My research interests lie in elucidating the mechanistic functional details of transmembrane and membrane-associated proteins, that do important jobs in the cell, both in health and disease. To date I have predominantly focused on membrane transporter proteins of the ABC superfamily (ATP Binding Cassette), and proteins involved in cellular trafficking, but recently I have expanded this to include secondary active transporters, ion channels and GPCRs (G-protein coupled receptors). By fully understanding exactly how a protein works, we can begin to understand how it goes wrong in disease states and how we might be able to target it therapeutically. To carry out this work I am really keen to develop new methods and techniques that enable us to answer important questions about the target protein, and as such have played a major role in developing the SMALP (styrene maleic acid lipid particle) technology for membrane protein extraction, purification, structural and functional characterization. This approach is now taking off around the world and has led to numerous new collaborations both within academia and industry.

• Aug 2023 - present. Reader in Biochemistry. Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
• Aug 2019 - 2023. Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry. Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
• Jan 2010 – Aug 2019: Lecturer in Biochemistry. Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
• Sept 2007 – Dec 2009: Post-doctoral researcher, Dept. Biological Sciences, Warwick University, Coventry, UK. “Elucidating the mechanism of Hsc70 mediated clathrin cage disassembly”
• May 2004 – Aug 2007: Post-doctoral fellow, Cancer Research Institute, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada. Recipient of a CIHR (Canadian Institutes Health Research) fellowship.  "The varied roles of GSH in MRP1 transport".

• Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Higher Education (PGCPP) with Distinction. Aston University, Birmingham. 2012-2013
• DPhil, in Biochemistry. Nuffield Dept. Clinical Lab. Sciences, University of Oxford. 2000-2004. Thesis title: "TM6 of P-gp: Changes in topography during the catalytic cycle"
• MBiochem honours (2.1), in Biochemistry. Brasenose College, University of Oxford. 1996-2000

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Biochemical Society - Member of the 'Molecular Structure & Function' Research Area committee.
• The Protein Society
• British Pharmacological Society
• CBMNet

BSc Biological Sciences/Biomedical Science

BB4BMC - Biomolecules. Module coordinator.

BB6CAN - Cancer Biology.

BSc Biochemistry

BB4BMC - Biomolecules. Module coordinator.

BC4MOM - Molecular Metabolism.

BC5PSF - Protein Structure & Function. Module coordinator.

BC5MEM - Cell Membranes.

BC6ACM - Advanced Cell Membranes.

Programme Director for BSc Biochemistry

Phone number: +44 (0)121 204 4013 
Email: [email protected]
Room number: MB455