Research Experience

Summary

I have extensive research experience spanning over 7 years, primarily based at the University of Sussex with a brief stint at the University of Glasgow. My roles have progressed from a doctoral researcher to a volunteer research associate, to a postdoctoral research fellow, demonstrating growth and dedication to academic research.

My research has largely focused on neurobiology, particularly the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I have been involved in multiple research projects, applying a wide range of techniques—from molecular biology methods to imaging and surgical procedures. My previous research projects involved the investigation of the link between dynein function, TDP-43 aggregation, and autophagy in ALS. My current project involves the identification of non-coding RNA biomarkers for the prognosis and progression of ALS.

I am an active contributor to scientific knowledge, with three articles published, and three more first-author articles recently submitted for peer-review. I have also developed numerous software tools and made valuable datasets publicly available for the research community.

Academic Research Positions:

• Nov 2023 - Present, Research Fellow in Motor Neurone Disease, University of Sussex
• Oct 2022 - Oct 2023, Volunteer Research Associate, University of Sussex
• Sep 2018 - Sep 2022, Doctoral Researcher, University of Sussex
• Sep 2017 - Apr 2018, Scientific Researcher, University of Glasgow
• Sep 2016 - Aug 2017, Work Placement Researcher, University of Glasgow

Research Projects

• Nov 2023 - Present

• Project title: Identification of non-coding RNA biomarkers for disease prognosis and progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

• Location: University of Sussex

  • Techniques used:
    • DNA & RNA extraction
    • cDNA synthesis, RT-qPCR
    • RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, machine learning

• Aug 2019 - Sep 2022 (3 years, 2 months)

  • Project title: Investigating the contributions of impaired cytoplasmic dynein 1, TDP-43, and microglia-derived microRNA to the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  • Location: University of Sussex
  • Techniques used:
    • DNA & RNA extraction
    • cDNA synthesis, PCR, qPCR, RT-qPCR
    • RNA sequencing, microarrays, bioinformatics
    • Molecular cloning
    • Gel electrophoresis, genotyping
    • ELISA
    • Primary and immortalised cell culture
    • Transfection, viral transduction
    • Cre-Lox recombination
    • Histology
    • IF, ICC, IHC
    • Epifluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy
    • Cryo-sectioning
    • Perfusion-fixation
    • Intraperitoneal injections
    • Behavioural testing
    • Muscle dissection

• Apr 2019 – Jul 2019 (4 months)

  • Project title: Imaging spontaneous calcium activity in the white matter.
  • Location: University of Sussex
  • Techniques used:
    • Cranial window surgery
    • Implantation of a cannula in the brain
    • Two-photon imaging in vivo

• Jan 2019 – Mar 2019 (3 months)

  • Project title: Potential of inflammatory microglia as a source of extracellular microRNAs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
  • Location: University of Sussex

• Sep 2018 – Dec 2018 (4 months)

  • Project title: Investigating the effects of a synaptically-enriched glutamate reporter on basal AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission"
  • Location: University of Sussex
  • Techniques used:
    • Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology
    • Primary neuronal culture
    • Viral transduction
    • Programming

• Jan 2018 – Apr 2018 (4 months)

  • Project title: Investigating the effects of intravenous catecholamines on heart rate and blood pressure under inhalational anaesthesia.
  • Location: University of Glasgow
  • Techniques used:
    • Inducing and maintaining general inhalational anaesthesia
    • Tracheostomy
    • Arterial and venous cannulation
    • Intravenous injections
    • Exposure and electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve

• Sep 2017 – Dec 2017 (4 months)

  • Project title: Investigating the therapeutic potential of angiotensin-(1-7) in a hypertensive model of stroke.
  • Location: University of Glasgow
  • Techniques used:
    • Histology
    • Analysis of MRI images