Francisco Rivero Crespo

Dr Francisco Rivero Crespo is Reader in Molecular Cell Biology at Hull York Medical School, University of Hull. He serves as Postgraduate Training Scheme Lead and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), contributing extensively to MB BS Medicine, MSc Pharmacology and Drug Development, and Department of Biomedical Sciences teaching programmes.

Education

• MD, University of Valladolid (1989)
• PhD, Institute of Biochemistry, CSIC-Universidad Complutense, Madrid (1994)
• Postdoctoral fellowships: Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried (1994-1997) and University of Cologne (1997-1998)

Research Interests

Dr Rivero’s laboratory investigates the cytoskeleton, focusing on actin dynamics and signalling pathways regulating cytoskeletal remodelling in blood platelets. His work explores how platelet activation—mediated by intricate signalling cascades—drives morphological changes required for adhesion, spreading, and aggregation at sites of vascular injury. A translational dimension of his research aims to improve diagnostics and therapeutics for thrombotic disorders underlying cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

Publications Overview

Across more than 50 peer-reviewed papers, Dr Rivero has advanced understanding of platelet physiology, actin-binding proteins, and signalling scaffolds. Recent outputs highlight roles for coronins, RhoBTB3, plastin-1 and cyclase dynamics in platelet and sensory cell biology, bridging in vitro biochemical assays to in vivo mouse models.

Scientific Awards & Recognition

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Editorial board member: Scientific Reports, Cells, and BMC Molecular and Cell Biology

Supervision & Funding

Dr Rivero presently supervises Paulo Saldanha (PhD) and has mentored David Riley, Anisha Chacko, Jawad S. Khalil, Pooja Joshi and Julia Lutz to PhD completion. He welcomes new postgraduate researchers interested in cytoskeletal biology, platelet signalling, and translational cardiovascular research.

Laboratory & Collaborations

The lab is embedded within the Hull York Medical School research environment, fostering collaborations with clinicians and basic scientists across the UK and Europe. Facilities include advanced live-cell imaging, flow-based adhesion assays, and genetically modified mouse colonies, enabling multifaceted investigation of cytoskeletal dynamics in health and disease.