After graduating in Biochemistry in 1995, I moved to the University of London to pursue a PhD at the Royal Veterinary College. Under the supervision of Nigel Goode, I attempted to elucidate the mechanism of Protein Kinase C down-regulation and its impact on signal transduction. Seeking to apply my research to a human condition, I moved to St. Thomas’ Hospital to study the signalling mechanisms underlying ischemic preconditioning with Richard Heads and Michael Marber. The work involved an enjoyable collaboration with Michael Duchen and colleagues at University College London, which enabled me to explore the effect of simulated ischemia-reperfusion on mitochondrial function and Ca2+ dynamics. In fear of becoming a physiologist, I retreated to the more familiar territory of molecular biology and chose to study heart development. The past five years have been spent working with Paul Riley and Pete Scambler at the Institute of Child Health investigating the control of cell migration during cardiac morphogenesis.
During my time at St. Thomas’, I was co-opted to co-edit The Bulletin, along with James Mockridge. After James left to become a “real” editor at Portland Press, I continued in my role and now share responsibilities with Helen Maddock. |
