Chris Young

Dr Chris Young is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science and Enterprise Lead for the School of Allied Health Sciences at De Montfort University's Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. He also serves as a long-term visiting scientist at the Li Ka Shing Cancer Research UK Research Institute, Addenbrookes, Cambridge, and maintains research collaborations with the University of Portsmouth.

Dr Young completed his PhD in Molecular Medicine at the University of Portsmouth (2007-2011), an MSc in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology with Distinction from the University of Sussex (2006-2007), and a BSc in Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry with First Class Honours from The Open University (2003-2006). He also holds a PG-Cert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education with Distinction (2019) and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Dr Young's research focuses on skeletal muscle pathologies and in vitro/in vivo modeling of human pathologies, with two main themes: elucidating the role of autophagy in skeletal muscle stem cells, and developing next-generation wound dressings for trauma and disaster medicine. His work on autophagy has therapeutic potential extending to muscle disease, muscle aging, soft tissue injuries, rhabdomyosarcoma, diabetes, and liver disease. His expertise in muscle pathology underpins his co-founded company, Chromar Research & Development Ltd., which customizes IP and technology for human and veterinary markets.

Analysis of Dr Young's publication record reveals a strong focus on muscle pathology, particularly Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with significant contributions to understanding autophagy mechanisms and purinergic signaling. His recent work has expanded into cancer research, particularly colorectal cancer biomarkers, and medical education innovations, reflecting his diverse research interests and interdisciplinary approach.

• ICURe Discover, Explore & Exploit awardee for Chromar Research and Development Ltd. (2024-2025)
• VentureVersity selected case study for success in Enterprise and Innovation (2024)
• Shortlisted for Academy of Medical Sciences Early Career Award (2023)
• Blavatnik Award Nominee (2022)
• Elected Member of the Fisheries Society of the British Isles (2022-present)
• Member of the Royal Society of Biology (2021-present)
• Future Research Leader Scholarship (2020)
• Innovation for International Education Award from Nanolive (2019)

Dr Young successfully supervises PhD students including Michal Kozielecki, Kyle Gordon, and Divine Derefaka, and has secured four successive externally funded innovation grants to support Chromar in the last two years. His teaching portfolio includes Chemistry for the Biosciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, Cyto & Histopathology, Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Genetics, and Cancer Biology, where he serves as Module Lead for Research Projects and as 1st Year Coordinator and Timetabling Coordinator for Biomedical Science.

Dr Young maintains an active laboratory focused on skeletal muscle pathologies with two main research themes. He is collaborating with Dr Omar Qutachi to spin out Chromar Research & Development Ltd. with Innovate UK ICURe funding support, demonstrating his commitment to translating research into practical applications for human and veterinary markets.