I graduated in 2024 with an MSci in Biochemistry from Lancaster University. It was during my time there that I realized I hadn’t yet had enough of studying… I was fortunate to participate in several projects that I found exciting and developed good relationships with my supervisors. In fact, it was through them that I first heard about NWBio - an opportunity I’m glad to have discovered.
I am currently based at the University of Glasgow in Professor Paula da Fonseca’s lab, where my research focuses on better understanding the evolution of the eukaryotic ubiquitin-proteasome system. This system acts as the cell’s protein waste disposal centre: proteins are tagged with ubiquitin, which signals their degradation by the proteasome complex. Given its importance, dysregulation of this system is implicated in various diseases, making it essential to gain a deeper understanding of this complex.
Eukaryotes are hypothesised to have evolved from the archaeal domain of life, with archaea encoding many proteins previously thought to be specific to eukaryotes. We are particularly interested in proteasome assembly and function in archaea, where the proteasomes - and the processes involved in their assembly - become increasingly complex as they are more closely related to the proposed eukaryotic progenitor. Our aim is to sequentially build up the characterization of archaeal proteasomes.
Outside the lab, I enjoy socializing with friends and maintaining an active lifestyle, partly to counterbalance the time I spend at pubs - playing darts…