I am a Research Associate within the School of Infection & Immunity, where my work focuses on the cellular "conversations" that drive chronic inflammation and ageing.

My research journey began with a PhD in Veterinary Parasitology at the University of Edinburgh, investigating the metabolic "tug-of-war" between hosts and pathogens. Today, I apply that expertise to human health, specifically looking at how fibroblasts and immune cells interact in ageing tissues. By integrating multi-omic data—from single-cell RNA sequencing to metabolomics—I aim to identify new molecular pathways for treating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Currently, I work across two research groups, supervised by Dr Chris Mahony (80%) and Professor Julia Edgar (20%), bridging the gap between basic discovery science and clinical applications in neuroimmunology.

My research aims to understand how the immune system and structural cells (fibroblasts) change as we age. Key areas of focus include:

• Cellular Interactions: Understanding how fibroblasts and immune cells communicate during chronic inflammation.

• Multi-omics Integration: Using RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, and metabolomics to map complex host-pathogen and immune responses.

• Immunometabolism: Investigating the metabolic mechanisms that underpin inflammatory disease.

• Advanced Imaging: Applying confocal microscopy to visualize cellular behavior and tissue repair.

Prior publications

I am passionate about research-led teaching and supporting students as they develop their technical and analytical skills. My experience includes:

• BVMS Level 1: Tutorial Instructor for fundamental cell biology (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh).

• Undergraduate & Postgraduate Mentorship: Providing hands-on supervision and technical training for students across several disciplines, specifically focusing on:

  • Advanced Imaging: Training in confocal and fluorescence microscopy.

  • Molecular Techniques: Guidance in parasite culture and molecular cloning.

  • Bioinformatics: Leading workshops on RNA-seq and scRNA-seq analysis workflows.