Paul Hartley

Dr Paul Hartley is an Associate Professor in Cell Physiology at Bournemouth University's Department of Life and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Technology. His research focuses on understanding cellular mechanisms linking gene expression to specialized functions, primarily using Drosophila as a model organism. Key areas include nephrocyte genetics, cardiovascular physiology, and aging processes. He holds a PhD from Edinburgh Medical School’s Centre for Inflammation Research (2005) and a BSc in Biotechnology from the University of Abertay Dundee (1999).

Research Interests: Dr Hartley’s work explores nephrocyte function in insects, linking to human kidney disease models. Recent projects examine pesticide toxicity in pollinator species and the role of circadian rhythms in cardiovascular health. His lab uses genetic, biochemical, and imaging techniques to study clearance systems and their impact on immunity, metabolism, and organ function.

Grants & Awards: Notable grants include Kidney Research UK funding for podocyte biology studies (£422,903) and a British Heart Foundation award for circadian platelet research (£142,168). He received the Investigator Award from The Renal Association in 2017 for his invited lecture on nephrocyte aging models.

Teaching Roles: Previously served as Programme Lead for BSc Biological Sciences (2017–2021) and teaches Advanced Cell Biology, Pharmacology, and Biomedical Research Skills. Active in public outreach through conferences and collaborations with institutions like Harvard Medical School and the University of Osnabrück.

Labs & Networks: Leads the Hartley Lab, part of Bournemouth's microscopy research network. Collaborates internationally on reagent sharing for nephrology studies and serves on peer review boards for journals like Nature Reviews Nephrology and Blood.