معرفی
Dr. Francesca Mackenzie is a Senior Lecturer in Physiology and Pharmacology with a specialism in neuroscience at Kingston University's School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, within the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She serves as Deputy Course Leader for the BSc Pharmacology program and leads a research group investigating neuronal development and regeneration. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), 4 (Quality Education), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Her educational background includes a DPhil in Genetics from the University of Oxford and MRC Harwell Mammalian Genetics Unit, following a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology from the University of Bath. She has held postdoctoral positions researching neuromuscular biology at MRC Harwell and neuronal development at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Mackenzie's research focuses on the genetics and cell biology of neuronal development and regeneration, particularly in the peripheral nervous system and the eye. She employs research-led teaching methods with emphasis on authentic problem-solving and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. Her laboratory investigates mechanosensing pathways in microglia related to Alzheimer's disease, neuronal regeneration mechanisms, and the role of VEGF in neural development and disease.
Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent contributions to neurobiology, with particular emphasis on neuronal development, regeneration mechanisms, and signaling pathways like VEGF and Hippo in neural function. Her work spans from fundamental molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications, especially in neurodegenerative conditions and regenerative medicine.
Her scholarly recognition includes:
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Dr. Mackenzie actively supervises postgraduate research students and serves on the Kingston University Faculty Research Ethics Committee. She is the Academic Lead for the Biotechnology laboratory and contributes to the university's Vision, Cognition and Neuroscience research theme. As a reviewer for journals including Frontiers in Neuroscience and Cells, she maintains active engagement with the scientific community.
Her laboratory currently includes PhD students Lucrezia Bruno and Najwa Abdulkadir, and MScR student Tien Ngo Thuy, continuing research on neuronal development, regeneration, and microglial function in health and disease.
