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Professor Alan Winston serves as Professor of Genito-Urinary Medicine within the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London's Faculty of Medicine. He concurrently holds a Consultant Physician position at St. Mary's Hospital, London, where he directs the HIV and GU clinical trials unit managing over 20 active studies. His clinical and academic work bridges patient care with cutting-edge research in HIV comorbidities. Winston qualified from Glasgow University and completed specialized training in general medicine and HIV care across the UK and Australia. This foundation supports his current focus on non-infectious complications in the modern antiretroviral era, particularly neurological and mental health aspects. His research prominently explores central nervous system complications in HIV, cognitive impairment mechanisms, and mental health disparities including depression and anxiety. He investigates multimorbidity patterns in aging HIV populations and develops person-centered approaches to reduce stigma. His work integrates clinical trials, cohort studies like POPPY, and mixed-methods research to address quality-of-life challenges beyond viral suppression. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) neurocognitive effects of specific antiretrovirals (dolutegravir, bictegravir), (2) psychosocial determinants of cognitive performance, and (3) systemic barriers in mental healthcare access for HIV patients. The POPPY cohort study serves as a critical data source across multiple publications examining aging, polypharmacy, and multimorbidity. Winston leads the POPPY study tracking comorbidities in HIV-positive individuals over time and directs the St. Mary's clinical trials unit conducting therapeutic research. His team includes clinical project managers, trials coordinators, and research staff like PhD candidate Merle Henderson. While specific grants aren't detailed, his management of 20+ concurrent studies indicates substantial research funding from sources including European AIDS Clinical Society collaborations. His laboratory and clinical operations are centered at the Winston Churchill Wing of St Mary's Campus, with affiliations to the Section of Virology and St Mary's Clinical Trials Centre. He contributes to European guideline development, notably statin use recommendations for cardiovascular prevention in HIV patients.

• HIV
• Central Nervous System Complications
• Mental Health
• +5 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

Dr. Chris McCormick is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, specializing in virology with a focus on RNA virus replication, viral proteases, and host-pathogen interactions. He leads research projects on respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and rhinoviruses, and develops diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. His work integrates molecular biology, clinical virology, and translational research. Dr. McCormick teaches immunology and virology to medical students, holding roles such as Deputy Programme Lead for BM4 and Deputy Head of the School of Education. He supervises PhD and masters students in microbiology and infection-related fields. Key research contributions include studies on viral protease mechanisms, ACE2 receptor isoforms, and rapid diagnostic technologies. His projects are funded by organizations like the Medical Research Council and the Aair Charity. Dr. McCormick collaborates with institutions globally and serves as an editor for the Microbiology Society.

• Virology
• RNA Virus Replication
• Viral Proteases
• +3 more

Peter McHugh is Professor of Molecular Oncology at the University of Oxford, serving as Director of Oncology Laboratories at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM) and Head of the DNA Damage and Repair Group within the Department of Oncology. His research focuses on understanding DNA damage and repair mechanisms to elucidate cancer causes and improve treatment strategies. McHugh completed his D.Phil in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford in 1996, following a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from UMIST in 1991. His postdoctoral training included positions as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at University College London (1997-2001) and as a Royal Society Research Fellow at UCL (2001-2002). His research program centers on molecular mechanisms of DNA repair pathways, particularly investigating nucleases like SNM1A and repair processes for complex DNA damage including interstrand crosslinks. McHugh's work spans structural biology, biochemical characterization of repair enzymes, and translational applications for cancer therapy. His laboratory employs approaches ranging from single-molecule analysis to cellular and animal models to understand how DNA repair deficiencies contribute to cancer development and how these pathways can be targeted therapeutically. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on DNA-protein crosslink repair, nuclease mechanisms, and the development of targeted cancer therapies. His work demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between basic DNA repair mechanisms and clinical oncology applications, with particular emphasis on identifying novel therapeutic targets within DNA repair pathways. Royal Society Research Fellow (2001-2002) As Director of Oncology Laboratories at WIMM and Head of the DNA Damage and Repair Group, Professor McHugh oversees significant research infrastructure and leads a team investigating fundamental mechanisms of genome maintenance. His work has implications for understanding cancer predisposition syndromes and developing targeted therapies that exploit DNA repair deficiencies in cancer cells. His laboratory maintains active collaborations across molecular oncology, structural biology, and translational medicine disciplines. The McHugh Group at the WIMM operates state-of-the-art facilities for DNA repair research, with expertise in biochemical reconstitution of repair pathways, cellular DNA damage response analysis, and development of chemical tools to probe repair mechanisms. The group maintains strong connections with clinical oncology researchers to bridge basic science discoveries with therapeutic applications.

• DNA Damage and Repair
• Molecular Oncology
• Cancer Biology
• +3 more

Chris McCormick is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, specializing in virology with a focus on RNA viruses. His research explores viral replication mechanisms, proteases, and host-pathogen interactions. He holds a BSc, DPhil (PhD), and PGCert. He teaches Immunology and Virology to medical students and supervises PhD candidates. McCormick has contributed to advancements in diagnostic tools for respiratory viruses and SARS-CoV-2, including point-of-care testing and molecular inactivation techniques. He serves as Deputy Programme Lead for BM4 and holds roles in education management. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, addressing global health challenges. Education: BSc, DPhil, PGCert Teaching Roles: Deputy Programme Lead (BM4), Deputy Head of School of Education, Year 1 Assessment Lead (BM4), Head of Field for BMedSci Microbiology projects External Roles: Editor (Microbiology Society, 2017–2021), Member (Virus Division, Microbiology Society, 2017–2020) His research interests include viral replication, protease functions, and diagnostic innovations. Recent work focuses on ACE2 receptor mechanisms and antiviral strategies. McCormick collaborates on multidisciplinary projects, emphasizing translational medicine.

• RNA Virus Replication
• Viral Proteases
• Viral Host Pathogen Interactions
• +3 more

Dr. Adele McCormick is Reader in Molecular Virology at the University of Westminster's School of Life Sciences, where she leads the Genomics and Infectious Diseases research group. She coordinates the MSc Biomedical Science program and teaches molecular biology and clinical microbiology. Education background: PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems, University of Sheffield MSc in Clinical Pathology, University of Sheffield BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Sheffield Her research focuses on viral pathogenesis, antiviral resistance mechanisms in HIV/HCV, and the role of endogenous retroviruses in neurological disorders. She established the university's genomics facility for BSL-2 pathogen sequencing and collaborates internationally on antiviral development projects. Recent publications emphasize molecular diagnostics, SARS-CoV-2 therapeutics, and retroviral involvement in ALS. Her work shows increasing focus on nanoparticulate antivirals and long-read sequencing applications since 2020. Dr. McCormick has secured substantial research funding including an ALS Association grant ($325,000) and directs the Westminster virology research group. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and serves on editorial boards for virology journals.

• Virology
• Antiviral Drug Resistance
• Human Endogenous Retroviruses
• +2 more

Dr. Euan W. Baxter is a Research Fellow at the School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Faculty of Medicine and Health, affiliated with the Institute for Cancer and Pathology and the Discovery and Translational Science research group. His research centers on molecular mechanisms in gene regulation, chromatin dynamics, and protein signaling, particularly in cancer and immune pathways. His primary research interests include: Gene regulation and chromatin structure Protein-protein interactions and bioluminescent fusion systems Molecular cloning and recombinant protein expression Cellular assay development using flow cytometry and Fc gamma receptor signaling Apoptosis and oncogene addiction in cancer cell lines Although no recent publications are listed, his technical work suggests strong contributions in immunology, cancer biology, and molecular engineering, particularly in developing sensitive luciferase-based assays to monitor intracellular signaling events in real time. Dr. Baxter has no listed scientific awards or honors in the provided text. He has not advised any named students in the available information, and there is no mention of grant funding. However, his long-standing post-doctoral and research fellow roles across prestigious institutions indicate sustained research engagement and technical leadership. He is actively involved in the Discovery and Translational Science research group at Leeds, where he continues to explore the biology of Fc gamma receptors and their signaling mechanisms using advanced molecular and cellular techniques.

• Gene Regulation
• Chromatin Structure
• Molecular Biology
• +12 more

Dr. Alejandro Arenas-Pinto is a Principal Research Fellow at University College London's Institute for Global Health and a Senior Clinical Scientist at the MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL. He holds dual appointments in the Department of Infection and Population Health, Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research, and maintains clinical practice through honorary positions at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. His educational background includes: PhD from University College London (2007) MSc in Infectious and Health in the Tropics at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine with Distinction (2002) Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Royal College of Physicians (2001) Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery from Universidad Central de Venezuela (1996) Dr. Arenas-Pinto's research focuses on HIV clinical management and treatment strategies, with particular expertise in randomized clinical trials on HIV infection and associated complications, treatment strategies for HIV infection, adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment (especially mitochondrial toxicity), and HIV management in resource-limited settings. His work spans Clinical Sciences, Medical Microbiology, Epidemiology, Public Health, and Cardiovascular Medicine in HIV patients. His extensive publication record demonstrates evolving research interests from foundational HIV treatment trials to emerging infectious diseases like mpox, and adaptations of research infrastructure for respiratory viruses. Recent work shows increasing focus on cardiovascular risk prediction in HIV patients and metabolic complications of long-term antiretroviral therapy. His significant contributions include: Principal role in the PIVOT trial on protease inhibitor monotherapy for HIV management Contributions to the Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment (START) trial Research on neurocognitive function in HIV-positive patients Studies on hepatic steatosis in people living with HIV Investigations into mental health impacts on treatment adherence As an educator, Dr. Arenas-Pinto serves as a module coordinator and examiner board member for the UCL ICTM MSc programme on Clinical Trials and teaches clinical research methodology in Latin America. His work aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well Being), reflecting his commitment to improving global health outcomes in infectious diseases and HIV care.

• HIV Treatment Strategies
• Clinical Trials Methodology
• Infectious Diseases
• +7 more

Professor Paul Lehner holds the Sheila Joan Smith Professorship of Immunology at the University of Cambridge within the Department of Medicine (CITIID). As an active Infectious Diseases Physician, he bridges clinical practice with fundamental research in immunology and virology. His laboratory is situated at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, contributing to the Cambridge Immunology Network as a Principal Investigator and clinician-scientist. Lehner's research program centers on virus-host interactions with particular emphasis on epigenetic mechanisms of viral silencing. His group's landmark discovery of the human silencing hub (HUSH) complex represents a major advance in understanding how cells defend against retroelement invasion through genome-wide surveillance. His work integrates proteomics, CRISPR screening, and advanced cell models to investigate antigen presentation, MHC biology, and immune regulation pathways. Recent investigations span from fundamental epigenetic mechanisms to translational applications including SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and Long Covid immunology. Analysis of his publication trajectory reveals consistent focus on viral immune evasion strategies, with growing emphasis on organoid models for respiratory diseases and novel host factors in viral entry mechanisms. His work demonstrates strong integration of basic molecular mechanisms with clinical immunology, particularly evident in recent studies on T cell responses in Long Covid and viral modulation of host proteostasis. Lehner's research program operates at the intersection of immunology, virology, and epigenetics, maintaining strong clinical connections through his Infectious Diseases practice. His laboratory employs cutting-edge techniques including CRISPR screening, advanced proteomics, and novel organoid models to investigate fundamental mechanisms of immune recognition and viral countermeasures.

• Immunology
• Virology
• Epigenetics
• +6 more

Michael McKelvey is a Research Fellow at the Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast. His research investigates pulmonary inflammation mechanisms, protease biochemistry, and therapeutic interventions for respiratory diseases including COPD and ARDS. His recent studies examine hyperoxia effects on organ injury, neutrophil-derived proteases in lung inflammation, and antiviral treatments for COPD. Research involves randomized controlled trials and molecular pathway analysis. Awards: BALR Early Career Investigator Award (2023) J D Williamson Prize (2022) Shirodaria Prize (2017)

• Pulmonary inflammation
• Protease biochemistry
• Respiratory diseases
• +3 more

Professor John Lunec, based at Newcastle University 's Faculty of Medical Sciences , is a leading researcher in Molecular Oncology with over 30 years of publications focusing on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway and its interactions with oncogenic proteins like MDM2 . His work spans Cancer Therapeutics Development Genomic Instability in Tumors Drug Resistance Mechanisms RNA Splicing and Retrotransposon Biology Current research emphasizes MDM2-p53 interaction inhibitors for hematologic malignancies and sarcomas, with recent breakthroughs in Siremadlin and ASTX295 drug development Identification of SF3B1 resistance biomarkers Combination strategies with PARP and WEE1 inhibitors Key collaborations exist with Professor Nicola Curtin , Professor Deborah Tweddle , and Professor Herbie Newell , with funding evident through multiple clinical trials and laboratory studies. His work has significantly impacted neuroblastoma and ovarian cancer research, establishing frameworks for Drug sensitivity assays Genotype-phenotype correlations Translational medicine applications

• Molecular Oncology
• Cancer Therapeutics
• Genetic Abnormalities in Tumors
• +3 more

Dr Lennart Brewitz is a Lecturer in Chemistry at Jesus College, University of Oxford. He holds a PhD from the Technical University of Dortmund (2011-2014) and an M.Sc. from the Technical University of Munich (2006-2011). His research focuses on enzymology, drug discovery, and the development of inhibitors targeting viral and human enzymes, particularly SARS-CoV-2 proteases and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathways. Academic Background: PhD (Chemistry): Technical University of Dortmund (with Prof. Alois Fürstner) M.Sc. (Chemistry): Technical University of Munich Research Interests: Structure-activity relationships of SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitors Therapeutic applications of prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors in oncology Biochemical mechanisms of oxygen-dependent hydroxylases Design of macrocyclic peptides for antiviral drug delivery Recent work (2023–2025) emphasizes discovery of potent inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 main protease and papain-like protease, with notable contributions to understanding enzyme selectivity and hypoxia signaling pathways. His methods include activity-based proteomics and mass spectrometry-based assays. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. No student advisees are listed, though he contributes to undergraduate organic chemistry teaching at Jesus College. His research is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches in medicinal chemistry and enzymology.

• Medicinal Chemistry
• Enzymology
• Virology
• +5 more

Dr Abu-Bakr Abu-Median is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at De Montfort University's School of Allied Health Sciences since 2017. A veterinarian and molecular microbiologist with extensive experience in microbial diagnostics and pathogen research, he has contributed to developing portable molecular diagnostic devices for clinical and field applications. BVSc, University of Khartoum MSc in Applied Molecular Microbiology, University of Nottingham PhD in Molecular Bacteriology, University of Bristol His research focuses span antimicrobial resistance , molecular diagnostics , zoonotic diseases , and microarray technology . He has pioneered DNA-based assays and microarrays for multi-pathogen detection, particularly in rodent and avian species. Recent publications highlight his work in pathogen discovery , viral characterization , and computational homology modeling for microbial virulence factors. His expertise in lab-on-a-chip systems and bioinformatics has advanced wildlife disease surveillance methodologies. Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy As an educator, he teaches molecular biology and infectious diseases to biomedical science students and supervises PhD candidates. His professional work includes collaborations with The Pirbright Institute and EU/BBSRC funded research projects.

• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Molecular Biology
• Infectious Diseases
• +5 more

Professor Heike Laman is the Head of the Department of Pathology and Professor of Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge , leading research on ubiquitin ligases and their roles in disease. Her work bridges molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications, focusing on cancer, neurodegeneration, and protein homeostasis. Current affiliation: Department of Pathology, School of the Biological Sciences Resident at Clare College since 2014 (Fellow and Graduate Admissions Tutor) Research Interests: Ubiquitin ligases orchestrate diverse cellular signals beyond protein degradation, influencing activity, localization, and interactions. Key areas include: Cancer: Investigating SCF-Fbxw7 networks in epithelial cancers and cyclin E1 accumulation Neurodegeneration: Fbxo7's role in Parkinson's disease and dopaminergic neuron survival Therapeutic Innovation: Developing PROTACs and nanobodies to target ubiquitin ligases Publication Trends: Recent work spans ubiquitin signaling in cancer metabolism, neuroprotective pathways in Parkinson's, and structure-based design of degraders. Collaborations with AstraZeneca and academic experts highlight translational focus. Scientific Awards: Recognized for academic leadership, including election to Clare College Fellowship (2014) and early career Imperial Cancer Research Fund Fellowship. Advising: Mentors PhD students in projects on ubiquitin ligases, Parkinson's, cancer metabolism, and targeted protein degradation, with lab members working in 3D organoids , mouse models , and hiPSC-derived systems . Labs & Teams: Based at the Department of Pathology (Downing Site, Cambridge), the lab collaborates across Genetics , Pharmacology , and Clinical Neurosciences , with access to the Microscopy Bioscience Platform and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute .

• Ubiquitin ligases
• Cell cycle regulation
• Cancer biology
• +5 more

Dr. Estee Torok serves as an Affiliated Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Consultant in Infectious Diseases & Microbiology at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She concurrently leads the malaria genomic surveillance portfolio as Senior Program Officer for Malaria/Global Health at the Gates Foundation. With 30 years of clinical research experience, her expertise spans malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, viral hepatitis, antimicrobial resistance, and COVID-19, with specialized focus on microbial genomics and molecular epidemiology. Her research centers on pathogen evolution, genomic surveillance, and infectious disease dynamics, integrating genomic, epidemiological, and clinical data to address antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and viral outbreak responses. Recent work emphasizes malaria molecular surveillance in Africa, SARS-CoV-2 evolution in chronic infections, and bacterial genomics for resistance prediction, with strong emphasis on global health applications and public health intervention strategies. Analysis of her recent publications reveals dominant themes in pathogen genomics, particularly SARS-CoV-2 variant tracking and malaria surveillance. She has pioneered bioinformatics tools like BaGPipe for bacterial GWAS and led large-scale studies on viral transmission dynamics, vaccine responses, and antimicrobial resistance prediction using whole-genome sequencing, directly informing pandemic responses and malaria control programs worldwide. Dr. Torok actively contributes to academic education through postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge and Wellcome Sanger Institute in clinical medicine, microbiology, and genomics. She maintains strong international collaborations across six continents and is a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in global health research and practice.

• Malaria
• Genomics
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• +7 more