Natacha Veerapen

Dr Natacha Veerapen is a University Teacher at the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sheffield. She holds a BSc from the University of Mauritius (2000) and a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from Simon Fraser University, Canada (2005), specializing in carbohydrate chemistry. Her research focuses on glycolipid synthesis, vaccine adjuvants, and immune cell interactions, particularly involving MAIT cells and MR1-mediated antigen presentation. She has contributed to studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug targets and immunomodulatory lipid antigens.

Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate courses such as Biological Molecules 1 and laboratory sessions for Years 1 and 2. Her research interests span organic chemistry, glycobiology, and immunology, with recent work addressing metabolic pathways in T-cell activation and antibiotic development. Awards include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC).

Her publications highlight advancements in understanding MAIT cell biology, MR1 protein functions, and novel drug targets for tuberculosis. Ongoing projects explore the role of lipid metabolism in immune responses, with implications for vaccine design and infectious disease treatment.