Biography

I was appointed at Keele as a Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences in August 2009. Prior to this, I obtained a first class BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry in 1995 and a PhD in cellular pharmacology in 1998, both from Keele. I subsequently was employed as a post-doctoral research fellow, where my work involved identifying and studying novel molecules which control apoptosis, in order to define new drug targets for the therapy of cancer and other human diseases where apoptosis control is dysfunctional.

Since starting my lecturer post, I became interested in educational research and in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. This culminated in the completion of a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (MATLHE) at Keele in 2011.

 

Research and scholarship

Google Scholar:

http://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=9sdDdAYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra

ResearchGate:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mirna_Maarabouni

My research interests are in molecular cell biology and cell signalling i.e. investigating the way that mammalian cells function and communicate. Areas of particular interest include studying the signalling pathways involved in the cell fate decision. Currently, my work concentrates on the elucidation of the signalling pathways initiated by the modulation of the expression of a number of genes and how they eventually cause the destruction of the cell.  These genes include those that encode non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).  I am interested in investigating the roles of ncRNAs in the death and survival of human cells and in cancer. I also have a long-standing interest in studying the role of phosphatases in cancer.

Current projects include:

  • The role of serine/threonine phosphatase in human cancer. 
  • The role of long non-coding RNAs in human cancer.
  • The role of Vacuolar ATPase subunits in breast cancer.
  • Identification of novel long non coding RNAs involved in the control of cell death and survival (Funded by Royal Society Grant).

Teaching

Year 1

  • Year 1 Human Biology Tutor 
  • LSC-10066: Molecular Cell Biology
  • LSC-10072: Cellular Genetics and Evolution

Year 2

  • LSC-20052: Nutrition and Energy Balance (Module Manager)
  • LSC-20085: Cell Signalling (Module Manager)

Year 3

  • LSC-30015: Biology of Disease
  • LSC-30004: Research project (Experimental)
  • LSC-30007: Research project (Dissertation)
  • LSC 30028: Advances in Medicine
  • LSC-30030: Human Evolution
  • LSC-30010: Biochemistry in Practice
  • LSC30041: Biomedical Science and Pathology (Module Manager)
  • LSC-30061: Cancer Biology

Year 4/ MSc Biomedical Blood Science

  • LSC-40033: Advanced Laboratory Techniques (Module Manager)

Publications

Lab members

Dr Anwar M Hasan, Research Associate, a.m.hasan@keele.ac.uk, +44 (0)1782 733682 

Dr Hassan has gained her PhD from Keele University. Dr Hassan is currently involved in investigating the role of phosphatases in cancer. 

 hasan_anwar 90x90

Maria Maroszek (PhD student, Joined February 2019)

Maria is a PhD student studying the roles of long non-coding RNAs in leukaemia. Prior to joining the lab, Maria completed a degree in Biomedical Science at Keele University.

Maria-Maroszek  

Taniqua Kristina Adderley (Phd student,joined the lab in January 2020)

Taniqua's project investigates drug repurposing in cancer. Prior joining the lab, Taniqua completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at Keele University, Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Pathology of Viruses, Imperial College London (2016) and Master of Science in Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics of Cancer, University of Leicester (2017).

taniqua kristina adderley

Alessia Ostini

Prior starting the PhD, Alessia obtained a BSc in Human Biology and Medicinal Chemistry here at Keele. During her second year, she was chosen to undertake a placement in Malaysia, at USM, working on a novel anticancer compound in breast cancer cell lines. Afterwards Alessia worked for a year as a Graduate Quality Manager in an Energy & Recycling Company.

 

Alessia Ostini  

Alex Tomlinson

Alex has joined the lab in 2022. Her project focuses on investigating the role of long non-coding RNA in glioma and neuroblastoma. Prior to joining the lab, Alex completed   Master of Science in Molecular Genetics and Diagnostics in 2020 University of Nottingham  and BSc  in  Medical Genetics in 2018 University Centre Shrewsbury . Alex is currently working as a visiting lecturer at  University Centre Shrewsbury.

 

Previous lab members

 

Zainab Almnaseer completed her PhD in January 2018. She was the  first PhD completion  from the group.  Zainab is a Medical Doctor and worked as General Practitioner in her home country of Iraq. Her project focused on the investigation of the role of long non coding RNAs in cancer.  Zainab has presented her work in a number of conferences including NCRI and EACR conferences.  Zainab pictured below with her Extrenal Examiner Dr Aditi Kanhere of Birmingham University and her advisor Prof Gwyn Williams,  is now back to her home country where she works as a lecturer. 

zainab

Links to Zainab’s thesis and conference contribution:

http://eprints.keele.ac.uk/4541/

http://www.bioscirep.org/content/38/4/BSR20180704

almnaseer zainab  

Hiba Mohammed has recently completed her PhD. She is the second PhD completion from the group. Hiba is a Medical Doctor and worked as General Practitioner in her home country of Iraq. Her project investigated the role of protein phosphatase 4 in breast cancer. Hiba has presented her work in a number of conferences including NCRI, EACR and ECDO. Her work also resulted in a peer reviewed publication.

Links to Hiba’s publications and activities:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0898656816301450?via%3Dihub)

https://www.keele.ac.uk/lifesci/newsandevents/2016/3minthesis.php

https://www.keele.ac.uk/lifesci/newsandevents/2014/hibatravelgrant.php

 

Mathilda Abou Faycal was a Master student at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University. Mathilda carried out her MSc project in the lab in summer 2017. Her work involves investigating the role of protein phosphatase  4 regulatory subunits in leukemia. Mathilda’s work was presented in NCRI conference November 2017. Mathilda has since graduated with an MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in her home country.

Mathilda Abou Faycal  

Chloe Gawlik (MPhil Student)

Chloe completed her MPhil in Jannuary 2019. Prior to joining the lab, Chloe completed a degree in Biomedical Science at Keele University.

 

gawlick chloe  

Hasan Al Sayed Mortada (MSc student)

Hasan was a Master student at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University. He joined us in March 2019 to carry out his MSc project investigating drug repurposing in leukemia. Hasan completed his project in July 2019 and has since graduated with an MSc in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology in his home country.

Mortada-Hasan

Ms Katerina Bountali (PhD student)

Katerina has completed her PhD in 2021. Her project focused on the investigation of the role of long non-coding RNAs in neuroblastoma and glioma.  Katerina  has presented her work in a number of conferences including NCRI and EACR conferences. Katreina is  now back to her home country in Greece where she works as a scientific researcher.

Links to Katerina’s publications:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141813019304957?via%3Dihub

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S205970292031927X?via%3Dihub

https://abstracts.ncri.org.uk/abstract/unravelling-the-role-of-novel-uncharacterised-long-non-coding-rnas-in-the-control-of-cell-fate/


Katerina Bountali

Nadieh Kavousi (PhD student)

Nadieh has completed her PhD in 2022. Her project investigates the role of protein phosphatase regulatory subunit 3  in cancer. Prior to joining the lab, Nadieh completed a degree in Biomedical Science at Keele University.

Links to Nadieh Kavousi publications:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141813023003598?via%3Dihub

https://abstracts.ncri.org.uk/abstract/protein-phosphatase-4-regulatory-subunit-3a-regulates-leukemic-cell-survival-independent-of-pp4-catalytic-subunit/


nadieh Kavousi

 

Master Students

2018: Dorcas Umar

2017: Mathilda Abou Faycal

2016: Farah Haji Alnassay

2016: Cyntura Sivanandan

2016: Alicja Ladna

2015: Jawhar Omar

2015:  Abdi Suaad

Undergraduates

2019-2020 Rochelle Hesse-Lamptey, Jordan Dhanda, Hannah Newton-Oakes, Rebecca Newell,Cameron Campbell and Abdur-Rahmaan Hussain.

2018-19: Mohammadali Kavousi, Matej Lietava, Emilia Postaleniec, Victoria Mason , Adeelah Ghafoor, Sriram Vijayakumar, Alexandra Condon, Nicola Robinson, Ollie Tomlins.

2017-18: Ryan Dimmock, Sam Longstaff, Sarah Nicholson,Emily Scanlon, Keith Turita, Rachel Ho, Swetha  Umashankar, Lindsay Coll.

2016-17: Bandeira Kevi, Jayawardena Upeshala, Lo Pui, Mackenzie Luke, Percival Shannon

2015-16: Kwai Wong, Will Smith, Arrti Sureshkumar, Chi Chair, Najeebah Zainal Ariffin, Joel Richardson

2014-5: Tasha Hunt, Aqeela Mahroof, Jade Chritchely

2013-14: Abdihakin Dirie, James Johnson, Lauren Anthony

 

School of Life Sciences,
Huxley Building,
Keele University,
Staffordshire,
ST5 5BG
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414