Deborah Frances Smith is a Professor affiliated with the Centre for Immunology and Infection. She has held former roles including Head Of Department, Biology Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, and Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor in the Vice Chancellor's Office. She is also associated with CNAP (Cancer and Neuroscience Academic Programme) and the Jack Birch Unit. Her research focuses on leishmaniasis, parasite biology, and drug/vaccine development. Key projects include leading the 'C2D2 research 1a & 2b' (2012–2012) to establish sandfly colonies for leishmaniasis studies and co-investigating an integrated crystallization facility (2013–2018). She secured the Wolfson Research merit Award (2009–2010) from the Royal Society. Her work spans academic leadership, collaborative research, and translational medicine targeting neglected tropical diseases.
Dr. Gabriel Rinaldi is an Associate Professor in Molecular Parasitology at the University of Oxford's Department of Biology and a Tutorial Fellow in Biology at Christ Church College. He transitioned from medical practice in Uruguay to academic research, completing a Master's and PhD in Molecular Parasitology. His career includes postdoctoral work at George Washington University and a Senior Staff Scientist role at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. In 2022, he secured a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to establish a research program at Aberystwyth University before moving to Oxford in 2024. Education: Medical Doctor (Uruguay) Master's in Science PhD in Molecular Parasitology Research Focus: Investigates fundamental biology of parasitic worms, particularly Schistosoma species causing schistosomiasis. Priorities include understanding host-parasite interactions, drug resistance mechanisms, and sexual dimorphism in schistosomes to develop novel therapeutic strategies. His work addresses global health challenges posed by neglected tropical diseases. Awards & Recognition: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (2022) Research Programs: Leads initiatives in parasite functional genomics and drug discovery, supported by his fellowship. Collaborates on projects to identify vulnerabilities in parasite development and reproduction. Labs/Teams: Oversees research at the Department of Biology, building on platforms established at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Aberystwyth University.
Professor Eric Morgan at Queen's University Belfast leads parasitology research in the School of Biological Sciences , focusing on climate-driven epidemiology of parasitic infections in animals. His work integrates predictive modeling, parasite transmission dynamics at the wild-domestic interface, and sustainable livestock health solutions. Veterinary parasitology and climate change impact Anthelmintic resistance mitigation strategies AI-enhanced diagnostic systems for animal health Current research students include Anthony George, who investigates Combining alternative approaches for helminth control in grazing livestock . Public engagement initiatives like the BUG Consortium and Poo Patrol translate findings into practical parasite management. His recent publications in 2025 address topics like flood reactors, zoonotic toxocariasis, and precision agriculture tools for parasite risk assessment.
Professor Patrick Steel is a faculty member at Durham University in the Department of Chemistry . His work spans Synthetic Organic Chemistry , Organosilicon Chemistry , and Chemical Biology , with applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and parasitic disease treatment. Research Highlights: Developing C-H borylation methods for pharmaceutical intermediates Exploring silene cycloadditions for alkene functionalization Designing small molecule probes for plant and parasite biology Collaborating with Todd Marder (Würzburg) and others in synthetic biology Key Collaborations: Partnerships with pharmaceutical companies (GSK, Pfizer) and academic teams focus on novel antileishmanial compounds and herbicide resistance mechanisms . His group's organosilicon work intersects with collaborations on stereoselective synthesis and natural product analogs . Recent Publications (2025-2021) demonstrate expertise in transition metal catalysis , chemical probe development , and neglected disease research . The 2023 Leishmania proteomics and 2022 miltefosine studies show translational impact.
Andy White is a Professor in the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, specializing in mathematical biology. He holds dual roles in the Mathematics Department and the broader interdisciplinary research environment. His research focuses on developing mathematical models to address ecological and evolutionary questions, particularly in host-parasite dynamics and infectious disease management. He has held academic positions since 1999, progressing from a Lecturer to Professor by 2013. Education: PhD from University of Liverpool (1996), supervised by Professors Mike Begon and Roger Bowers. Early career included climate change research at NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (1996–1999). Research Interests: Mathematical modeling of biological systems, including adaptive dynamics in host-parasite interactions, population dynamics of ecological systems, and disease transmission mechanisms. Key projects include analyzing the UK grey squirrel invasion and tuberculosis/African swine fever spread. Collaborations span institutions like UC Berkeley and the Institute of Game and Wildlife Research, Spain. Recent Article Trends: Focus on pathogen-mediated invasions, virulence evolution in multispecies contexts, hyperparasite dynamics, and the ecological impacts of predator recovery (e.g., pine marten effects on squirrel populations). These studies combine theoretical models with real-world conservation applications. Grants & Collaborations: Engages in interdisciplinary projects addressing global challenges like biodiversity conservation and disease management. Active in collaborations across Europe and North America. Labs/Teams: Leads research groups focused on mathematical ecology and epidemiology, with contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land and good health.
Professor Matthew James Keeling is a distinguished academic at the University of Warwick, where he serves as Director of the Zeeman Institute for Systems Biology & Infectious Disease Epidemiology Research (SBIDER). He holds a professorship in the Department of Mathematics within the School of Science, specializing in mathematical modeling of infectious disease dynamics. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical public health applications, making significant contributions to epidemic prediction and control strategies. Professor Keeling's educational background includes a B.A. in Mathematics (1991), Master in Mathematics (1992), and PhD in Mathematical Modelling (1995). His career progression at Warwick shows steady advancement from Lecturer (2002) to Reader (2005) and finally to Professor (2007), supported by prestigious fellowships including the Royal Society University Research Fellowship (1998-2006) and Wellcome Trust Fellowship (1995-1998). His research focuses on mathematical models for infectious disease transmission, with particular expertise in network-based approaches to understanding how diseases spread through populations. Keeling has applied his modeling expertise to numerous outbreaks including the 2001 Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak, 2009 Swine flu pandemic, and most notably the COVID-19 pandemic. His work spans both human and animal diseases, covering pathogens such as influenza, measles, HPV, and various livestock infections. Analysis of Professor Keeling's publications reveals a strong emphasis on network theory applied to epidemiology, with significant contributions to understanding cattle movement networks, human social contact patterns, and spatial disease dynamics. His work consistently bridges theoretical mathematics with practical disease control applications, demonstrating how mathematical models can inform real-world policy decisions regarding vaccination strategies and outbreak control measures. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Royal Society University Research Fellowship (1998-2006) Wellcome Trust Fellowship (1995-1998) Professor Keeling has been actively involved in advising government agencies during major disease outbreaks, including providing critical modeling input during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work on HPV vaccination cost-effectiveness directly influenced policy decisions regarding gender-neutral vaccination programs. He maintains an active research group focused on developing novel mathematical approaches to infectious disease modeling, with particular interest in household transmission dynamics and the impact of network structure on disease spread. The Zeeman Institute (SBIDER), which he directs, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research connecting mathematical sciences with biological and medical applications.
Professor David Macdonald CBE, FRSE is a leading academic in wildlife conservation, currently serving as the Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Oxford and founding director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU). He holds a visiting professorship at Imperial College and chairs key committees including the Darwin Advisory Committee and Natural England’s Science Advisory Committee. His research integrates behavioral ecology with interdisciplinary approaches, addressing human-wildlife conflict through ecological, economic, and social science lenses. Notable areas include carnivore conservation (e.g., lions, tigers, and Ethiopian wolves) and the impacts of resource distribution on social structures. Awards include the CBE and FRSE. His work emphasizes policy-relevant science, leveraging long-term datasets and innovative tools like CARACAL acoustic monitoring. He advises on global conservation strategies, including responses to illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. Education details are not explicitly stated, but his academic trajectory reflects advanced training in biological sciences. Research interests span from felid behavior to the socio-economic dimensions of conservation. Key collaborators include Earthwatch and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Students include Adjany Costa (Graduate Student). His contributions extend to policy via roles in advisory boards and advocacy for evidence-based conservation.
Steven Sinkins is Professor in Microbiology and Tropical Medicine at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. His research focuses on controlling mosquito-borne diseases through innovative biological approaches. He directs the ANTI-VeC international research network and leads a team investigating microbial solutions to vector-borne pathogens. Research interests center on: Wolbachia symbionts for arbovirus control Microsporidian malaria-blocking symbionts in Anopheles mosquitoes Field implementation of biocontrol strategies against dengue and Zika viruses Molecular mechanisms of pathogen blocking in mosquito vectors Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on: Wolbachia-mediated viral inhibition mechanisms Field trials of novel vector control methods Genetic and symbiotic approaches to disease prevention Mosquito-symbiont-pathogen tripartite interactions Scientific recognition includes: Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship (2006-2021) Leads multiple research grants: Wellcome Trust: Optimal implementation of Wolbachia programmes (2022-2027) Open Philanthropy: Microsporidia symbionts for malaria control (2020-2023) BBSRC: Genetic and symbiotic disease control strategies (2017-2020) Directs the Sinkins Group at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, collaborating internationally with partners in Malaysia, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Australia to develop and implement novel vector control solutions.
Prof Anindita Ghosh is a Professor of Modern Indian History at the University of Manchester's Department of History. She holds a doctoral degree from the University of Cambridge and has been affiliated with Manchester since 1999, serving as a Simon Fellow and lecturer before her current role. Her research focuses on power dynamics, culture, and resistance in colonial South Asia, particularly Bengal. She has authored influential monographs such as Power in Print (2006) and Claiming the City (2016), exploring print culture, urban history, and gender studies. Ghosh has supervised nine PhD students and secured major grants, including a British Academy award. She chairs the British Association for South Asian Studies (BASAS) and contributes to public discourse through media appearances and academic events. Educated in India and Cambridge, her work bridges colonial and postcolonial studies, examining topics like women’s resistance, Calcutta’s material cultures, and revolutionary movements. She actively engages with interdisciplinary projects, such as the Global Urban History Project, and organizes public lectures on Bengali cultural heritage. Her research outputs span monographs, edited volumes, and peer-reviewed articles on colonial urbanism, print culture, and gender. While her articles encompass diverse themes—from bioremediation to nuclear chemistry—they reflect her broader engagement with interdisciplinary methodologies. Ghosh’s academic leadership includes mentoring early-career scholars and fostering collaborations across disciplines. Her advocacy for marginalized urban communities and historical preservation underscores her commitment to bridging academic research with public impact.
Dr. Paul Reynolds is a Lecturer in the Cellular Medicine Division within the School of Medicine at the University of St Andrews. He is affiliated with the Sir James Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis, Centre for Biophotonics, and Biomedical Sciences Research Complex. His research focuses on systems pathology and cancer, with particular emphasis on molecular changes driving disease processes. Dr. Reynolds' research interests span two primary areas: stromal factors in cancer resistance and factors in placental invasion. His work explores how the tumor microenvironment influences cancer progression and therapy resistance, with specific focus on a novel type I membrane protein expressed on stromal fibroblasts. He also investigates similar invasion mechanisms in placental development, examining how trophoblast cells interact with maternal immune cells during pregnancy. His research employs biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology approaches to understand disease mechanisms. His publication record shows strong focus on kidney disease mechanisms, particularly podocyte function in health and disease, as well as cancer resistance mechanisms in renal cell carcinoma. Recent work has utilized CRISPR/Cas9 screening approaches to identify factors modulating drug sensitivity. His research demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between cancer biology and reproductive biology through shared invasion mechanisms. Dr. Reynolds actively supervises postgraduate research students, with several thesis projects completed under his supervision. He serves as an external examiner for PhD students at the University of Dundee and holds editorial positions with journals including Frontiers in Physiology and Cancers. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health and wellbeing, particularly through research on cancer diagnostics and treatment resistance. Dr. Reynolds maintains active research collaborations as evidenced by his extensive publication record and research projects funded by organizations including the Wellcome Trust.
Edel Hyland is a Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at Queen's University Belfast's School of Biological Sciences, affiliated with the Institute for Global Food Security since 2015. Her research examines how genome architecture influences environmental adaptation through chromatin dynamics, utilizing yeast pathogens from the Saccharomycotina subphylum with active PhD recruitment in antifungal resistance. Her academic training includes a BSc in Biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin (1996-2000), PhD under Prof. Jef Boeke at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2002-2008), and postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School (2001-2002), Harvard University (2009-2014), and Dublin City University (2014-2015). Research centers on chromatin-based gene regulation mechanisms across evolutionary timescales, specifically investigating: experimental evolution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae histone variants, CRISPR-Cas9 reverse genetics in Candida glabrata virulence, and comparative epigenomics of histone marks in fungal pathogens. This work directly addresses antifungal resistance and phenotypic plasticity in human-infecting yeasts. Recent publications (2019-2023) reveal strong interdisciplinary trends combining medical mycology with evolutionary genomics, particularly in Candida drug resistance mechanisms. Parallel work extends to malaria pathogenesis (Plasmodium transporters) and innate immune evolution, consistently applying chromatin analysis to pathogen adaptation challenges. She holds the Charles A. King Postdoctoral Fellowship award and serves as Co-Investigator on two major research projects: IMMACULATE: Improving Mass Spectrometry Sustainability in Food, Environmental, and Health Research (2023-present) Phosphorus from wastewater: Novel technologies for advanced treatment and re-use (2014-present) Hyland coordinates undergraduate Experimental Biochemistry (BIO2102) and MSc Protein Structure & Function (BBC8039) modules while actively supervising PhD students. Her laboratory focuses on yeast epigenetics within the Institute for Global Food Security, maintaining international collaborations evidenced by co-author networks spanning the USA, Ireland, and UK, and participates in science outreach including the Northern Ireland Science Festival.
Chris Spencer is a Wellcome Trust Career Development Fellow at the Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford. His research focuses on statistical genetics, with emphasis on African population genetics, malaria susceptibility (via the MalariaGEN consortium), and stratified medicine applications in hepatitis C (STOP-HCV consortium). He develops methodologies to analyze genetic determinants of host-parasite interactions and their role in disease prevention and treatment. His work explores infectious disease impacts on human immune physiology through natural selection, aiming to translate genetic insights into clinical strategies. Recent studies include structural variation in malaria resistance genes and polymorphisms linked to pneumococcal bacteremia in Kenyan children. His computational tools, such as FINEMAP, advance variable selection in genome-wide association studies. Publications span malaria genetics, viral resistance, and population admixture, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to genomic medicine. Collaborations with global consortia highlight his commitment to addressing global health challenges through genetics.
Dr Michael Boemo is an Assistant Professor at the University of Cambridge, holding dual appointments in the Department of Pathology and Department of Genetics. He leads research at the intersection of computational biology, DNA replication, and cancer genomics, developing machine learning tools to analyze replication stress and genomic instability. Academic Background: BA in Mathematics (Rutgers University), PhD in Physics (University of Oxford) Research Focus: Genomic instability in cancer, DNA replication/repair defects, computational modeling using machine learning and high-performance simulations Teaching: Lectures in Natural Sciences Tripos (mathematical biology, genetics, systems biology), module organizer for cancer biology and biological modeling His research group leverages nanopore sequencing and AI to map replication fork dynamics, revealing how stalled forks generate mutations in cancer cells and pathogens. Recent work examines extrachromosomal DNA replication vulnerabilities and transcription-replication conflicts. Dr Boemo collaborates across computational biology and cancer research domains, with publications spanning journals like Nature Methods, Cell, and PLoS Computational Biology. His lab develops tools such as DNAscent for replication fork analysis and explores therapeutic targeting of replication stress.
John Anthony (Tony) Byrne is Professor of Photocatalysis and Research Director in the School of Engineering at Ulster University. He leads the Clean Technology research theme within the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC) and heads the Photocatalysis Research team. Byrne earned his 1st class honors degree in biology and chemistry at Ulster University, followed by a DPhil in chemistry under Dr. Brian Eggins. Appointed as a lecturer in the School of Engineering in 2005, he was rapidly promoted and made Professor in 2012. Professor Byrne's research focuses on photocatalytic nanomaterials for environmental remediation and renewable energy applications, with particular emphasis on metal oxides. His work significantly contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially in clean water and sanitation. He has developed expertise in titanium dioxide-based photocatalysis, water disinfection technologies, and nanomaterial fabrication and characterization. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward practical water treatment applications, particularly in household and rural settings. The research spans photocatalytic, photoelectrocatalytic, and UVC-based disinfection methods, with increasing focus on contaminants of emerging concern and waterborne pathogens in diverse water matrices. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry Byrne serves on multiple professional committees including the RSC Northern Ireland Section Committee, the Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Interest Group, and chairs the Professional Bodies Forum supporting the All Party Group on Science and Technology in the NI Assembly. He is a founding Board Member of the Northern Ireland Science Festival. His research portfolio includes numerous projects such as SAFEWATER POC, funded by Invest Northern Ireland, focusing on commercializing water treatment technologies. Professor Byrne leads the Photocatalysis Research team at Ulster within the Nanotechnology and Integrated BioEngineering Centre (NIBEC), where he directs the Clean Technology research theme. His laboratory work focuses on developing and testing photocatalytic nanomaterials for water treatment applications, with strong emphasis on practical implementation in real-world settings.
Dr. Heather Campbell is a Senior Lecturer in Entomology at Harper Adams University's Agriculture and Environment Department. Her research focuses on insect biodiversity conservation, community ecology, and social insects, particularly in arid ecosystems of southern Africa. She employs citizen science and explores insect-plant interactions to address ecological challenges. Professional affiliations include Fellowship of the Royal Entomological Society and membership in the British Ecological Society. Education includes a PhD, MSc, and BSc (Hons) in relevant fields. Key research interests span ant ecology, biopesticide development, and sustainable pest control strategies in agricultural systems. Recent work emphasizes integrating citizen science for biodiversity mapping and leveraging technology in ecological research education. Publications highlight innovative approaches to pest control, ant behavior studies, and global entomology priorities. Her work bridges academic research and practical applications, such as developing lure-and-kill systems for thrips and advancing biopesticide solutions for crop pests. Ongoing projects include exploring the impacts of climate change on insect communities in arid regions. Dr. Campbell actively advises on entomology education and outreach, contributing to public understanding of insect conservation through visual guides and media engagement. She leads the Entomology Group at Harper Adams University, fostering collaborative research networks across Africa and the UK.
