What is your background in Life Sciences?

I did an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford and really enjoyed my final year undergraduate research project, which was investigating the changes that occur in cell signaling pathways in cancer cells.  

During my studies, I took a vacation studentship with the Wellcome Trust. I loved working in a laboratory and I wanted to continue research, so I went on to do a PhD. My PhD focused on investigating the role of a family of enzymes known as kinases called “protein kinase C” on the regulation of platelet function and thrombosis. I have stayed in the field of platelet and thrombosis research ever since. 

Tell us about your previous and current roles 

Following my PhD, I took up a Postdoctoral Research Associate Position at the University of Oxford and followed that with another Postdoctoral Research Associate position at the University of Reading. I love academic research and working in a research laboratory. 

During this time, I published several articles investigating platelet-signaling pathways and the components that contribute to the regulation of platelet signaling and function. I had the opportunity to be involved in a large population study investigating the variation in platelet activity in the healthy population to see if we could identify early biomarkers that might predispose people to cardiovascular disease and thrombosis. I also took a teaching course and started my journey to become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

In 2019, I joined Manchester Met as an independent research and Lecturer in Haematology. My research focuses on investigating the potential for repurposing drugs as antithrombotics and is funded by the British Heart Foundation. I teach and lead undergraduate and postgraduate units in Biomedical Sciences and also supervise postgraduate students doing research degrees.  

What do you enjoy about your current role? 

The research and exploring up-to-date concepts and ideas through research-based teaching. I also enjoy working with students on their research projects, developing their ideas and coming up with new research questions.  

What are your greatest achievements so far?  

Receiving significant research funding from the British Heart Foundation to support my research and been recognized as one of the top female platelet researchers by the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.  

Why you feel diversity in the Life Sciences industry is important?  

Life Sciences needs a diverse workforce. People think in different ways and approach problems in different ways, so diversity encourages scientific excellence through fostering different perspectives. In turn, new perspectives lead to innovation and ultimately lead to better science.

What are your plans for the future? 

I hope to build my research group through successful grant applications and by recruiting PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to the Thrombosis and Cardiovascular Research Groups at the University.

I’ll also support undergraduate and postgraduate students with research projects and hopefully give them the positive experiences that I had in education and encourage them to consider careers in Life Sciences and research.

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