Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
My undergrad was in Sport & Exercise Science at University of Bath, it was the only subject that I wanted to study so it wasn’t a hard choice. It left me wanting to understand how exercise works at the molecular level, so I went onto an MRes in Molecular & Cellular Biology at University of Birmingham to learn wet lab techniques. This led to my PhD at King’s on a health school studentship affiliated to the BBSRC LIDo DTP in Prof Stephen Harridge’s lab.
I developed an induced cellular senescence model in human primary muscle cells to try to identify novel senescence markers for this tissue. This led into my current research associate role looking at the longitudinal effects of exercise in ageing humans from single nuclei up to whole body physiology. I couldn’t be working on a project more aligned to my interests so I am very fortunate!
What is a typical day like for you?
The joy of the job is that no two days are the same, but each day must start with a good coffee, the aspiration to go to the gym or do some exercise (probably 30% success rate here) then see what science has in store for that day.
What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
Oh so many mistakes… haha! As much as you love it, maybe rugby isn’t the best sport to continue playing - I had a 6 month interruption to my PhD due to a pretty serious concussion. But in general I try to remind myself that hindsight is always 20-20 so I prefer to look forward… what's next?
What is something positive that happened to you in 2023?
In 2022, I was tasked with reestablishing the FoLSM Research Staff Network committee from scratch. This network has grown massively since then in bringing together the school networks, teaching fellows and technical staff and starting to affect positive change across the faculty. The highlight was the inaugural Early Career Researcher Conference in November 2023 where this committee really did put on a fantastic event for research staff!
What are you most looking forward to next year?
In 2024, I will really get into analysing the biological samples from our human ageing project utilising single nuclei multiomics, spatial imaging and many more techniques! I am also looking forward to helping to bring more positive change for research staff across the faculty and wider university in my role as deputy chair of the research staff representative committee. With engagement across CRSD, RMID and research culture at King’s, it's an exciting time to be involved in this area.
Who inspires you most and why?
Anyone who sets out to achieve something - no matter how small - and see’s it through. There is so much good intention out there which doesn’t get finished.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
In five years’ time, I hope to have my own independent fellowship (ideally at King’s) working at the centre of a truly interdisciplinary research project that uses exercise and physical activity to improve health across the human lifespan.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Autumn – the colours of the leaves, open fires and quarter zip jumpers
Favourite London restaurant: Shrigley’s Moroccan on Borough High Street. Chicken & halloumi plate please!
Favourite scientist: Prof Paul Francis (formerly of King's) – yes he is my dad but I get my passion for what I do from him and he sets a high bar for me to follow
Netflix recommendation: The West Wing (I am hoping at least someone got the what’s next reference earlier)
One thing you could not go a day without: My morning light roast filter coffee brewed in my clever dripper (after much research the best office brewer option)