Cambridge, England, United Kingdom
Research: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality globally. Inflammatory biomarkers have been shown to predict CVD progression with much greater validity than traditional risk factors. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines in conjunction with hypercholestrolemia are critical drivers of endothelial dysfunction, leukocyte infiltration and atherogenisis. T cells are metabolically dynamic whereby biases in energy substrates drive their identity change and cellular function. However, their metabolic dysregulation results in a persistent, ‘low-level’ of inflammation, termed ‘inflammageing’; a hallmark of immune senescence. Despite efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms governing their senescent associated secretory phenotype, CD8 T cells and their metabolism remains unexplored in their contribution to cardiac homeostasis. This project utilises mouse and human models of CVD to understand how T cell metabolism can be exploited experimentally for therapeutic purposes. Background: After self-teaching my A-levels, I obtained a Foundation Degree with distinction in Experimental Psychology at Lady Margaret Hall and subsequently graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Oxford holding a BA in Neuroscience. During this time, I developed an interest in molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration with a sub-focus in autophagy. My previous research has examined mitochondrial autophagy (termed mitophagy) at the MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit and the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology. I have additionally conducted placements investigating RNA Pol II transcription elongation at the William Dunn School of Pathology, and rapid antidepressant action at the Instituto Butantan, Brazil. In September 2023, I conducted my Masters degree investigating the role of protein and damaged organelle clearance pathways in childhood neurodegenerative disorders under the supervision of Prof. Angeleen Fleming and Prof. David Rubinsztein at the University of Cambridge. Currently I hold an IRB Target, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Fellowship investigating the role of inner mitochondrial membrane proteases in cardiac and immune senescence, supervised by Dr Ana-Victoria Lechuga Vieco at the Institute for Biomedical Research (IRB) in Barcelona. I am currently looking for opportunities in venture captial, product development and buisiness operations within biomedical startups.
• Organised over 600 hours of tutoring across five years in science subjects advertised predominantly by word of mouth • Independently planned and catered content to each child (aged 6-17), including those that have special learning requirements • Managed students study needs to develop a learning program around the student’s specific needs for achieving 2 grades higher on average • Contracted independently by schools to deliver supplementary tutorials for students in groups of 2-8 learners • Tutor for Undergraduate 'introduction to neuroscience and neurophysiology' • Tutor for Undergraduate 'pathology of neurodegenerative disease' • Oxbridge and general interview preparation and practice • Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) and BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) tutor • Personal statement workshop leader and reviewer • Subject tutor in primary, secondary, and GCSE Maths and sciences, • Subject tutor in A-level Biology and Chemistry
• Examined a new animal model for testing psychoactive drugs and how stress modifies these behaviours in the open-field paradigm • Utilised the open field, Morris water maze and forced swim test behavioural assay’s with subsequent histological analysis of brain slices • Investigated physiological and cognitive phenotypes in mice to neurotoxic insult and electrophysiological stimulation
• Examined mitophagy and mitochondrial transfer processes in a rodent heteroplasmy model focusing on T-cell fate determination • Conducted behavioural assays, qPCR, mitochondrial genotyping, ATP synthesis assays, Seahorse assays and confocal microscopy • Presented my co-authored publication on CISD1/Cisd as part of an extended research group seminar between the UK and Germany
I co-founded the Estranged Students' Network (ESN) alongside Sarah Ezzeddine. At the heart of our mission, we wish to create an empowering student network for estranged students. As estranged students ourselves, we have witnessed first-hand the inevitable challenges posed to estranged students throughout their academic progression. Having also had exposure to other like-minded organisations such as Rare Recruitment and SEO London, we believe and trust in the power of widening the representation of estranged students. The ESN is also on Instagram @estrangedstudentsnetwork