Nicolas Stewart

Dr. Nicolas Stewart is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Sciences at the University of Brighton, affiliated with the Centre for Environment and Society and Applied Chemical Sciences Research Excellence Group. His research focuses on protein modification mechanisms, particularly non-enzymatic chemical modifications by reactive metabolites, and their implications in diseases like neurodegeneration, diabetes, and cancer. He develops mass spectrometry-based methods for biomarker discovery and has pioneered techniques for sex determination using tooth enamel peptides.

Education: PhD in Chemistry (2004, University of Ottawa), postdoctoral training at Ottawa Health Research Institute, National Chemistry Institute (USA), and University of Pittsburgh. His work integrates proteomics, lipidomics, and bioarchaeology with clinical applications.

Research interests include: 1) Protein modification by catecholamines/oestrogen metabolites; 2) Biomaterial development from protein modification; 3) Ancient DNA analysis using enamel peptides; 4) Environmental contaminant impact assessments. Current funding includes a Leverhulme Trust project on sex determination via tooth enamel.

Publications highlight proteomic analysis of disease biomarkers, extracellular vesicle-based diagnostics, and archaeological biochemistry. Recent studies explore stress-induced proteomic changes in cancer models and lipidomic responses to plant-based antioxidants.

Teaching focuses on analytical chemistry concepts, emphasizing conceptual understanding over rote memorization. Supervises projects in proteomic analysis and biomarker discovery.