Wendy Macfarlane

Wendy Macfarlane is Professor of Diabetes and Metabolism and Head of the Diabetes Research Group (DRG) at the University of Brighton, School of Applied Sciences. She is actively engaged in research, teaching, and public outreach, with a strong focus on translational diabetes science. Her work bridges laboratory innovation and clinical application, particularly in islet transplantation and metabolic health.

Her research interests center on the mechanisms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, with emphasis on developing novel therapeutic strategies. These include improving islet transplant protocols, creating 3D biomimetic models of insulin-producing cells, and designing lifestyle interventions for obesity and metabolic imbalance. She applies advanced 3D microgravity cell culture technologies to generate clinically reflective models of pancreatic islets, aiming to enhance cell replacement therapies for Type 1 diabetes.

The available articles highlight her dual expertise in diabetes and microbiology, particularly in pancreatic cell biology and antimicrobial resistance. Her recent work spans from developing 3D co-culture models of pancreatic cancer and islet cells to investigating biocide resistance in urinary pathogens, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to biomedical challenges.

Wendy Macfarlane holds a PhD from the University of Birmingham and maintains active external roles, including Scientific Advisor to the UK Islet Transplant Consortium and member of Diabetes UK grant review panels. She is also a STEM Ambassador and Athena SWAN Lead, demonstrating commitment to equity and public engagement in science.

She supervises multiple PhD students, with completed and ongoing projects on topics including continuous glucose monitoring, psychological aspects of diabetes self-care, and drug effects on beta-cell survival. Her research is supported by collaborative projects with clinical and industrial partners, including work sponsored by the 1851 Royal Commission Fellowship and the Niger Delta Development Commission.

She is actively involved in public outreach, notably through a BBC Inside Out programme on Type 1 diabetes therapies, and collaborates with patient groups, fitness centers, and healthcare providers to improve patient education and lifestyle interventions for metabolic diseases.