About
I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BSc degree focused in Bioengineering and Life Sciences. I received a PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University in 2006, where I evaluated the role of olfactory ensheathing cells in enhancing regeneration after spinal cord injury under the supervision of Professor Dennis Stelzner. My post-doctoral work was performed at the University of Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair in the laboratory of Professor James Fawcett. This research focused on the potential of transmembrane receptors known as integrins to promote axonal growth after spinal cord injury as well as studying their ability to transport in vivo within central and peripheral nervous system axons. During my time in Cambridge, I also served as a Research Associate for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and the Plasticise European Research Consortium. Following this I was Lecturer in Anatomy at the University of St Andrews School of Medicine, after which I was joined the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, in January 2017.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- spinal cord injury
- gene therapy
- axonal regeneration
- stem cells
- integrin receptors
Current research
My research is aimed at enhancing repair of the injured brain and spinal cord. We also investogate why certain parts of the nervous system can regenerate while others do not. My work involves targeting the intrinsic inability of the CNS to regenerate using various approaches to reintroduce necessary proteins that are missing in the adult and injured nervous systems, including utilising gene therapy and cell-derived vesicles. In addition, I am interested in incorporating cellular therapies to promote neuroprotection and regrowth in the damaged or degenerated nervous system.
Research projects
Active projects
Completed projects
Publications
Pagination
External roles and responsibilities
Biography
Career History
2017-present: Lecturer in Systems Physiology, Biological Sciences, University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, UK.
2012-2016: Lecturer in Anatomy, University of St Andrews, School of Medicine, St Andrews, UK.
2006-2012: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Cambridge, Centre for Brain Repair, Cambridge, UK.
Academic qualifications
2000-2006: PhD (with distinction) in Anatomy and Cell Biology. State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
1996-2000: BSc in Bioengineering. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.