About

I began my research training at the University of Newcastle, obtaining a PhD in 2005 for my studies on juvenile arthritis before moving to Canada where I continued to work on juvenile rheumatic disease at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto. Returning to the UK, I expanded my research to investigate the relationship between inflammation and cancer, working in the Cancer Sciences Division at Southampton.

I moved to Queen Mary University of London in 2011, continuing to study inflammation in the musculoskeletal system, characterising a novel pathway with the potential to treat these diseases. I also maintained my work with Southampton, winning research funding to continue investigating pathways linking inflammation, extracellular matrix biology and the progression of colorectal cancer.

After supporting cell biology, musculoskeletal biology and bioengineering courses as a temporary lecturer, I moved to Sheffield Hallam in 2015 as a lecturer in biomedical sciences. My teaching responsibilities complement my research programme, with funding from Bowel & Cancer Research and continuing collaboration with Southampton and London to study inflammatory and biomechanical characteristics of colorectal cancer. I also continue my interest in musculoskeletal biology, working to identify novel anti-inflammatory and pro-reparative therapies.

Specialist areas of interest

Musculoskeletal disease
Colorectal cancer progression

Teaching

Courses

CBBM
PSP1
PSP2
Essentials of biosciences for nursing practice
Infection and Immunity

Research

My research interests are focused on the relationship between the extracellular matrix that provides structural support to cellular tissues, and the processes that contribute to disease. My particular focus is on mechanisms connecting inflammatory activation and tissue damage to the progression of cancer and musculoskeletal conditions.

Inflammation and tissue remodelling in colorectal cancer:

As disease progresses, cancers remodel their environment in order to invade and spread into surrounding tissues. Cancer cells are also highly responsive to their environment, making this interaction crucial in determining disease outcome. My work has identified that the enzyme Transglutaminase-2 is prominently expressed in the tissue surrounding colorectal tumours, and that it has pro-inflammatory and tissue remodeling functions. My current research is studying these roles in 3D cell culture models of colorectal cancer, and investigating whether novel technologies can be developed to modulate enzyme activity and therefore the progress of disease.

Protecting cartilage from inflammatory musculoskeletal disease:

My recent work has involved research into mechanisms connecting inflammation to cartilage breakdown in Osteoarthritis, and I have studied how this breakdown can be prevented by movement and the protective peptide, CNP. This has involved multiple approaches focused on promoting the beneficial effects of CNP, and include examining epigenetic regulation, investigating the impact of ageing on CNP function, and developing novel technologies for the delivery of CNP to sites where it could promote tissue repair. My current research is investigating ways to optimise these beneficial effects in musculoskeletal disease.

Collaborators and sponsors

Professor Gleb Sukhorukov, QMUL
Professor Martin Knight, QMUL
Mr Alex Mirnezami, Southampton University NHS Trust

Publications