Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
I am currently the Associate Dean (Learning Enhancement) for the Science Faculty at the University of Strathclyde. I am also a Professor of Pharmacology and the Director of Biomolecular Science (BMS) Programmes in the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS). I lead the design and development of Strathclyde’s BMS curriculum and successfully led the re-accreditations for the BMS programmes with the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) in 2023 and the Royal Society of Biology (RSB) in 2024.
I am working on establishing alternative models for teaching practical pharmacology, collaborating with UK-based pharmacology educators to move away from the use of rodent models. One of my key interests is promoting inclusive education in STEM to make pharmacology accessible to diverse learners.
I was elected as a Fellow of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) in 2021 and as an Honorary BPS Fellow in 2023. In the same year, I was honored to receive the British Pharmacological Society Rang Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching. I serve as a Reviewing Editor for the BPS Journal, Pharmacological Research & Perspectives (PR&P) and I am a member of the BPS engagement (2020 - present) and Awards Committees (2020 - 2026).
Since 2021, I have been part of the Core Concepts of Pharmacology research team, and I currently serve as the Secretary of the IUPHAR-Education Section (2023-2026).
I was part of the SAT team leading the Athena SWAN Bronze (in 2017) and Silver (in 2021) awards.
Previous leadership roles Include:
- Editor-in-Chief of the BPS Pharmacology Matters magazine (2017-2022)
- Elected member and co-Chair of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland (RSE-YAS, 2018 cohort)
- RSE-YAS Theme Lead for Health (2019-2021).
- SIPBS Public Engagement and Outreach Coordinator (BMS) with Dr Zahra Rattray (Pharmacy) from 2017-2023.
- Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellow (2017)
Research Interests
My field of expertise is G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent regulation in cardiovascular and metabolic disease with a particular focus on the proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) and purinergic P2Y receptor families. My wider research investigates the molecular mechanisms of GPCR, gap junction, and damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) HMGB1 signaling in processes that underpin platelet function, cardiovascular inflammation, anti-cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and skeletal muscle function in ageing, particularly its impact on cardiometabolic health. I am especially interested in the interplay between muscle and cardiovascular systems in the context of inflammation and vascular dysfunction.
I have a strong interest in research-led teaching, particularly in developing alternative models that align with the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), which can be applied across both research and teaching settings. My work includes exploring the use of 3D printing technology to develop human-body-on-a-chip systems and advancing more sustainable models as alternatives to rodent models in research. These efforts aim to provide innovative, ethical, and environmentally friendly approaches to pharmacological and biomedical science research and education.
Teaching Interests
I am the Biomolecular Sciences (BMS) Programme Director (2023–2027) and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), with a Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice. In this role, I lead the strategic development and delivery of the BMS programmes, ensuring they remain innovative, inclusive, and aligned with current scientific and educational advancements.
I am an active member of the International Union of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) education section where I serve as Secretary (2023-2026). I am also a member of the Core Concepts in Pharmacology Research Team, where I contribute to global efforts to enhance pharmacology education and promote best practices in teaching and research.
I currently serve as the external examiner for the BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds programme (Bioscience areas) at University College Cork, ensuring the maintenance of high academic standards across these programmes.
Education/Academic qualification
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education (SFHEA), Advance HE
Award Date: 31 Jul 2022
Postgraduate Diploma Academic Practice, University Of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Sept 2017
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Advance HE (formerly Higher Education Academy)
Award Date: 1 Sept 2016
Doctor of Philosophy, Molecular Pharmacology of Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs), University Of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Jul 2010
Bachelor of Science, BSc (Hons) Pharmacology and Biochemistry (First class award), University Of Strathclyde
Award Date: 1 Jul 2006
External positions
BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds Programme - Bioscience External Examiner, University College Cork (UCC), College of Science, Engineering & Food Science (CSEFS), School of Chemistry
Sept 2024 → Sept 2027
Facilitating Group Co-Chair, Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland
2021 → 2023
Applied Medical Sciences (AMS) programme External Examiner, Swansea University Medical School
Jun 2020 → Sept 2025
Theme Lead - Health, Royal Society of Edinburgh's Young Academy of Scotland
2019 → 2021
Keywords
- GPCRs
- Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs)
- Thrombin
- Cardiovascular
- Pharmacology
- Cardiotoxicity
- Pharmacology Education
- Inclusive Assessment
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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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 5 Gender Equality
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Therapeutic targeting of IKK alpha in osteosarcoma using first-in-class selective IKK inhibitors
Plevin, R. (Principal Investigator) & Cunningham, M. R. (Co-investigator)
1/01/25 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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Testing the feasibility of using killifish as a sustainable replacement model for multimorbidity research at Strathclyde
Cunningham, M. R. (Principal Investigator), Wahid, M. (CoPI), Tinto, K. (CoPI), Murray, J. (Co-investigator), Currie, S. (Co-investigator), Boyd, M. (Co-investigator), Perrie, Y. (Co-investigator) & Gould, G. (Co-investigator)
1/01/25 → …
Project: Internally funded project
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Understanding GnRH: local systems, signalling mechanisms, and implications in female health
Tosh, L., Tinto, K., Cunningham, M., Mulheran, P. & Ferro, V., 1 Jul 2026, In: Open Biology. 16, 7, 15 p., 260006 .Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Engaging students-as-partners (SaP) to explore education for sustainable development (ESD) in STEM
Coubrough, K., Huq, M., Wahid, M., Tinto, K., Neves, K., Irfan, M., Klemm, N., Currie, S., Gibson, L., Kelly-Laubscher, R. & Cunningham, M. R., 18 Jun 2026. 8 p.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Datasets
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Data for: "Investigations on average fluorescence lifetimes for visualizing multi-exponential decays"
Li, Y. (Creator), Sapermsap, N. (Contributor), Safar, M. (Contributor), Cunningham, M. R. (Contributor), Chen, Y. (Contributor) & Li, D. (Creator), University of Strathclyde, 3 Dec 2020
DOI: 10.15129/062e9e11-9d7f-49e5-a332-2b10d695bdcd
Dataset
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PAR4 SILAC Proteomics
Bonfanti, M. (Contributor), Cunningham, M. R. (Supervisor) & Heesom, K. (Creator), University of Strathclyde, 25 Nov 2024
DOI: 10.15129/6fa95c9e-2188-46f4-92d4-705c0c96bdfd
Dataset
Prizes
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2024 AWERB 3Rs Prize
Cunningham, M. R. (Recipient), Wahid, M. (Recipient) & Tinto, K. (Recipient), Oct 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Abcam Biochemicals Presentation Prize, 5th BPS Focused Meeting on Cell Signalling
Cunningham, M. R. (Recipient), Apr 2014
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Authentic Assessment in Action - OSPE-culating Learning in pharmacology laboratories
Cunningham, M. R. (Speaker), Coubrough, K. (Contributor), Tinto, K. (Contributor) & Wahid, M. (Contributor)
13 Jul 2026Activity: Talk or Presentation › Invited talk
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20th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology 2026 (WCP2026) : WCP2026 Congress Workshop
Cunningham, M. R. (Organiser), Coubrough, K. (Chair) & Seeley, A. (Chair)
12 Jul 2026 → 13 Jul 2026Activity: Presenting or Organising an Event › Conference, workshop, seminar or course