Simon McArthur

Dr Simon McArthur is a Senior Lecturer in Neuroscience & Pharmacology at the Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. He holds a BA and MA from the University of Cambridge (Natural Sciences/Pharmacology) and a PhD from Imperial College London (Neuropharmacology). His research focuses on environmental influences on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly mechanisms linking gut microbiota with brain pathology. Key areas include microbiota-derived metabolites' effects on blood-brain barrier integrity and microglial function, and the role of annexin A1 in neuroinflammatory resolution.

Education:

• BA (Natural Sciences), University of Cambridge
• MA (Natural Sciences), University of Cambridge
• PhD (Neuropharmacology), Imperial College London

Research Interests:

• Gut-brain axis interactions
• Microbiota-derived metabolites in neurodegeneration
• Blood-brain barrier integrity
• Pro-resolving mechanisms (annexin A1/Fpr2 system)
• Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

Teaching: Leads neuroscience, pathology, and pharmacology teaching for first-year dental students. Supervises over 50 BSc/iBSc and 30 MSc research projects since 2005 across Queen Mary and the University of Westminster.

Labs/Teams: Based in the Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine. Collaborates with Professors Rod Flower and Mauro Perretti (William Harvey Research Institute) and Dr Lesley Hoyles (University of Westminster).