My research is centred on developing advanced nanoparticle platforms for targeted delivery within the brain, with a particular emphasis on liposomal and polymeric systems. A key focus is the design of nanoparticles functionalised with specific ligands, such as transferrin and alternative receptor-targeting strategies, to enhance blood–brain barrier transport and optimise encapsulation efficiency, biodistribution, and safety. In parallel, I have a strong interest in organellespecific delivery, especially to mitochondria, where liposomal formulations are engineered to modulate bioenergetic processes. This work addresses fundamental questions about how nanoparticle properties and targeting strategies influence biological interactions at both cellular and subcellular levels. In my lab, we combine nanoparticle fabrication, quantitative in vitro assays, and in vivo pharmacokinetic modelling, aiming to establish core design principles for effective central nervous system and mitochondrial delivery systems.
Scientific Inspiration
Early in my scientific journey, I was inspired by Charles Darwin, whose ability to observe, question, and systematically describe the natural world laid the foundations for modern biology. More recently, I find inspiration in the work of Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier, whose pioneering contributions to CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing have transformed the life sciences. Her creativity, resilience, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of discovery reflect the spirit of innovation and perseverance that I aim to bring into my own research and mentorship.
In three words or phrases: Supportive, technique-oriented, collaborative
Provision of Training
I provide structured technical training initially, often through hands-on lab sessions led by experienced postdocs or senior PhD students, with a transition toward independent project planning and execution as the student gains competence.
Progression Monitoring and Management
I set clear milestones at the start of each experimental phase, expecting regular updates and evidence of progress. If agreed targets are not met, we'll collaboratively adjust strategies and timelines to keep the project moving forward. I focus on my student's well-being and I tailor my supervision and mentorship to the students needs and not my own.
Communication
I keep open communication with my students via email and by mobile phone if they prefer. I work on an open door policy so my students can come to me whether they need me. I set weekly meetings to keep track on the progress of the study. However, this is not limited, students are always welcomed whether they have a research query or require pastoral support.
Meetings
PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.
Work Patterns
Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.
Notice Period for Feedback
I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.
MIBTP Project Details
Primary supervisor for:
See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.
Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).
Rational discovery of lipid-selective small-molecule recognition of cardiolipin-containing membranes
Biological membranes are chemically heterogeneous, yet synthetic small molecules are rarely designed to recognise membranes on the basis of lipid composition. This project will test whether simple aromatic small molecules can show measurable, reproducible and tunable selectivity for cardiolipin-containing membranes, using defined liposome systems as experimentally tractable models.
Cardiolipin is a distinctive tetra-acyl phospholipid enriched in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it contributes to membrane curvature, respiratory chain organisation and mitochondrial function. Its unusual structure and mitochondrial localisation make it an ideal model lipid for investigating whether lipid identity can encode chemical selectivity. The student will prepare control and cardiolipin-containing liposomes, characterise vesicle size and stability, and quantify small-molecule association using centrifugation-based partitioning with UV-Vis and/or LC-MS detection. A panel of commercially available aromatic compounds will be used, allowing the project to focus on systematic assay development, quantitative comparison and structure-activity interpretation.
The project will establish whether lipid composition alone can drive selective molecular association and will identify preliminary structural features associated with cardiolipin preference. If successful, the work will provide foundational design principles for lipid-selective chemical probes, with future applications in mitochondrial biology, membrane organisation studies and targeted molecular delivery.
