Dr Ciorsdaidh Watts

  • Senior Lecturer (School of Chemistry)

telephone: 0141 330 7348
email: Ciorsdaidh.Watts@glasgow.ac.uk

Room A5-20, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ

Import to contacts

Biography

I studied Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, achieving a First Class degree (MChem with Industrial Placement) 2004-2009. I then completed my PhD at the University of Cambridge, in Chemical Biology and Cancer Research, under the supervision of Prof. Steven V Ley (Chemistry) and Prof. Duncan Jodrell (Clinical Biology / Cancer Research) 2009-2013.

From 2013-2015 I undertook post-doctoral positions in Cambridge and Glasgow (MVLS), focussing on Cancer Research.

I then moved into the area of Educational Pedagogy, and continue to work as a Lecturer in Organic Chemistry, with a particular interest in technology-enhanced learning, and innovative approaches to lab-based curriculum design.

I am also Mummy to our little girl, who is at the lovely toddler (relentless energy) stage.

Research interests

Cancer Research

Development of selective inhibitors of the kinesin HSET, towards our understanding of the fundamental chemical biology around centrosome clustering, mitosis, and cancer progression.

Chemistry Pedagogy

Championing student-focussed, student-led curriculum development, especially around lab-based support resources (for deeper learning, improved accessibility, active learning). Working with leading industrial partners, Learning Science, to develop, innovate, and deliver online interactive lab resources, including simulations, videos, quizzes, and Smart Worksheets.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2015 | 2013 | 2012 | 2009
Number of items: 15.

2020

Hussain, S. , Abbasi, Q. H. , Soler, L. , Watts, C., Yao, E. and Imran, M. (2020) Customised Student Learning. 13th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, 25 Aug 2020.

Watts, C., Soler, L. and Gray, J. (2020) Development of Online Support Material (Pre-lab Technical Films and Moodle Quizzes) to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. vVICEPHEC20: Variety in Chemistry Education and Physics Higher Education Conference, 17-21 Aug 2020. (Unpublished)

Watts, C., Soler, L. and Gray, J. (2020) Online Support Films and Moodle Quizzes to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. MICER: Methods in Chemistry Education Research, 09 Jun 2020. (Unpublished)

Watts, C., Soler, L. and Gray, J. (2020) Online Support Films and Moodle Quizzes to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. The Chemistry Laboratory: Evaluation, Assessment & Research Symposium (CLEAR20), 16 Apr 2020. (Unpublished)

Gray, J., Soler, L. and Watts, C. (2020) Student-led Development of Online Support Material (Pre-lab Technical Films and Moodle Quizzes) to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. 13th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, 01 Apr 2020.

2019

Watts, C. and Soler, L. (2019) Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Interactive Online Lab Environment to Support Undergraduate Chemistry Labs. European Variety in Chemistry Education 2019, Tuscany, Italy, 17-19 July 2019.

2018

Watts, C. (2018) Evaluation of a Laboratory VLE from the Student Perspective. Quality Assurance Agency 15th Enhancement Themes Conference, Glasgow, UK, 7th June 2018.

Bullon, J., McKenna, C., Soler, L. and Watts, C. (2018) Could e-learning Change How we Think About Scholarship and Teaching? 11th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, Glasgow, UK, 28-29 Mar 2018.

McKenna, C., Bullon, J., Eriksen, J., Watts, C. and Soler, L. (2018) Could e-learning Change How we Think About Scholarship and Teaching? Let's Talk About X 2018, Glasgow, UK, 13 Mar 2018. (Unpublished)

2017

Watts, C. and Soler, L. (2017) Auto-graded Lab Reports With Rapid, Effective Feedback in Organic Chemistry. 1st UofG CoSE L&T Community Event, Glasgow, UK, 03 Nov 2017. (Unpublished)

Terry, A., Kilbey, A., Naseer, A., Levy, L. S., Ahmad, S., Watts, C., Mackay, N., Cameron, E. , Wilson, S. and Neil, J. C. (2017) Barriers to infection of human cells by feline leukemia virus: insights into resistance to zoonosis. Journal of Virology, 91(5), e02119-16. (doi: 10.1128/JVI.02119-16) (PMID:28031367) (PMCID:PMC5309941)

2015

Naseer, A. et al. (2015) Frequent infection of human cancer xenografts with murine endogenous retroviruses in vivo. Viruses, 7(4), pp. 2014-2029. (doi: 10.3390/v7042014) (PMID:25912714) (PMCID:PMC4411688)

2013

Watts, C. A. et al. (2013) Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of an allosteric inhibitor of HSET that targets cancer cells with supernumerary centrosomes. Chemistry and Biology, 20(11), pp. 1399-1410. (doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.09.012) (PMID:24210220) (PMCID:PMC3898838)

2012

Beale, T. M. et al. (2012) A-ring dihalogenation increases the cellular activity of combretastatin-templated tetrazoles. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 3(3), pp. 177-181. (doi: 10.1021/ml200149g)

2009

Gourdet, B., Rudkin, M. E., Watts, C. A. and Lam, H. W. (2009) Preparation of multisubstituted enamides via rhodium-catalyzed carbozincation and hydrozincation of ynamides. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 74(20), pp. 7849-7858. (doi: 10.1021/jo901658v)

This list was generated on Thu Apr 18 20:10:42 2024 BST.
Jump to: Articles | Conference or Workshop Item
Number of items: 15.

Articles

Terry, A., Kilbey, A., Naseer, A., Levy, L. S., Ahmad, S., Watts, C., Mackay, N., Cameron, E. , Wilson, S. and Neil, J. C. (2017) Barriers to infection of human cells by feline leukemia virus: insights into resistance to zoonosis. Journal of Virology, 91(5), e02119-16. (doi: 10.1128/JVI.02119-16) (PMID:28031367) (PMCID:PMC5309941)

Naseer, A. et al. (2015) Frequent infection of human cancer xenografts with murine endogenous retroviruses in vivo. Viruses, 7(4), pp. 2014-2029. (doi: 10.3390/v7042014) (PMID:25912714) (PMCID:PMC4411688)

Watts, C. A. et al. (2013) Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of an allosteric inhibitor of HSET that targets cancer cells with supernumerary centrosomes. Chemistry and Biology, 20(11), pp. 1399-1410. (doi: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2013.09.012) (PMID:24210220) (PMCID:PMC3898838)

Beale, T. M. et al. (2012) A-ring dihalogenation increases the cellular activity of combretastatin-templated tetrazoles. ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 3(3), pp. 177-181. (doi: 10.1021/ml200149g)

Gourdet, B., Rudkin, M. E., Watts, C. A. and Lam, H. W. (2009) Preparation of multisubstituted enamides via rhodium-catalyzed carbozincation and hydrozincation of ynamides. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 74(20), pp. 7849-7858. (doi: 10.1021/jo901658v)

Conference or Workshop Item

Hussain, S. , Abbasi, Q. H. , Soler, L. , Watts, C., Yao, E. and Imran, M. (2020) Customised Student Learning. 13th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, 25 Aug 2020.

Watts, C., Soler, L. and Gray, J. (2020) Development of Online Support Material (Pre-lab Technical Films and Moodle Quizzes) to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. vVICEPHEC20: Variety in Chemistry Education and Physics Higher Education Conference, 17-21 Aug 2020. (Unpublished)

Watts, C., Soler, L. and Gray, J. (2020) Online Support Films and Moodle Quizzes to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. MICER: Methods in Chemistry Education Research, 09 Jun 2020. (Unpublished)

Watts, C., Soler, L. and Gray, J. (2020) Online Support Films and Moodle Quizzes to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. The Chemistry Laboratory: Evaluation, Assessment & Research Symposium (CLEAR20), 16 Apr 2020. (Unpublished)

Gray, J., Soler, L. and Watts, C. (2020) Student-led Development of Online Support Material (Pre-lab Technical Films and Moodle Quizzes) to Facilitate Transition into Year 1 Chemistry. 13th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, 01 Apr 2020.

Watts, C. and Soler, L. (2019) Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of an Interactive Online Lab Environment to Support Undergraduate Chemistry Labs. European Variety in Chemistry Education 2019, Tuscany, Italy, 17-19 July 2019.

Watts, C. (2018) Evaluation of a Laboratory VLE from the Student Perspective. Quality Assurance Agency 15th Enhancement Themes Conference, Glasgow, UK, 7th June 2018.

Bullon, J., McKenna, C., Soler, L. and Watts, C. (2018) Could e-learning Change How we Think About Scholarship and Teaching? 11th Annual University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, Glasgow, UK, 28-29 Mar 2018.

McKenna, C., Bullon, J., Eriksen, J., Watts, C. and Soler, L. (2018) Could e-learning Change How we Think About Scholarship and Teaching? Let's Talk About X 2018, Glasgow, UK, 13 Mar 2018. (Unpublished)

Watts, C. and Soler, L. (2017) Auto-graded Lab Reports With Rapid, Effective Feedback in Organic Chemistry. 1st UofG CoSE L&T Community Event, Glasgow, UK, 03 Nov 2017. (Unpublished)

This list was generated on Thu Apr 18 20:10:42 2024 BST.

Grants

  • ALDinHE - 2016
  • LTDF - 2018
  • LTDF - 2019
 

 

Teaching

  • Lecturer - Year 1 (Macromolecules), Year 4 (Medicinal Chemistry of Cancer)
  • Tutor - Year 2, Year 3, Year 4 Organic Chemistry Project
  • Supervisor
  • Year 4 Research Projects Lab Head
  • Organic-3 Laboratory Online Lab Provision Coordinator School of Chemistry
  • Chemistry Research Skills Lab Co-ordinator
  • Postgraduate Taught Masters in Chemical Biology
  • Adviser of Studies - Year 1 to Year 4

Additional information

Awards and Grants

  • 2019-20: Nomination, Best Adviser of Studies, SRC Awards
  • 2018-19: 11th University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference Best Lightning Talk Award
  • 2018-19: CoSE Teaching Excellence Award for innovative approaches to online lab delivery
  • 2017-18: 10th University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference Best Presentation Award (joint student-staff proposal)
  • 2017-18: Shortlisted for Student Partnerships in Quality Education (sparqs) Student Engagement Award for “a co-curricular initiative that has had an impact across the college or university”
  • 2017-18: Chancellor’s Fund grant award for internationalisation project
  • 2017-18: College funding of £35,280 for two-year laboratory VLE design and implementation project  
  • 2013-14: EPSRC Interdisciplinary Pump-priming grant (£8500) for development of HSET inhibitor (CW069) biological evaluation

Selected Presentations

Watts, C., Soler, L. Student-led development of online support material (pre-lab technical films and Moodle quizzes) to facilitate transition into Year 1 Chemistry. CERP Online Conference (June 2020). 

Watts, C., Soler, L., Gray, J. Student-led development of online support material (pre-lab technical films and Moodle quizzes) to facilitate transition into Year 1 Chemistry. University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference (April 2020). 

Watts, C. Design, implementation, and evaluation of an interactive online lab environment to support undergraduate chemistry labs. Paper presented at the Eurovariety International Chemistry Education Conference, Florence (July 2019). 

Watts, C. Evaluation of a laboratory VLE from the student perspective. Paper presented at the QAA 15th Enhancement Conference, Glasgow Caledonian University (June 2018).

Watts, C. Developing an interactive virtual lab environment for undergraduate organic chemistry. Lightning talk presented at the 11th University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Glasgow (March 2018).

Watts, C. Auto-graded lab reports with rapid, effective feedback. Paper presented at RSC Teaching Fellow Network Meeting, University of Hull (Jan 2018).

Watts, C., and Thistlethwaite, I. Designing and developing auto-graded lab reports with rapid and effective feedback for year 3 chemistry practicals. Paper presented at Variety in Chemistry Education and Physics Higher Education Conference, University of York (Aug 2017).

Watts, C. Student-led development of Year 3 organic lab techniques films. Paper presented at RSC Teaching Fellow Network Meeting, University of Oxford (Jan 2017).

Collins, B., McComb, K., McGrath, L., Reilly, J., Paschke, B., and Watts, C. Student-led development of chemistry lab techniques films. Paper presented at the 10th University of Glasgow Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Glasgow (March 2017).

Collins, B., McComb, K., McGrath, L., Reilly, J., Paschke, B., and Watts, C. Student-led development of chemistry lab techniques films. Paper presented at the sparqs Conference, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2017).


A portrait of Ciorsdaidh Watts