Sadani Cooray

Dr. Sadani Cooray is Deputy Dean (Undergraduate Studies) in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (FMD) at Queen Mary University of London. She holds the title of Reader in Pharmacology Education and serves as Programme Director for the BSc and intercalated BSc Pharmacology & Innovative Therapeutics. Her academic career includes roles as Senior Lecturer (2016) and Reader (2021). Dr. Cooray’s research focuses on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in endocrine function and inflammation, particularly exploring ligand-induced conformational changes in receptors like ALX and FPR2. She has pioneered studies on annexin A1’s role in resolving inflammation and the anti/proinflammatory properties of formyl peptide receptors.

Education:

• MSc in General & Medical Microbiology (University College London, 1998)
• MSc by Research in Genetics/Neuroscience (University of Oxford, 2001)
• PhD in Endocrinology (Queen Mary University of London, 2006)

Research Interests: Dr. Cooray’s work bridges pharmacology and molecular biology, with emphasis on GPCR signaling dynamics, inflammation resolution, and endocrine disorders. Her studies on ALX/FPR2 receptor heterodimerization and biased agonism mechanisms have advanced understanding of proresolving mediators and therapeutic design.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2020 Rang Prize (BPS)
• 2020 Learning Science Teaching Innovation Award
• 2020 Principal & President’s Pharmacology Education Prize
• 2016 WHRI Excellence in Education Prize
• Multiple Outstanding Young Investigator Awards (2006–2010)

Teaching & Leadership: As Education Lead for the Centre for Biochemical Pharmacology, Dr. Cooray oversees undergraduate programs and exam boards. She chairs examination committees across multiple biomedical programs and advises on curriculum development nationally through the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) Expert Panel.

Labs & Teams: Her research group operates within the William Harvey Research Institute’s Biochemical Pharmacology Centre, collaborating with the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine on translational projects. Key sponsors include the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council.