Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I graduated from the University of Leeds with an MSci in Neuroscience. I moved to UCL to complete my PhD in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering as part of the LiDO iCASE DTP with GlaxoSmithKline. During my PhD, I developed multicellular models of the human respiratory epithelium for improved efficacy testing in preclinical target validation. In my current research associate role, I am studying the role of the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) in lung homeostasis and in response to inflammation.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Learn to think bigger! Nothing is out of your grasp.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
I love the research culture in our lab and at Randall Centre of Cell and Molecular Biophysics. It’s open and friendly, very collaborative, and really motivating for early career researchers. I also love being co-chair of the Research Staff Network Committee. We’re always looking for new members, so if it sounds like something that would be of interest, please do get in touch!
Oh, and Lenny, our Guy’s campus cat, never fails to bring joy to us all.
Do you have any current projects that you’d like to tell us about?
Yes! I’m currently forming a new professional network for lung researchers across Kings College London. The Kings Respiratory Network is a platform to bring together all lung researchers (PhD candidates, clinical and non-clinical research associates and fellows) across various disciplines. It aims to provide engaging networking opportunities for scientists to meet-up, discuss their work and develop new ideas, and to provide engagement opportunities with patients afflicted with respiratory disease. It will be based at the Centre of Lung Health, and you will receive an invitation to join the network and our inaugural event soon, so please sign up if you are interested!
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I hope to be on track to becoming an independent researcher.
What do you do with your time outside academia?
I enjoy traveling, hiking, nice restaurants, reading, historical architecture, and exploring new cities and coastlines.
Who inspires you most and why?
I find politicians like Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) and Sajid Javid (former Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer) inspirational. Both are children of Pakistani immigrants who experienced racism growing up in the UK. Their politics aside, they make perfect role models for younger generations, especially ethnic minorities. I believe seeing people that you relate to in positions of power helps break down unconscious, often self-imposed, psychological barriers to success.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Securing research funding for my BBSRC career development award.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite restaurant: Gaucho
Favourite season: Autumn
Favourite cuisine: Middle Eastern
Coffee order: Filter (black)