BSc(Hons) Biochemistry (2002), PhD Molecular Biology (2005), PGCert in Higher Education (2011), Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2015)
Dean for Employability and Entrepreneurship, Personal Chair
- About
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- Email Address
- j.barrow@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 437493
- School/Department
- Senior Vice Principals
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- 2021-Present: Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- 2020-Present: Dean for Employability & Entrepreneurship
- 2015-2021: Senior Lecturer (Scholarship) University of Aberdeen
- 2013-2015: Senior Teaching Fellow University of Aberdeen
- 2009-2013: Teaching Fellow University of Aberdeen
- 2005-2009: Postdoctoral research scientist University of Aberdeen
Qualifications
- PgCert Higher Education2011 - University of Aberdeen
- PhD Molecular Biology2005 - University of Aberdeen
- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry2002 - University of Aberdeen
External Memberships
Reviewer for:
- Oxford University Press
- W.H. Freeman textbooks
- Wiley-Blackwell textbooks
- Journal of Molecular Endocrinology
PhD External Examiner for:
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- National University of Sciences & Technology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
- Research
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Research Overview
I still maintain an interest in my research background of gene regulation, particularly linked to the pancreas and development of the islets of Langerhans, but most of my research is now centered on developing innovative ways of delivering biochemistry and molecular biology teaching to students.
My focus and interests now reside in teaching biochemistry and molecular biology, with specific interests in:
- gamification
- molecular visualisation
- augmented and virtual reality
- digital technology in education
- laboratory class teaching
Research Areas
Accepting PhDs
I am currently accepting PhDs in Education, Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition and Health.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your research ideas further.
Education
Accepting PhDsBiomedical Sciences
Accepting PhDsNutrition and Health
Accepting PhDsResearch Specialisms
- Higher Education Teaching
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Biomolecular Science
- Visual Communication
Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
Current Research
Currently, I am involved in collaborative projects to deliver augmented and virtual reality visualisation of molecular processes, and science communication activities through Minecraft and gamification.
Click on this link for a news story highlighting some of my educational research using augmented reality and this link for a news story on the use of Minecraft.
There are also YouTube videos here showing how we have used Minecraft to teach students about diabetes.
Collaborations
Dr Will Hurst (Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands)
Prof March Lorch (University of Hull, UK)
Dr Laura Hobbs (University of the West of England Bristol, UK)
Funding and Grants
Current grants:
MINE-ABDN: A PROJECT TO CREATE A VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
Barrow, J.
£4,980, University of Aberdeen Development TrustEXPLORING THE MOLECULAR BASIS OF DIABETES WITH MINECRAFT
Hobbs, L., Stevens, C., Hartley, J., Bentley, S., Barrow, J., Lorch, M.
£1,776, Royal Society of Chemistry’s Outreach FundAUGMENTED CELL BIOLOGY
Barrow, J.
£9,900, The Physiological Society David Jordan Teacing AwardSTUDENT TRANSITIONS: THE ROLE OF STUDENT SUPPORT STRUCTURES
Poobalan, A. S., Cleland, J., Foster, K. & Barrow, J.
£1,200, University of Aberdeen Learning and Teaching FundTHE ROLE OF STUDENT SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN STUDENT TRANSITIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Poobalan, A. S., Barrow, J., Foster, K. & Cleland, J.
£1,500, University of Aberdeen Medical Education FundingPrevious grants:
CELLSPLORERS - AN OUTREACH GRANT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT
Barrow, J.
£1,000, Biochemical SocietyKOSTERLITZ FUND – DEVELOPING ILPR-BINDING LIGANDS
Barrow, J.
£15,000, University of Aberdeen Development TrustDEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING THE CURRICULUM: SUPPORTING STUDENT RETENTION AND PROGRESSION
Barrow, J., Tucker, S. J., Rizea, M., McEwan, G. T. A., Jenkinson, A. M. & Shewan, D.
£1,200, University of Aberdeen Learning and Teaching FundKOSTERLITZ FUND – IN SILICO ANALYSIS OF ILPR LIGANDS
Barrow, J.
£10,000, University of Aberdeen Development TrustGUILDFORD BENCH METHODOLOGY FUND: DEVELOPING A DECELLULARISED PROTEIN MATRIX SCAFFOLD FOR PANCREATIC BETA-CELL DEVELOPMENT.
Barrow, J.
£1,200, Biochemical Society - Teaching
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Programmes
- Undergraduate, 5 year, September start
- Undergraduate, 4 year, September start
- Undergraduate, 4 year, September start
Courses
- SM1001 - Introduction to Medical Sciences
Teaching Responsibilities
I teach on the courses listed above and I am the Course coordinator for:
- SM1001 (Introduction to Medical Science)
- SM1501 (The Cell)
- ME2017 (Science for Medicine - 1st Year MBChB degree)
- BI25M7 (Energy for Life)
I am a tutor for MSci students when they are on their placement year (BT5007 course)
Non-course Teaching Responsibilities
- Undergraduate Medical Sciences Examinations Officer
- Assessment Lead for the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Chair of the following committees:
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition Feedback and Assessment Committee
- Molecular Medical Sciences Undergraduate Examination Boards (Internal and External Boards)
Member of the following committees and groups:
- Biomedical Sciences Undergraduate Examination Boards (Internal and External Boards)
- Institute of Medical Sciences Athena SWAN Equality and Diversity Committee
- Institute for Education in Medical and Dental Sciences Steering Committee
- Institute for Education in Medical and Dental Sciences Student Support Group
- Undergraduate Medical Sciences Teaching Executive
- Intercalating Medical Degrees Executive
- Science Teaching Hub Teaching and Learning Group
- Open Day/Applicant Day Committee
- Publications
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Impact of a Final Year Skills Workshop Series for Undergraduate Medical Science Students
Physiology 2019Contributions to Conferences: PostersBringing Science to Life – Teaching Metabolism through Augmented Reality
Human Anatomy & Physiology Annual ConferenceContributions to Conferences: PostersEffectiveness of a Final Year Honours Project Skills Workshop
11th Annual Academic Development SymposiumContributions to Conferences: PostersExploring the “Paperless” Lab – New Ideas and Novel Pedagogy
11th Annual Academic Development SymposiumContributions to Conferences: PostersSupporting the 1st Year Undergraduate Experience with Mentoring
11th Annual Academic Development SymposiumContributions to Conferences: PostersAugmented Reality for Enhancing Life Science Education
Contributions to Conferences: PapersAugmenting Reality in Bioscience Education
Physiology 2019Contributions to Conferences: PostersVisualising cell biology: We’ve an app for that!: How I am incorporating molecular visualisation into my teaching
Contributions to Specialist Publications: Featured ArticlesImpact of a final year project skills workshop series
Europhysiology 2018Contributions to Conferences: PostersImpact of a final year project skills workshop series
Contributions to Conferences: Papers