Paul Kirkham

Prof Paul Kirkham is a Professor of Cell Biology at the University of Wolverhampton, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Department of Biomedical Sciences & Physiology. He has over 30 years of research experience, with a focus on respiratory disease since 1998.

• Education: PhD in Biochemistry (University of Surrey, 1989)
• Key Affiliations: Imperial College London (Senior Research Fellow, 2008–2013), Novartis (1998–2008), University of Messina (Visiting Professor, 2019)

Research Interests: His work explores how oxidative and carbonyl stress modulate cellular and immune responses in respiratory diseases like COPD and fibrosis. Specific projects include:

• Carbonyl stress and macrophage plasticity
• Mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction in airway inflammation
• Linking COPD to cardiovascular comorbidities via biomarkers
• Therapeutic strategies for fibrosis and autoimmunity

Publications highlight his contributions to understanding oxidative stress in COPD, autoimmune biomarkers, and metabolic reprogramming in airway smooth muscle cells. He has over 79 publications, including high-impact journals like Chest, European Respiratory Journal, and Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Scientific Awards & Roles:

• Royal Society Industry Fellowship (2008)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Biologists (2020)
• Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Inflammation (2008–present)
• Secretary of Section 5.1, European Respiratory Society (2015–2018)
• Founder & Director, DykoMed Ltd (2015)

Teaching and Mentorship: He has led modules on respiratory anatomy, molecular pathology, and mitochondrial dysfunction, mentoring PhD and DBMS students since 2001. His funded postdoc grant (2019–2025) reflects ongoing research support.