Biography

I completed my MSc in Medical Biology at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands in 2003 cum laude (first class). I then moved to the University of Oxford where I obtained my DPhil in 2007. I continued my post-doctoral research career at the University of Aberdeen, where I am currently Lecturer in Skeletal Regenerative Medicine. I am a member of the Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine team within the Aberdeen Centre for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Health (ACAMH).

Current Research

My current research interests are centered around synovial joint biology, with a particular focus on the roles of adult stem cells in joint maintenance, repair, and disease. We seek to enhance our understanding of the identity, ontogeny, regulation and functions of stem cells in the joint using approaches such as genetic cell lineage tracing and scRNA-seq. Our ultimate aim is to develop novel treatments that target endogenous stem cells to promote skeletal joint health and regeneration.

Please visit our Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine page to find out more about our team and the research that we do.

Teaching Responsibilities

Programme Coordinator

MSc in Molecular Medicine

Course Coordinator

MB5517 (Masters course: Genome-Enabled Medicine)

Other Contributions to Teaching

Undergraduate

SM1501 (The Cell) - Lectures on cell growth, cell death, cell differentiation, embryonic development, evolution of multicellular life, inheritance, and sexual reproduction.

MBChB Medicine year 1 (Student Selected Component) - Tutorials.

SM2001 (Foundation Skills for Medical Sciences) - Workshops.

BC4314 (Honours Biochemistry Option 2) - Lectures on stem cells, cancer and ageing.

Honours projects - Supervision of research projects.

Masters

MB5517 (Genome-Enabled Medicine) - Lectures and workshop on genome technologies for the study of stem cells.

BT5509 (Biologic Drug Discovery) - Lectures on biologics in rheumatology.

MB5526 (Genes and Immunity) - Lecture on stem cell transplantation.

Research projects - Supervision of research projects.