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.
- Selective targeting of furin for the treatment of fibrotic lung 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
Name: Xuan Ouyang
PhD title: Targeting allergen-associated proteases and airways remodeling in allergic asthma.
Years of Study: 2019-2023
Country: China
Name: Bethany Montgomery
PhD title: The inhibition of furin as a strategy for the treatment of cystic fibrosis airways disease.
Years of Study: 2021-2024
Country: Northern Ireland
Name: Amy Hendren
PhD title: Targeting deubiquitinases for the treatment of airway diseases.
Years of Study: 2021-2024
Country: Northern Ireland
Alumni: Where are they now
Name: Suhad Bani Melhim
PhD title: An investigation of the cellular effect of multi-drug combinations in cystic fibrosis
Years of Study: 2018-2022
Country: Jordan
Current position: Assistant Professor, Biochemistry/Biological Chemistry, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hashemite University, Jordan.
Name: Dr Lisa Douglas
PhD title: Putting a CAP on ENaC: A mechanism to rehydrate the airways and restore mucociliary function in cystic fibrosis
Years of Study: 2015-2018
Country: Northern Ireland
Current position: Post-doctoral Research Fellow, School of Pharmacy, QUB
Name: Dr Timothy Ferguson
PhD title: The design, synthesis and evaluation of novel inhibitors and activity-based probes targeting serine proteases in cystic fibrosis
Years of Study: 2012-2015
Country: Northern Ireland