I am a newly appointed lecturer currently developing an independent research group. I have acquired extensive experience in the design, delivery and assessment of teaching and learning activities undertaken by biomedical science students both in China and Scotland.

I have over 12 years of expertise in researching blood cancers, including Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and Mutliple Myeloma, and have identified new potentially targetable disease mechanisms. Currently, the leukemia field is shifting from a leukemic cell-centered research perspective to a view in which the environment within the bone marrow (BMME) is considered increasingly important in shielding leukemic cells from chemotherapy drugs (chemoresistance). Strategies thus far for modeling and targeting leukaemia – BMME cross-talk, however are currently inadequate. My independent research is focusing on using a unique 3D co-culture system for better modelling and targeting of BMME-mediated chemoresistance mechanisms in AML. This research has the potential to discover novel targetable mechanisms of disease in AML and other blood cancers. I am performing clinically relevant research studies, by collaborating with key academic (e.g. Dr Monica L Guzman - Cornell University, USA & Professor Mhairir Copland - University of Glasgow UK) and industrial (e.g. Dr Simon T Barry - AstraZeneca & Dr Sheelagh - Cyclacel, UK) researchers. This research could lead to improved clinical outcomes in blood cancer patients, such as survival and quality of life.