I obtained my BSc in Biomedical Genetics from Newcastle University in 2018, developing an interest in epigenetics and its role in disease and development. I have also worked for 14 months as an R&D scientist in the Molecular Biology department at Allergan Biologics Ltd, working in protein and viral-gene therapies and have interned with C4X Discovery using genetic datasets to identify novel drug targets for Neurodegenerative Disorders. My BBSRC-funded PhD in Neuroscience brought my interests together, working to validate and characterise a preclinical neurodevelopmental rodent model for schizophrenia. Maternal immune activation is a risk factor for several neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. My work primarily focused on characterising the possible molecular mechanisms by which offspring neurodevelopment is disrupted following maternal infection during pregnancy and how these might be used for therapeutic targets. This research is now being furthered by a successful BBSRC-funded grant to continue my research as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Manchester.

Through my experiences have gained me proficient skills in Molecular Techniques (Including Gene Expression Profiling, Cell Culture, DNA/RNA Extraction, DNA Sequencing, Epigenetic analysis, Western Blotting, ELISAs and IHC/IF), handling of large datasets and statistical analysis using various software packages. I have worked collaboratively across industrial and academic settings, including experience in both GLP/GMP laboratory environments. I also continue to develop my scientific track record with international conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.