Mark Williams

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 7 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 - Conrell 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.