Biography

I was appointed as a Teaching Fellow in Biochemistry in the School of Life Sciences in 2010 and then to Lecturer in 2013 and Senior Lecturer in 2023.

I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry with Biological Medicinal Chemistry from Keele in 2005 and returned in November of the same year to begin a PhD under the supervision of Dr Anne Loweth investigating mechanisms of pancreatic beta cell destruction induced by inflammatory cytokines and by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus, which I completed in 2009.

Research and scholarship

My main research interests are in biochemistry and cell biology, focussing on the regulation of programmed cell death, apoptosis. My PhD research aimed at investigating some of the mechanisms contributing to pancreatic beta cell death and apoptosis in response to inflammatory cytokines and reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. This work focussed on the role of intracellular calcium movements and the activation of downstream endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling events. More recently this has expanded to consider the mechanisms of glucose and saturated fatty acid toxicity in beta cell apoptosis and the mode of action of novel eicosanoids in the attenuation of cytotoxicity. Other current interests include the cytoptotective effects of novel plant extracts in beta cell line models in response to pro-inflammatory cytokine or glucolipotoxicity-induced cell death.

I have supervised two PhD students to completion as lead supervisor.

I have also developed pedagogical research interests in the development of innovative teaching and learning approaches, completing a MA in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in 2015 and was made a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) in 2022.

Teaching

  • LSC-10056: Chemistry for Bioscience
  • LSC-10064: Biochemistry (module manager)
  • LSC-10068: Professional skills for Biochemists
  • LSC-10087: Core Practical Skills (module manager)
  • LSC-20016: Metabolism in Health and Disease (module manager)
  • LSC-20052: Nutrition and Energy Balance
  • LSC-20087: Drug Design
  • LSC-20107: Practical Skills in Bioscience (module manager)
  • LSC-20109: Research Methods in Human Biology
  • LSC-30061: Cancer Biology
  • LSC-30045/48: Life Sciences Experimental Research Project
  • LSC-40059: Biomedical Science Research Project

Publications

School address

School of Life Sciences
Huxley Building
Keele University
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414
Email: lifesciences.office@keele.ac.uk

Accessibility

Accessibility information for Huxley Building can be found on its AccessAble page.
Technical Manager: Chris Niles
Faculty Operations Manager: Maria Kyriacou

Enquiries

Tel: +44 (0) 1782 734414
Email: lifesciences.office@keele.ac.uk

Health and safety

Health and Safety Lead
Dr M Skidmore
Human Tissue Authority License
Dr D Tonge
Biological Safety Officer (University Level)
Ms R Harrison
Staff wellbeing champion
Dr Jenny Moran

A full list of School staff is available with details of individual room and telephone numbers, email addresses, details of research interests and other information.

Programme directors

Biology
David Hulse
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733640
Email: d.r.hulse@keele.ac.uk

Bioveterinary Science
Dr N Kareem
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733671
Email: n.o.kareem1@keele.ac.uk

Biochemistry
Dr David Watson
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733676
Email: d.watson@keele.ac.uk

Biomedical Science
Glenn Hussey (Admissions Tutor)
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733880
Email: g.d.hussey@keele.ac.uk

Ecology and Conservation
Jamie Pringle
Email: j.k.pringle@keele.ac.uk

Environmental Science
Michael Montenari
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 733162
Email: m.montenari@keele.ac.uk

Human Biology
Dr Mirna Mourtada (Admissions tutor)
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733679
Email: m.m.maarabouni@keele.ac.uk

Geography
Angie Turner
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 733620
Email: a.c.turner@keele.ac.uk

 

Geology
Steve Rogers
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 733752
Email: s.l.rogers@keele.ac.uk

Geology and Physical Geography
Steve Rogers
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 733752
Email: s.l.rogers@keele.ac.uk

Life Sciences
Research Centre Lead: Dr Helen Price
PGR Lead: Dr Marcelo Lima
Email: h.price@keele.ac.uk, m.andrade.de.lima@keele.ac.uk

Neuroscience
Dr Chris Adams
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733943
Email: c.adams@keele.ac.uk 

Microbiology and Immunology
Dr Jenny Moran
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733594
Email: j.a.moran@keele.ac.uk

Neuroscience
Dr Chris Adams
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733943
Email: c.adams@keele.ac.uk 

Pharmacology
Dr A Winter
Tel: +44 (0)1782 733117
Email: a.winter@keele.ac.uk

Sustainability and Environmental Management
Michael Montenari
Tel: +44 (0) 1782 733162
Email: m.montenari@keele.ac.uk