Professor Nicola Woodroofe

Head of Biomedical Research Centre

Phone 0114 225 3065
E-mail N.Woodroofe@shu.ac.uk

Nicola initially started work at Sheffield Hallam as a senior lecturer in immunology in 1994. Prior to this she obtained both her BSc Biochemistry degree and PhD in biochemistry for the University of London (Chelsea College, now King's College, London). This was followed by a lengthy postdoctoral research period, firstly in the USA and then at the Institute of Neurology in London, researching initially muscular dystrophy and since 1983 her research has been focussed on understanding the mechanisms underlying multiple sclerosis. In 2005 Nicola's research record was recognised through her appointment as a professor of neuroimmunology at Sheffield Hallam University.

Nicola's main areas of teaching are related to her research interests, thus she teaches clinical immunology, neuroscience and research methods at MSc level as well as supervising final year BSc research projects.

Nicola is currently the head of the Biomedical Research Centre (BMRC) which has a thriving body of academic staff, postdoctoral research assistants and PhD students engaged in research relating to disease mechanisms, molecular microbiology, pharmacology and bioanlaytical science.

As head of the research centre, Nicola is responsible for compiling our research activity returns for the government's assessment of university research, the Research Excellence Framework (REF). There is also a commercial service in the BMRC offering contract research and consultancy, which is also managed by Nicola.

Nicola continues to pursue research into multiple sclerosis and her work is funded in part by the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society. She also collaborates closely with consultant neurologists at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the research on MS. Her research work has resulted in over 60 publications and more than 10 students have gained their doctoral degrees under her supervision. Her research team present their work at national and international research conferences.

Nicola is the chairperson of the Neuroimmunology affinity group of the British Society for Immunology and is a member of the organising committee of the European School of Neuroimmunology.

Dr Rosalind Wolstenholme

Senior lecturer in analytical science

Phone 0114 225 3020
E-mail R.Wolstenholme@shu.ac.uk

Rosalind obtained her PhD in 2005 in analytical forensic science and began teaching forensic science in 2004. She has been at Sheffield Hallam since 2008 teaching forensic science on undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

Her main areas of interest are in the analysis of forensic samples in the laboratory and how to interpret data produced but she also enjoys the crime scene simulation practicals.

Rosalind's current research interests are in the area of fingerprint chemistry. She and Dr Simona Francese have several projects underway looking at gaining chemical information from fingermarks recovered from crime scenes, in addition to the unique pattern. This chemical information can potentially be used to estimate the age of the fingermark or give information on the donor's lifestyle and health. We are using analytical techniques, primarily matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) and raman spectroscopy, to look at these issues and have published papers with results from both.

Rosalind is a member of the Forensic Science Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry. She is currently working with the Forensic Science Society to gain accreditation for the forensic courses in the bioscience department.

Dr Gail Haddock

Senior lecturer in biomedical sciences

Phone 0114 225 5550
E-mail G.Haddock@shu.ac.uk

Gail has been at Sheffield Hallam since 1989. She studied Chemistry at DeMontfort University, and then whilst at Sheffield Hallam obtained her PhD, titled 'The Functions of Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein in Rheumatoid |Arthritis'.

Gail then spent the following 5 years researching into the role of ADAMTS-1, 4 and -5 in central nervous system disease. She is currently module leader and tutor on, essentials of biology (year one) and biology of disease (year two).

Gail is also a supervisor on masters level laboratory projects as well as several PhD projects within the Biomedical Research department. These projects cover a wide range of interests all with connections to neurological conditions which is Gail's area of great interest.

Dr Bob Smith

Principal lecturer

Phone 225 3050
E-mail R.F.Smith@shu.ac.uk

Bob Smith is currently the professional lead for biological sciences in the bioscience department at Sheffield Hallam University. He is a fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science, a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a chartered chemist.

He began his career as a medical laboratory scientific officer in the Clinical Biochemistry Department at the City (formerly Dudley Road) Hospital in Birmingham. Following the City Hospital he spent some time working at the County laboratories in Dorchester before a move to the old Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford, where he was involved in developing the use of immunoassay techniques for the analysis of hormones. During this time he began collaborations with several research groups which subsequently led to his appointment as principal biochemist for the Sheikh Rashid Diabetes Unit, where he was responsible for the laboratories.

Following this he was appointed research and development manager in a team set up to develop the Diagnostic Products Corporation European Research Institute (DPC-ERI) laboratories. This group, a research section of DPC Los Angeles, was set up to research into the development of assays for the screening of drugs of abuse.

In 1990 he moved to Sheffield Polytechnic as senior lecturer in clinical biochemistry. In 1996 he was awarded a PhD for research work in diabetes. He continues to have a research interest in the analysis of abused drugs and was included in the Bioscience Department submission for the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

He has particular interests in the application of an evidence based approach to clinical biochemistry and in the development of an enterprising and entrepreneurial approach to study and work amongst his students.

He is a member of the Education and Training Committee of the Health Professions Council and the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Biomedical Science.

Dr Simona Francese

Lecturer in biomedical sciences

Phone 0114 225 6165
E-mail s.francese@shu.ac.uk

I hold a degree in chemistry, a PhD in chemical sciences, and a learning and teaching postgraduate diploma. I am currently a member of the Italian Chemistry Society (SCI) and the British Mass Spectrometry Society (BMSS). I joined Sheffield Hallam in 2008 where I am a lecturer in biomedical sciences

My specialist teaching area is in analytical chemistry. This is a subject which allows the development of laboratory and problem solving skills which are highly desirable in employment in a variety of scientific environments (laboratory hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, forensics, quality control and so on).

It is a very exciting science which offers students new challenges in learning and problem solving and allows you to develop as a professional. I am module leader of separation, detection and on line techniques within the MSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and I contribute to the teaching activities in other modules such as analytical chemistry, molecular analytical science, bioanalytical tutorials, toxicology, principles of disease diagnosis.

Research interests/activities
I am a chemist specialised in biomedical mass spectrometry (MS). MS is a powerful analytical technique that, over the years, has undergone tremendous technological improvements allowing its application to proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, DNA, drugs, and many other biological molecules.

This technique has given me the great opportunity to be involved in exciting research projects by developing MS methods to aid the elucidation of biological and biomedical problems involving proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and, xenobiotics.

Since 2005 I have been interested in a cutting edge technology named matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI MS_ imaging which allows molecular images of the distribution of biomolecules to be obtained directly from intact tissue sections. I am currently pursuing MALDI MSI method development in three main areas

• analysis of latent fingermarks and suspect identification (forensic area)
• biological response to honeybee venom (biotechnological area)
• biomarker discovery of tumorigenesis (biomedical area)

To date, my work has resulted in 24 peer reviewed publications, one book chapter and 40 presentations at national and international conferences, of which five were on invitation and two as keynote speaker.

Dr Maureen Douglass

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 3058
E-mail M.Douglass@shu.ac.uk

I am a senior lecturer of chemistry and course leader of the foundation year in biosciences. I also teach on the secondary education in science teaching training courses.

My aim and particular interest is to develop a love of learning and the wider higher education experience to students. It is very rewarding to see students increase in confidence as well as achieve academically.

Professor Malcolm Clench

Professor of Mass Spectrometry

Phone 0114 225 3054
E-mail M.R.Clench@shu.ac.uk

I am Professor of Mass Spectrometry within the biosciences department and a deputy director of the Biomedical Research Centre. I joined the University in 1990 as a senior lecturer in analytical science from VG Biotech Ltd where I was employed as a development scientist/project manager. I have been involved with mass spectrometry for over thirty years, first becoming interested when as a sandwich course student I was given the task of developing mass spectrometric methods for explosives analysis.

My teaching duties include teaching more general aspects of analytical science, toxicology as well as mass spectrometry. I am also an active researcher and currently supervise five PhD students working on a range of projects from studies in drug metabolism to determining pharmacodynamic responses to anti-cancer agents.

Dr Ben Abell

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 5240
E-mail B.Abell@shu.ac.uk

I teach in the general areas of molecular and cellular biology, with a particular interest in plant biology. Key modules are plant physiology, plant biotechnology, and cellular control processes, and I teach across the undergraduate and postgraduate programme, including lectures, workshops, and labs.

My fascination with plant biology started during my undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge, and continued to develop via PhD research at the University of Calgary (Canada). A further six years of postdoctoral research at the University of Manchester allowed me to advance my research skills and to tackle fundamental questions about how proteins are organised within cells.

I believe that it is important to integrate research into university teaching, and to achieve this I have designed modules to facilitate enquiry-based learning. This provides an active and effective way for students to deal with the vast quantities of information currently being generated in the biosciences. This learning style also develops skills valued by employers such as problem solving, teamwork, and communication.

Research interests/activities
I lead a research group in the Biomedical Research Centre, funded by external agencies such as the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Biochemical Society. Our common theme is investigating how proteins are delivered to their correct destination within cells, a universal process that can result in disease when it malfunctions.

To analyse protein locations we use techniques such as protein expression, cellular fractionation, and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Our work has generated publications in international science journals, and we present our work at international conferences. The research group also supports undergraduate students in their first experience of professional research, which is particularly valuable for progressing to postgraduate education.

As part of my research activities I am a member of the Biochemical Society and the American Society of Plant Biologists.

Dr Katherine Rawlinson

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 5240
E-mail K.Rawlinson@shu.ac.uk

After studying at Sheffield Hallam University for an undergraduate honours degree in biomedical sciences, I am now back at the University working as an academic member of staff.

My PhD entitled 'The effects of testosterone and calcium channel blockers on vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis' was obtained from the University of Sheffield, after which I completed a PGCE in post compulsory education and training at the University of Huddersfield. After working in the further education sector for a number of years I joined Sheffield Hallam in 2008 and am now a senior lecturer.

I currently teach across all levels of the biosciences degree programme, as well as at MSc level, with my main discipline area being human anatomy and physiology. I also teach into the nursing programme and act as module leader for the level 4 sciences module. My other responsibilities include being an academic tutor and industrial placement supervisor, as well as a visiting tutor to students out on work placement.

Myself and a colleague run a widening participation and outreach programme for biosciences which involves hosting events within the University, as well as running activities in local schools.

I am extremely interested in good practice within teaching and learning in HE and am involved in research in this area. Of particular interest to me is the transition process of students into higher education and making science accessible to students who have poor engagement.

Keith Miller

Senior lecturer in medical microbiology

Phone 0114 2253946
E-mail k.miller@shu.ac.uk

I was awarded my BSc in medical microbiology at University of Leeds in 2000, and completed a PhD in the role of bacterial hypermutators in the evolution of antimicrobial resistance at the University of Leeds in 2003. I remained at the University of Leeds as a postdoctoral research fellow specialising in antimicrobial research in the Division of Microbiology on grants funded by the Department of Health, Novartis and the Medical Research Council. I joined Sheffield Hallam as senior lecturer in medical microbiology in 2008.

My areas of expertise are medical microbiology and molecular biology specialising in antibiotics and clinical microbiology with a particular interest in healthcare associated infections.

I am a module leader for the masters level modules biology of infectious diseases and medical microbiology 1 and 2. I also teach on applied biomedical techniques, biomedical laboratory techniques, infection and immunity, systems pharmacology, medical microbiology critical review, research methods and research project.

I am a module leader for the undergraduate module medical microbiology and teach on the microbiology, cellular control processes, skills for science, professional studies, topics in human biology and research project undergraduate modules.

My main areas of research are in the development of novel antimicrobial agents, which includes the investigation of light-activated antibacterial metal alloy surface coatings, novel therapeutic agents from venoms and new antimicrobial wound dressings. I am also interested in the development of bacterial antibiotic-resistance and in particular whether the hospital environment results in the development of increased antibiotic resistance.

Dr Sarah Haywood-Small

Lecturer/postdoctoral researcher in cancer cell biology and immunology

Phone 0114 225 3043
E-mail s.haywood-small@shu.ac.uk

I was appointed to Sheffield Hallam in 2009 and have expertise within biomedical sciences, especially in areas related to cancer and immunology. My enthusiasm for biomedical research is evident from my teaching, in which I encourage learning through my own research experiences.

My teaching commitments involve preparing different modes of assessment and contributing to MSc Clinical Immunology and BSc (Hons) Pathological Sciences to directly reflect changes in research. I also enjoy supervising laboratory classes, holding tutorials and supervising innovative student research projects.

Research interests/activities
My principal research interests involve cellular interactions and immunoregulation; especially the importance in human disease. In the laboratory, I can be found isolating cells for functional studies or for multicoloured flow cytometry.

During my research career, I have generated in the region of £220,000 in external funding and published my research in peer-reviewed journals. I have presented data at both national and international conferences (Germany, France and USA) after receiving awards from the British Association for Cancer Research. As a result, I have established international collaborative projects which hope to combine tumour cell kill and antitumour immunity within a single paradigm.

Dr John Bright

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 5237
E-mail j.bright@shu.ac.uk

John has been working at Sheffield Hallam since 2005. After leaving school his first job was as a junior researcher on cereal crops at Rothamsted. This he enjoyed enormously and it motivated him to become a more senior researcher. Subsequently in 1982 he obtained a PhD from Warwick University entitled 'The physiological activity of attached bacteria'. A postdoctoral fellowship study on the germination of bacterial spores followed at the University of Leeds.

Teaching then became more of an interest with lectureships at Leeds Polytechnic, Bradford University and Manchester Metropolitan University. In 1991 he became very interested in active learning strategies whilst studying for a PGCE in science / biology at the University of Sheffield. Where possible, these strategies are used today in his teaching of microbiology to bioscience students and nurses at Sheffield Hallam.

John's main research interest since 1996 has been in the characterisation of cells by matrix assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI ToF MS). He was part of the research group at Manchester Metropolitan University that pioneered the use of MALDI ToF MS for the identification of bacteria. John worked in collaborations with the mass spectrometry company Micromass (Waters) and the Health Protection agency at Colindale on the commercialisation of the rapid identification of bacteria by 'bacterial mass-fingerprinting'. Other mass spectrometer manufacturers and companies have now also commercialised the method and it is just beginning to be used in hospital diagnostic microbiology laboratories where he predicts it will take over from the old biochemical methods of identifying bacteria.

Dr Kirsti Newton

Senior lecturer in molecular cell biology

Phone 0114 225 2972
E-mail K.Newton@shu.ac.uk

After studying biology with biochemistry at the University of Wales, I spent several years at the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research in a large multidisciplinary research group investigating bacterial protein toxins. My work was primarily focussed on Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin, also known as Botox.

I developed a particular interest in the therapeutic potential of naturally occurring toxins and the extensive pharmacological libraries contained within animal venoms and was lured to Sheffield Hallam by the prospect of a PhD studying the biochemistry of bee and scorpion venom toxins and a placement opportunity in the Department of Biochemistry at the National University of Singapore. After completing my PhD, I spent a brief period at the University of Sheffield before returning to Sheffield Hallam University (and to toxinology). I have been a lecturer in the Department of Biosciences at Sheffield Hallam since 2006.

As the module leader for the undergraduate research project, I strongly believe in the importance of developing good practical skills, providing experience of current and relevant techniques and that research and transferable professional skills should be nurtured together with academic knowledge.

Dr M Akram Khan

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 4451
E-mail M.A.Khan@shu.ac.uk

I am a course leader for the pharmaceutical sciences degree. I am an organic chemist and have taught chemistry at university level for over 30 years. After completing my PhD in organic synthesis I was offered a job by ICI but declined and chose to go to Kuwait in 1979 where I joined Kuwait University. I taught general and organic chemistry to chemistry undergraduates and medical students; the bulk of my teaching comprised of laboratory classes in which I gained an enormous amount of experience.

I joined Sheffield Hallam University in September 1990. I teach organic chemistry and organic spectroscopy to undergraduates and MSc students. When I teach organic chemistry I mostly speak from first-hand experience with evidence, as I have done most of the reactions that are discussed in organic textbooks and students find this approach easy to understand.

I absolutely love research and maintain an active interest in it which comprises of anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-malarial chemistry. I offer these researches to final year students and MSc students doing their research projects with me every year. I have supervised many research projects in addition to PhD and MPhil students and have publications in refereed international journals.

David Crowther

Senior lecturer in analytical and forensic science

I joined Sheffield Hallam in 1987, as a lecturer in chemistry. My degree in biochemistry and PhD in bioenergetics were from the University of Bristol, after which I spent four years in the USA at Brookhaven National Laboratory. After a brief spell at University College London I came to the University of Sheffield, where I stayed for four years. After 12 years of working on the molecular mechanisms of photosynthesis, teaching analytical chemistry was a change – though I discovered that I had been an analytical scientist all along without realising it!

I have enjoyed my time at Sheffield Hallam, combining research in industrial, forensic and clinical analysis with teaching and course development. I am interested in how we learn, and have been keen to introduce a hands-on approach to learning based on lab work.

My interest in science communication led to an enjoyable summer on the Observer as a science journalist. I have led the development of forensic science courses at Sheffield Hallam and teach forensic science and analytical science at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

I have published 36 papers and many abstracts on bioenergetics, sensors, spectroscopy, and chemical analysis in medicine. I hold one patent and have substantial consultancy experience.

I am an external examiner at other UK universities and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Forensic Science Society.

Dr Susan Laird

Head of department of biosciences

Phone 0114 225 3035
E-mail s.m.laird@shu.ac.uk

I was appointed as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam after completing a BSc in biochemistry at Edinburgh University and a PhD at London University. During my teaching career at Sheffield Hallam I have taught physiology, immunology and advanced cell biology. I have always been interested in curriculum development and have led the introduction of a number of new courses in the department.

In collaboration with clinicians at the Jessop Hospital for Women, I have developed a national and international reputation for research in female reproductive disorders and in particular the role of the endometrium in infertility and recurrent miscarriage.

I have published over 120 papers and abstracts and presented my work at national and international meetings. I have been invited to talk about my work at international meetings and I am an associate editor for an international journal. This research activity supports the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.

In my role as head of department I interact extensively with representatives from other organisations. I chair a pharmaceutical and biosciences sector forum at the University, which comprises representatives from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Dr Neil Cross

Senior lecturer in molecular and cellular biology

Phone 0114 225 4930
E-mail n.cross@shu.ac.uk

I obtained my first degree in biomedical chemistry at Sheffield Hallam in 1996, and completed a PhD at the University of Sheffield in 2002, investigating the genetic changes that occur in eye tumours. I then carried out research into prostate cancer and novel cancer therapies before joining Sheffield Hallam as a senior lecturer in molecular and cellular biology in 2008.

Teaching
I am the module leader and tutor for cell biology and pathological sciences.

I teach on the modules biology of disease, molecular biology, pharmaceutical basis of therapeutics and analytical science, and human genetics.

I also teach the masters level modules principles of disease diagnosis, applied disease diagnosis, human genetics, cell biology, molecular pharmacology and research methods.

As module leader of cell biology, I teach basic cellular functions, as well as some more advanced cell signalling pathways. In pathological sciences and biology of disease, I focus on how defects in normal cellular behaviour may lead to disease, and how these cellular defects may be exploited for diagnostic and therapeutic use.

In the masters level modules, I focus on methods of disease detection, primarily using new technologies, and how results obtained are used by clinical professionals as part of patient management. My areas of expertise are cell biology, genetics, bone biology and cancer, and offer research projects to final year and masters level students. Many of these projects involve growing tumour cells in the laboratory and testing the activity new chemotherapy or anti-tumour agents.

Research interests
I have research interests in

• Identifying novel anti-cancer agents and drug combinations, and testing these in the laboratory. These studies focus around a potentially therapeutic protein called TRAIL, which induces tumour cells undergo 'cellular suicide'.
• Investigating the role of cancer stem cells/tumour initiating cells in tumour development.
• Understanding why breast and prostate cancers preferentially spread from the initial tumour location to certain distant sites such as bone.
• I have a long-standing interest in the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, and am researching how this organism induces long-term 'persistent' infections in some individuals.

Recent publications
Kokab, A, Jennings, R, Eley, A, Pacey, AA, Cross, NA. (2010) Analysis of modulated gene expression in a model of Interferon-g-induced persistence of Chlamydia trachomatis in HEp-2 cells. Microbial Pathogenesis (In Press)

Guzmán-Ramírez, N, Völler M, Wetterwald A, Germann M. Cross, NA, Rentsch CA, Schalken J, Thalmann GN, Cecchini MG. (2009) In vitro propagation and characterization of cancer stem/progenitor-like cells from human prostate cancer tissue. The Prostate 69(15):1683-1693.

Dr Neil Bricklebank

Professional lead, analytical sciences

Phone 0114 225 4931
E-mail N.Bricklebank@shu.ac.uk

Neil is a chartered chemist and a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, External Examiner for the Northern Consortium (NCUK) and a member of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Peer Review College.

He obtained his BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). He then worked as a post-doctoral research assistant first at UMIST, and then at Durham University, where he studied the production of novel molecular magnetic and electronic materials based on sulfur radicals.

Neil joined Sheffield Hallam in 1995 and has developed his research interests in the areas of inorganic and materials chemistry, focussing on the synthesis and characterisation of phosphorus and sulfur compounds and their applications in nanotechnology and biological sciences.

He is also involved in knowledge-transfer activities and is working with Aquaculture, a Sheffield-based company, on horticultural nutrient solutions. He has authored over 40 research articles and two book chapters on these topics.

His teaching interests compliment his research and include inorganic, coordination and materials chemistry at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is also involved in the department's widening participation and outreach work and delivers chemistry-related talks and practical activities on for primary and secondary schools.

Dr Alison Cross

Senior lecturer in biomedical science

Phone 0114 225 4061
E-mail A.K.Cross@shu.ac.uk

Teaching
Module leader and tutor on essentials of biology and biology of disease.

Supervisor for masters level laboratory projects.

Principal research interests
Studies into the role of ADAMTS-1, 4 and -5 in central nervous system disease
The ADAMTSs (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin motifs), ADAMTS-1, -4, -5, belong to a group of metalloproteinase enzymes which possess proteoglycanase and anti-angiogenic activities. We are currently interested in the role of these proteases and changes in their substrate levels in the brain in multiple sclerosis.

Studies into the role of ADAMTS-13 in stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
Deficiency of ADAMTS-13, a circulating protease which cleaves Von Willebrand Factor, can lead to unwanted clotting. Our research interests involve studies into the control of expression of ADAMTS-13 in brain derived cells as well as measurement of the plasma levels in stroke/TIA patients.

The role of Citrullination of CNS proteins in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis.
Citrullination is the process of posttranslational modification of arginine residues which results in conformational changes of proteins. Our research is focussed on the expression of the enzymes involved in citrullination as well as the proteins citrullinated in multiple sclerosis.

Dr David Smith

Lecturer

Phone 0114 225 3044
E-mail D.P.Smith@shu.ac.uk

David joined Sheffield Hallam in 2010 as a lecturer in biochemistry and molecular biology.

He obtained his BSc in biochemistry from the University of Warwick in 1999 and his PhD for his work on the structural biology of an amyloid protein from the University of Leeds in 2003.

He then undertook postdoctoral research first at the University of Melbourne investigating the role of metal ions and amyloid-beta in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease, and then at The University of Leeds developing ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry to study protein folding and misfolding. He has published over 20 papers in these areas and his first author paper on protein conformation studied by mass spectrometry was presented with the Ronald A. Hites award for outstanding research publication by the American society for mass spectrometry.

His current research is focused on understanding how changes in the shape of proteins in the brain bring about a toxic effects resulting in the symptoms of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. To do this he is developing experimental and computational methods centred on ion-mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry to understand the shape and size of these molecular complexes.

Dr Alessandra Princivalle

Senior lecturer in pharmacology and neuroscience

Phone 0114 225 2925
E-mail A.P.Princivalle@shu.ac.uk

I joined Sheffield Hallam University in 2007 as a senior lecturer in pharmacology and neuroscience.

My BSc was in biochemical sciences, and my Italian PhD was in molecular biology from University of Milan titled 'Cloning of cDNA for human fibrinogen gamma-chain'. My English PhD was in pharmacology from University of Birmingham, Division of Neuroscience, Medical School. My PhD was entitled ‘Studies of GABAB receptors in epilepsy', which was about quantitative expression of these receptors subunits and isoforms in human subjects affected by, and animal model of epilepsy.

I continued postdoctoral research at Institute of Neurology in Milan and University of Birmingham remaining within my research interest and studied genes involved in neuronal circuits.

I also have a PGCE in Higher Education from the Sheffield Hallam and have previously taught at University of Milan and University of Birmingham.

At Sheffield Hallam I teach undergraduate years two and three and masters level. I am also module leader for pharmacological basis of therapeutics (year two), research methods (masters), and research and professional methods (masters). I am also the course leader for MSc Pharmacology.

Dr Rowena AD Bunning

Principal lecturer in cell biology

Phone 0114 225 3012
E-mail R.A.Bunning@shu.ac.uk

I came to Sheffield Hallam via research at the Strangeways Research Laboratory, Cambridge and later the Department of Human Metabolism and Clinical Biochemistry, University of Sheffield and a PGCE.

I have a keen interest in mammalian cells, their culture, what they can do as the fundamental components of mammalian tissues and organs and what happens when things go wrong.

During my time at Sheffield Hallam I have taught cell biology and immunology at all levels from HND to supervising PhD students and am a course leader. I also have a role as quality and learning, teaching and assessment (LTA) co-ordinator in the biosciences department, helping to ensure a quality student experience.

In addition to teaching I am involved in research, focussed on mechanisms of extracellular matrix (ECM) breakdown and repair with particular reference to the role of proteinases and cytokines. This is particularly relevant to cartilage breakdown in arthritis, remodelling of central nervous system ECM, as occurs in multiple sclerosis and tumour invasion and metastasis. I have over 45 publications in this area.

Professor Peter Strong

Phone 0114 225 4932
E-mail P.Strong@shu.ac.uk

Peter obtained a degree in chemistry at Bristol University before heading off to America, where he studied at the University of Oregon (obtaining a PhD in organic chemistry) and the University of California, when he was awarded a USA Muscular Dystrophy Association postdoctoral fellowship to study at the Medical School in San Francisco.

Returning to London, Peter worked first at University College (UCL) and then at Imperial College Medical School, with spells in Basel, Switzerland, as a visiting consultant for the pharmaceutical company, Sandoz, and at the National University of Singapore as a visiting professor. He moved to Sheffield Hallam as professor of biomedical sciences in 1998.

While in Oregon as an organic chemist, working on the synthesis of the puffer fish neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, Peter developed an interest in neuroscience and the toxins from venomous creatures, such as snakes, bees and scorpions.

He is particularly interested in ion channels and their role in signaling processes in the nervous system and the use of ion channel toxins as models for the design of new pharmaceutical drugs.

While at Imperial his research focused on muscular dystrophies, especially those resulting in ion channel abnormalities. Since arriving in Sheffield he has become interested in the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides that destroy membranes by forming ion channel pores.

At Sheffield Hallam, Peter teaches on a wide range of undergraduate and modules including pharmacology, biochemistry and neuroscience. He is also heavily involved in pharmacological and cell biology aspects of many MSc modules.

Peter is reviews editor for Toxicon, the official journal of the International Society of Toxinology, and is also a visiting senior fellow at the National University of Singapore.

He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, as well as a member of neuroscience, pharmacology and biochemical societies in the UK and the USA.

Many of the PhD students and postdoctoral fellows that Peter has mentored now hold positions in their own right as senior scientists in the pharmaceutical industry and the Medical Research Council (MRC), as well as university professors, both in the UK and abroad.

Dr Vikki Carolan

Senior lecturer in analytical science

Phone 0114 225 3040
E-mail V.A.Carolan@shu.ac.uk

I have been a lecturer in analytical science at Sheffield Hallam since 1995. Since then, I have tried to engage students in the study of 'what is it?' and 'how much is there?' as well as more advanced surface analytical applications. I have also been a course leader for HNC, HND and BSc courses.

I am now placement tutor for the bioscience courses and enjoy helping students to develop their employability.

I became interested in chemistry at secondary school, enjoying the opportunity to create bangs, flashes and puffs of smoke without getting into trouble! I continued this interest by studying chemistry with analytical chemistry at University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST, now part of the University of Manchester), followed by a PhD in surface analysis, investigating replacements for mercury in long-life batteries.

After six years in Manchester, I moved to Nottingham and then Bradford to carry out post doctoral research, applying my analytical skills to problems such as 'how can we use teeth to determine age at death'.

I have continued research into surface analysis and separation science at Sheffield Hallam University, and successfully supervised a number of PhD students.

I am still a chemist at heart, and am a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Local Section committee, which helps to promote chemical sciences in the region.

Dr Adrian Hall

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 4151
E-mail A.Hall@shu.ac.uk

I have worked at Sheffield Hallam University since 2001. I studied for a BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Sheffield and then for a PhD in molecular genetics at the University of Sheffield's Medical School. Following a period of post-doctoral research at Leiden University Hospital in the Netherlands, I returned to the University of Sheffield for a number of years to carry out research in collaboration with the Amsterdam Medical Centre.

My main academic interest, which is in transcriptional regulation, stems from a summer internship carried out during my degree course. During this time the elegance by which the expression of the human genome is controlled became evident to me. And this interest has only increased in light of the amazing discoveries made in this area in recent years.

Most of the research work I have carried out has been focussed on the human coagulation system. My other interests include the mechanisms of controlling gene expression in a number of other systems.

My main areas of teaching include molecular biology and molecular genetics, building on my interest in transcriptional control mechanisms. I have a keen interest in the development and enhancement of laboratory practice and teaching with regard to graduate employability.

Dr Christine Le Maitre

Senior lecturer in molecular and cellular biology

Phone 0114 225 6163
E-mail c.lemaitre@shu.ac.uk

I was awarded a 1st class honors degree in pharmacology with industrial or professional experience at Manchester University in 2000, and completed a PhD in pathogenesis of disc degeneration: IL-1 as a therapeutic target at the University of Manchester in 2003.

I remained in Manchester University as a Sir Henry Royce postdoctoral research associate in the Division of Regenerative Medicine.

I joined Sheffield Hallam as senior lecturer in molecular and cellular biology in 2008.

Teaching
I am a module leader for the masters level modules principles of disease diagnosis, applied disease diagnosis, and haematology 1 and 2. I also teach on cell biology critical review, research methods and research project.

I am a module tutor for the undergraduate modules topics in human biology, cell biology, pathological sciences, dissertation and research project.

My areas of expertise are cell and molecular biology, musculoskeletal disorders, leukaemia and laboratory techniques. I offer research projects to final year and Masters level students in the areas linked to my research interests.

Research interests

Intervertebral disc degeneration
Low back pain is a major problem to the community. However the current therapies are purely symptomatic or involve surgery which does not address the initial causes of low back pain. I am interested in improving the understanding of the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration with the aim to develop new therapeutic approaches targeted at the abnormal cell biology which results in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Nutraceutical's in the prevention and treatment of cancer
I have recently become interested in investigating the biological effects on cancer and non-tumour cells of a number of nutraceutical compounds which have been suggested as possible therapeutic alternatives for cancer prevention and treatment.

Recent publications
Le Maitre CL, Freemont AJ, Hoyland JA (2009). Expression of Cartilage Derived Morphogenetic Protein In Human Intervertebral Discs And Its Effect On Matrix Synthesis In Degenerate Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells. Arthritis Research and Therapy. 11(5):R137.

Le Maitre CL, Fotheringham AP, Freemont AJ, Hoyland JA (2009). Development of an in vitro model to test the efficacy of novel therapies for IVD degeneration. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 3(6):461-9.

Dr Kim Lawson

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 3057
E-mail K.Lawson@shu.ac.uk

Dr Kim Lawson has been lecturing at Sheffield Hallam since 1995. Having obtained a BTech degree in pharmacology and a PhD in pharmacology, Kim worked within the pharmaceutical industry Rhone-Poulenc Sante (France), Recherche Syntex France, Sanofi-Labaz (Belgium), Reckitt and Colman (UK) and British Biotechnology (UK) in drug discovery and development.

He has gained an international reputation in drug discovery research, with a focus towards his two main research interests of the pharmacology of potassium channels and of the identification of treatments of fibromyalgia. His contribution within these areas is reflected by regularly invitations as a consultant to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries and affiliated organizations, to talk at public events and scientific conferences and to write 'expert opinion' articles for scientific and clinical journals.

Further, he is a member of advisory boards to the charity organisations Fibromyalgia Association UK and FibroAction, and a member of the scientific advisory board of the International Centre for research and study in Biomedicine (Luxembourg). Kim has also regularly contributed to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fibromyalgia at Westminster.

Kim's teaching interests are directed towards pharmacology. He has also recently attended the International Entrepreneurship Educators Programme (NCGE) and is involved in the development and teaching of enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Dr Ian Spencer

Principal lecturer in biochemistry

Phone 0114 225 3014
E-mail I.M.Spencer@shu.ac.uk

I am principal lecturer in biochemistry and a member of the Biochemical Society.

I graduated from the University of Reading in physiology and biochemistry followed by a PhD in Birmingham investigating the hormonal control of flight metabolism in insects. I moved back to studying mammals at the University of Leeds on a Medical Research funded study into blood lipid metabolism. From there I came to Sheffield as a lecturer at what is now Sheffield Hallam University.

My current teaching mainly focuses on metabolism and its regulation and enzyme kinetics. Research interests over the years have ranged from insect and fungal metabolism to the role of carbonic anhydrase in cancer. Recent student projects I have supervised have looked at effect of inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase and other drugs on the growth of cancer cells in tissue culture. Others have been concerned with analysis of foods for fatty acid composition and salt content in relation to health.

Dr Dawn Hadden

Senior lecturer in biochemistry

Phone 0114 225 3038
E-mail D.Hadden@shu.ac.uk

I joined Sheffield Hallam in 2005 as a lecturer in biochemistry. My degree was in biochemical sciences from Salford University and my PhD was from Leeds University School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

I teach at every level on the bioscience courses. I am also the admissions tutor for undergraduate courses. It is extremely rewarding to help students choose the right course and then watch them develop their skills during their studies.

I also have a PGCE in Secondary Education from the University of Leeds and have previously taught in some local schools and colleges. Good educational practice is something I continue to have an interest in. Currently I am involved in research examining the transition from school to university and looking at ways students can be supported through this.

My PhD was entitled The molecular mechanisms of nucleoside transporters, which is about how the structure of this group of membrane proteins relates to their function. I continued postdoctoral research at Leeds University remaining within my research interest and studied the structure and function of a variety of membrane proteins.

Dr Nicola Jordan-Mahy

Course leader for BSc (Hons) Human Biology and BSc (Hons) Biochemistry

Phone 0114 225 3120
E-mail N.Jordan-Mahy@shu.ac.uk

Nicola has worked at Sheffield Hallam for 10 years. She studied physiology and zoology at Royal Holloway and Bedford New College - London University and obtained her PhD from Cambridge University. She continued her research into nutrition and gut pathology at a post-doctoral level at Cambridge, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Bradford universities before coming to Sheffield Hallam.

She continues this research in the Biomedical Research Centre with a focus on cancer and nutriceutical, and you may have caught sight of her on national and local news, television and radio taking about the research in to leukaemia.

Nicola is responsible for the undergraduate physiological modules first year human physiology and anatomy, second year control physiology and forensic pathology. She also teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate modules in her specialist areas.

She is currently the chair of the Research Ethics Review group in the Department of Biosciences and a member of the Faculty and University Research Ethics Committees.

Dr Anne-Marie Harrison

Senior lecturer

Phone 0114 225 3080
E-mail Anne-Marie.Harrison@shu.ac.uk

I have been employed at Sheffield Hallam University since 2003. I am the course leader of the BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences degree and teach on a range of topics including clinical biochemistry, haematology, biochemistry analytical science, pharmacology and bioinformatics. These are all topics which reflect the areas I have worked in during my career.

I graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in chemistry and returned there to study for a PhD in chemistry. This was based around studying drug interactions with DNA using computational methods. This stimulated my interest in the relationships between molecular structure and function, which remains a key interest for me today.

Following my first degree I was employed as a biomedical scientist in chemical pathology at Sheffield Children's Hospital, during which I gained an MSc in Pathological Sciences. The work here ranged from general routine investigations to more specialised tests for inherited disorders of metabolism, for which the Sheffield laboratory was a centre. A significant part of this role involved taking blood samples from patients and this brought a new dimension to the job, reminding us that there was an individual whom you had met waiting for their result and also emphasizing the role of biomedical science in everyday lives.

I am a member of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and the Biochemical Society.