Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham, UK. My research explores how mitochondrial metabolism, quality control and cellular stress responses determine tissue adaptation and vulnerability, with a particular focus on the heart and skeletal muscle. I am interested in understanding how disrupted mitochondrial signalling contributes to cardiomyopathy, ferroptosis and metabolic remodelling, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic strategies for mitochondrial disease. My group combines mouse models, human iPSC-derived systems and advanced metabolic approaches to uncover fundamental mechanisms of disease. I enjoy building collaborative research networks, mentoring early-career scientists and creating a supportive, curious and inclusive research environment. I paint science-inspired artwork and try to keep my own cardiac and skeletal muscles active through a variety of sports!
The Max Planck Society has a world-leading reputation as a science and technology research organization and the quality of the research carried out at the institutes must meet the Max Planck Society's excellence criteria. Independent project development and scientific questioning. Discovered a novel role for mitochondrial integrated stress response to protect cells from ferroptosis in early onset cardiomyopathy. Project leader of several PhD student's projects working towards independent leadership skills. Focusing on mitochondrial stress responses in tissue specific manner.
A prestigious two-year fellowship for Postdoctoral researcher including funding for lab consumables. Working with different animal models to ultimately find a cure for mitochondrial myopathies. Focusing on studying mitochondrial metabolism and proteases in skeletal muscle development and mitochondrial stress signalling in cardiac disease
One-year fellowship from Finnish Cultural Foundation to start as a Postdoctoral Scientist in Cluster of Excellence at the University of Cologne for the Ageing Research. Establishing a project with new in vivo models for mitochondrial dysfunction focusing on studying the role of mitochondrial proteases in metabolic stress situations.
Studying the possible new therapeutic options for mitochondrial myopathies with in vivo model and in clinical trial focusing on dietary treatment options. I also worked in diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases by utilising exome sequencing methods and studying the potential candidate mutations in cell culture models.