Siglecs, and microRNA mechanisms in cancer, Alzheimer’s, and sepsis. He earned his Ph.D. from ETH Zurich, investigating neuropilin-2 in skin cancer progression. Education: Ph.D. in Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology (ETH Zurich, 2009–2013) M.Sc. in Biotechnology (IIT Bombay, 2008) Research Focus: Dr. Siddiqui’s work explores cancer progression pathways, tumor biomarkers, and novel therapies. Key areas include Siglec-sialoglycan interactions, microRNA targeting, and drug repurposing for colorectal cancer. His recent projects involve developing RNAi therapeutics and inhibitors for Siglec-15. Projects: Fluralaner as a Colorectal Cancer Therapeutic (2026–2027) ADAMTS-7 Inhibition for Coronary Artery Disease (2022) UK-China Mycotoxin Reduction Alliance (2022–2023) Publications: Over 39 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Journal of Clinical Investigation , PNAS , and Blood , with a focus on oncology, glycobiology, and immunology. Recent trends emphasize Siglec-targeted therapies, microRNA networks, and drug repurposing strategies. Awards: No formal awards listed, but noted for impactful publications in high-impact journals. Advising & Grants: Served as Principal Investigator (PI) on RNAi therapeutics and Co-Investigator (CoI) on Siglec-15 and ADAMTS-7 projects. Collaborations span international institutions and cross-disciplinary teams. Labs/Teams: Active in the Biosciences Research Group and Centre for Research in Mechanisms of Disease and Drug Discovery at UH. Collaborates with global researchers in glycobiology and oncology.
Gerry Crossan is a programme leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), University of Cambridge, and concurrently serves as a Governing-Body Fellow and Research-Fellowships Secretary (STEM) at a Cambridge college, placing him at the intersection of cutting-edge research and academic governance. His research seeks to understand how genetic information is transmitted faithfully across generations, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms that protect germ-line cells from DNA damage. Trained in DNA-interstrand-crosslink repair, he pioneered studies revealing how endogenous aldehydes—common by-products of metabolism and alcohol—create genotoxic stress, damage chromosomes and fuel stem-cell mutation. His work delineated the Fanconi anaemia DNA-repair pathway as a critical guardian against such damage, demonstrated that maternal aldehyde detoxification during pregnancy safeguards the fetal genome, and identified SLX4 as a key tumour-suppressor/nuclease regulator whose loss phenocopies Fanconi anaemia. More recently his programme has expanded to primordial-germ-cell biology, demonstrating that translesion DNA synthesis is essential for genome-wide demethylation and normal germ-cell development, and uncovering protective roles of Fanconi proteins against retrotransposon activity. Across more than two dozen high-impact publications (Nature, Nature Genetics, Molecular Cell, Blood) a clear trend emerges: integration of biochemical, genetic and whole-animal approaches to expose how everyday metabolites threaten genome integrity, how defined repair pathways counteract these threats, and how failure of such defences precipitates developmental abnormality, bone-marrow failure and cancer. These insights are already informing therapeutic strategies, exemplified by his proposal to repurpose metformin to mitigate aldehyde stress in Fanconi anaemia patients. Within Cambridge he contributes to collegiate governance and to the selection and mentoring of incoming research fellows, underlining his commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists.