I am a Chancellors Research Fellow, examining the role of mitochondria in the normal function of cells of the brain (neurons, glia and cerebrovasculature), as well as the role that mitochondria play in protecting or contributing to neurodegeneration or dysfunction in disease. Current particular areas of focus include alterations in mitochondrial motility and functionality due to amyloid-β or hyperglycaemia.

My primary research interest is in mitochondria, with a particular focus on the involvement of these small organelles with calcium signalling processes and the changes associated with age and diseases. I use high-speed and timelapse fluorescence imaging to visualise and modulate mitochondria and calcium signals within live cells and tissue. 

I teach on both the Biomedical Sciences and MPharm degree programs and am class co-ordinator for MP323 "Management of Cardiovascular Conditions". I host Masters students in the lab - MSc, MSci and MRes projects, in addition to supervising/co-supervising 2 PhD students and 2 EngD students.

I am the University representative for The Physiological Society (https://www.physoc.org/) - please do contact me with any queries relating to membership, grant applications, conferences or any other aspect of support that the Society offers.

Core lab techniques and capabilities include:

• primary neuronal / glial / smooth muscle cell isolation and culture
• live-cell fluorescence imaging (Ca²⁺, organelle transport, ROS etc)
• image analysis & quantification

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

PhD (Dundee / Buck Institute for Age Research, CA)

BSc (Hons) (Aberdeen)