Research Interests
Open to PhD applications in the field of:
Chronic airways diseases, to include cystic fibrosis, COPD, bronchiectasis & asthma, with a particular emphasis on:
- Proteases as potential biomarkers and therapeutics targets;
- Ion channel modulation, airways hydration & mucociliary clearance;
- Infection and inflammation.
Current Research Opportunities
- Selective targeting of proteases for the treatment of chronic airways disease.
- Investigation of novel protease-antiprotease imbalances associated with chronic airways disease.
Public outreach & key achievements
- Vice-Chancellor’s Research Culture Prize (2020)
- Vice-Chancellor’s announcement
- BREATH Research Culture video (below)
- Asthma/COPD Project of the Year, NI Healthcare Award, 2019
- Vice-Chancellor’s Research Impact Prize (2016)
- Award of €7.7M EU funding for fight against lung disease (BREATH)
- New Discovery in Combatting Cystic Fibrosis
- Founding CEO of ProAxsis Ltd
- Winner of NISP Connect 25K Award
Research students
PhD Title | Modulation of ENaC and mucociliary clearance in COPD |
Name | Emma Carroll |
Country | 2017-2021 |
Year of Study | Northern Ireland |
PhD Title | An investigation of the cellular effect of multi-drug combinations in cystic fibrosis |
Name | Suhad Bani Melhim |
Country | Jordan |
Year of Study | 2018-2021 |
PhD Title | Targeting allergen-associated proteases and airways remodeling in allergic asthma |
Name | Xuan Ouyang |
Country | China |
Year of Study | 2019-2022 |
PhD Title |
The inhibition of furin as a strategy for the treatment of cystic fibrosis
|
Name |
Bethany Montgomery
|
Country | Northern Ireland |
Year of Study |
2021-2024
|
Alumni: Where are they now
PhD Title | Putting a CAP on ENaC: A mechanism to rehydrate the airways and restore mucociliary function in cystic fibrosis |
Name | Dr Lisa Douglas |
Year of Study | 2015-2018 |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Current Position | Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, QUB |
PhD Title | The design, synthesis and evaluation of novel inhibitors and activity-based probes targeting serine proteases in cystic fibrosis |
Name | Dr Timothy Ferguson |
Year of Study | 2012-2015 |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Current Position | Head of Chemistry, ProAxsis Ltd. |
PhD Title | The development of an advanced protease capture material for the treatment of chronic wounds |
Name | Dr Charlene Robb |
Year of Study | 2011-2015 |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Current Position | Regulatory Affairs Officer at Almac Group |