معرفی
Professor Aine McKillop is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University, specializing in Biomedical Sciences. She is based at the Coleraine campus and serves as Associate Dean (Academic Quality and Student Experience). Her research focuses on diabetes, with expertise in clinical biomarkers, GPCRs, and pancreatic islet function. She has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and holds patents related to novel antidiabetic technologies.
- BSc Hons and PhD – Queen’s University, Belfast
- MSc – Ulster University
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Queen’s University, Belfast (1996–1998)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Ulster University (1998–2002)
Her research interests include novel therapeutic targets for diabetes, the role of GPCRs, diagnostic biomarkers, and clinical biochemistry and diabetes proteomics. She also teaches Clinical and Nutritional Biochemistry and Pathology. Her work contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-being.
The most recent publications highlight her ongoing work in incretin biology, GPR receptor signaling, and the development of stable peptide analogues for diabetes treatment. Her studies often use rodent models of obesity and diabetes to evaluate metabolic outcomes, with a focus on beta-cell function, insulin sensitivity, and glucose homeostasis.
- Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence 2017 Finalist
She has supervised PhD students such as Nicola Bartholomew and Dearbhla McGinn. Her research has been supported by institutional and collaborative grants, and she is actively involved in academic leadership and innovation in teaching. She is a member of several professional societies and contributes to research commercialization efforts.
