The research lounge

Using fruit flies as a model to investigate parkinson's disease with Maria

Maria is a PhD student at the National Horizons Centre, Teesside University. Her PhD project involves investigating the roles of mitochondria in Parkinson’s disease, using fruit flies as a model system. The project combines a mix of genetics with molecular biology. She hopes that this research will improve knowledge around the mechanisms that cause Parkinson’s disease, and pave the way for future therapeutics. Unsurprisingly, this research has increased Maria’s interest in the power mitochondria have in the body and as a result, she is particularly interested in the role of mitochondria in health and disease, and hopes to continue researching this. Prior to starting her PhD, Maria completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a diploma in professional practice, as a result of a placement year in an NHS Histology laboratory. Following this, she went on to complete a Master of Research degree in Medical and Molecular Biosciences, completing a project in the replication of mitochondria during early embryo development. Outside of her PhD, Maria exercises her passion for science communication not only via her Instagram account (@ABioBlog) but also by writing for her blog (https://abioblog.wordpress.com [https://abioblog.wordpress.com/]). She is keen to improve science outreach in areas in the UK that experience deprivation and higher levels of unemployment, with the hope that this enhances access to STEM careers for women. Outside of science, Maria enjoys exploring the Northern countryside with her cockapoo, Monty.

Calories in and calories out with Dr Nicholas Norwitz

Dr. Nicholas Norwitz holds a PhD from Oxford University in ketogenic and brain metabolism, works as a metabolic health practitioner, conducts clinical research, writes papers, lectures on the international stage, and is now pursuing his MD at Harvard Medical School. In addition to Nick's, academic credentials he has a history of struggling with and overcoming life-threatening metabolic diseases. https://youtu.be/y2louDfTFt0 [https://youtu.be/y2louDfTFt0] - Story  https://newmediketo.com [https://newmediketo.com] - His website   https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/4/1362/htm [ https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/4/1362/htm] - His most recent paper

How do we measure the COVID-19 vaccine response with Dami Collier

Dami is a clinician-scientist with an interest in virology. She is currently doing a Ph.D. at UCL and is a visiting clinal research fellow at the University of Cambridge.  She has a background in epidemiology and has worked at Africa Health Research Institute where she worked on HIV central nervous system escape and HIV resistance. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has worked on SARS-COV-2, exploring the impact of viral evolution and the variants of concern on patient outcomes and vaccine response.

Life as a PhD student during COVID with Diana Dakik

Diana is a PhD student at the University of Surrey and is based at the Animal and Plant Health Agency working on characterizing equine immune cells and determining their interactions with viruses.

Cell replacement therapy as a treatment for type 1 diabetes with Katrina

Katrina is a Ph.D. student based at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. She's enrolled in a centre for doctoral training that combines medical research with business studies at the University of Edinburgh. She uses new microscopy techniques to study the pancreas and is interested in treating type one diabetes with cell replacement therapy.