Precision Biosciences Innovation Hub
Precision Biosciences Innovation Hub

Our people

Meet the experts working in our interdisciplinary team.

Dr Nicole Prior

Lecturer

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Nicole

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 23 8059 4222

ORCID

Professor Nullin Divecha

Professor of Cellular Signalling

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Nullin

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 23 8059 9007

Dr Owen Rackham MSc, PhD

Associate Professor

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Owen

Email: [email protected]

ORCID

Professor Paul Elkington

Director of Inst. for Medical Innovation

Research interests

  • tuberculosis
  • immunopathology
  • diagnosis

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Paul

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 2381205928

ORCID

Professor Paul Skipp

Professor of Proteomics

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Paul

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 23 8059 4204

ORCID

Professor Peter Smith BSc, PhD, MA, FRSB

Professor of Life Sciences
Connect with Peter

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 23 8059 6701

ORCID

Professor Phil Williamson

Head of School

Research interests

  • Molecular processes underpinning neurodegenerative disease
  • Structure and function of cell membranes
  • Development and application of solid-state NMR and other biophysical techniques for the analysis of biological systems

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Phil

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 23 8059 4350

ORCID

Professor Ratko Djukanovic

Professor of Medicine

Research interests

  • Professor Djukanovic has a lifelong interest in asthma, especially its severe forms. where his focus is on: 1) underlying pathobiological mechanisms of asthma, 2) stratification of asthma into clinical phenotypes and mechanism-based endotypes, 3) unmet needs of severe asthma management. He also has an interest in the mechanisms and treatments of severe viral infections of the lung.
  • Underlying mechanisms of asthma: Professor Djukanovic has conducted pioneer studies into the pathology of asthma, applying research bronchoscopy  (with endobronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage) and sputum induction. He led the initial task forces which defined the use of these two techniques, thereby paving the way for standardised research approches that enabled in-depth descriptions of the roles of various inflammatory cells and their mediators. He developed an explant model, consisting of bronchial biopsies placed into tissue culture, that could be stimulated ex vivo with relevant triggers, applying as needed, novel agents not yet approved for in vivo use in humans volunteers. 
  • Stratification of asthma into clinical phenotypes and mechanism-based endotypes: Professor Djukanovic led the discovery of biomarkers using omics technology (transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, breathomics). After the first ever study of transcriptomics biomarkers in the epithelium of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), together with a colleague from Amsterdam and two colleagues from Imperial College, London, he created a large (€27 milllion) programme for severe asthma (U-BIOPRED), funded by the EU Innovative Medicines Initiative. This has resulted in more than 100 publications, providing insight into novel phenotypes and endotypes of asthma.
Connect with Ratko

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 2381204404

ORCID
LinkedIn
Twitter

Dr Richard Meek

Senior Research Fellow

Research interests

  • Eukaryotic Glycobiology
  • Carbohydrate-active Enzymes
  • Post-translational Modifications

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Richard

Email: [email protected]

ORCID

Professor Rob Ewing

Professor

Accepting applications from PhD students

Connect with Rob

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 23 8059 4401

ORCID