Personal profile
Personal Statement
Director of International Programme | Teaching Fellow in Pharmacology and Biochemistry
I am Director of the International BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and Pharmacology programme at the University of Strathclyde, delivered in collaboration with China Pharmaceutical University (CPU).
Appointed to this role in 2022, I provide academic leadership and coordination across all aspects of the programme, including curriculum development, quality assurance, student progression, and collaboration with colleagues at both institutions. The programme admits students who complete Years 1 to 3 at CPU and the final Honours year at Strathclyde. I have contributed to teaching delivery in China since 2018.
Alongside this role, I am a Teaching Fellow in Pharmacology and Biochemistry within the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS).
Teaching and Scholarship Interests
My teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across SIPBS, including the Biomedical Science and Pharmacy degrees, as well as the international joint programme with CPU. I coordinate multiple modules.
My scholarly interests focus on inclusive educational practices, digital equity, ethical curriculum innovation, and public health education. I lead several pedagogical research projects aimed at advancing equality and access in biomedical education. These include investigations into inclusive assessment design; the integration of ethical in vivo alternatives such as the CAM model; a longitudinal study on student engagement with generative AI tools in learning; and the co-creation of a buddy system that supports international student transition, promotes academic confidence, and fosters peer-to-peer support.
I also lead research in public health education and cancer prevention, with a particular emphasis on addressing health inequalities through awareness and education. I lead collaborative projects investigating awareness of HPV-associated cancers, HPV vaccination, and the signs, symptoms, and risk factors for oral cancer. These projects are delivered in partnership with Public Health Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire, and academic colleagues, and are designed to inform inclusive public health messaging and targeted prevention strategies. Much of my research is carried out in collaboration with Honours and postgraduate students, ensuring strong integration of teaching, research, and scholarship, and providing students with opportunities to engage in real-world, impact-driven research.
In addition, I contribute to widening participation through initiatives such as the long-running PCR for Schools programme, which introduces secondary school pupils to molecular biology through hands-on workshops and promotes equitable access to laboratory-based science education.
This collective body of work aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Peer-Led Integration: Co-Creation of a Cross-Cultural Buddy Scheme for Academic Confidence and Belonging
Sorensen, A. (Principal Investigator), Yilan , S. (Co-investigator) & Lelei, X. (Co-investigator)
15/01/25 → …
Project: Non-funded project
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Development of a novel treatment for therapy resistant triple negative breast cacner
Boyd, M. (Principal Investigator) & Sorensen, A. (Research Co-investigator)
1/10/24 → …
Project: Internally funded project
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Objective structured practical examinations (OSPEs) as an inclusive assessment tool for integrative pharmacology curricula
Coubrough, K., Tinto, K., Wahid, M., Klemm, N., Sorensen, A., Plevin, R., Seeley, A., Kelly-Laubscher, R. & Cunningham, M. R., Feb 2026, In: British Journal of Pharmacology. 183, 3, p. 731-732 2 p., 131.Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference abstract › peer-review
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Awareness of HPV-related cancers and the HPV vaccination programme in Scotland: a cross-sectional study of gender, deprivation and knowledge gaps
Nguyen-Thanh, H., Marshall, L., Wilson , H., Stewart , K., Kavanagh, K. & Sorensen, A., 4 Nov 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Public Health. 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Data for: "Understanding Radiation Response and Cell Cycle Variation in Brain Tumour Cells using Raman Spectroscopy"
Hill, I. (Creator), Boyd, M. (Creator), Milligan, K. (Creator), Jenkins, C. A. (Creator), Sorensen, A. (Creator), Graham, D. (Creator), Faulds, K. (Supervisor) & Jirasek, A. (Creator), University of Strathclyde, 21 Sept 2022
DOI: 10.15129/9ba64ab3-ce67-45d2-84ae-d2e94209713c
Dataset
Prizes
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Strathclyde teaching excellence Award
Sorensen, A. (Recipient), 20 May 2022
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Activities
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Glasgow Science Festival 2025
Boyd, M. (Speaker) & Sorensen, A. (Participant)
14 Jun 2025Activity: Public Engagement and Outreach › Education Outreach
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Tea, Weather and Queues: A cultural guide for studying in Scotland
Sorensen, A. (Speaker)
15 Apr 2025Activity: Talk or Presentation › Invited talk