I did my PhD with Alan Dawson in Norwich. I tried to define the role of inositol phosphates in the regulation of receptor-mediated calcium homeostasis. I also began to develop the appreciation that to understand a complex process you must have a strong underlying molecular foundation. To expand my training, I did a post-doc with Robin Irvine in Cambridge where I learned about protein purification and molecular cloning .

In starting my own laboratory in Bristol, we initially continued to examine the role of phosphoinositides in receptor signalling. In 2002, we chose to re-focus our research into trying to define the role phosphoinositides in orchestrating the sorting of integral proteins through the endosomal network.

Our strength now is to combine the molecular identification of multi-protein endosomal sorting complexes with their quantitative functional analysis in vitro and more recently in vivo in the context of Drosophila development and physiology. We are also extended our interests into understanding why de-regulation of endosomal-lysosomal sorting is observed in an array of neurodegenerative disease.  

I started as a post-doc in the Cullen lab at the end of 2021 following my PhD at University College London. In my PhD I was working on a genetic risk factor for human prion disease sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease called STX6 which was involved in protein transport through the endolysosomal pathway, which sparked my interest in the common role this pathway plays in the development of various neurodegenerative diseases.

In Pete’s lab, I am now focussing on understanding Retromer perturbations in neurodegeneration including in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, through manipulation expression of this and the related sorting nexin proteins in primary neuronal cells and immortalised cell lines. In my spare time I am currently learning to Irish dance, and at the weekends I like to explore the local countryside on foot or by bike.

Although my undergraduate studies were focused upon environmental sciences, a final year project presented me with the opportunity to be part of a core Biochemistry project and ultimately led to me completing an MSc in Molecular and Cell biology, working as a Research Assistant studying actin dynamics, completing my doctoral studies and becoming part of the Cullen lab in which I am currently employed as a Research Fellow.

Herein, I have developed a passion for studying and furthering our understanding of the endosomal network and how this highly dynamic system of spatially, morphologically and functionally distinct compartments contributes to cellular homeostasis and how perturbations within it illicit a wide range of distinct diseases.

The complexity and fluidity of the endosomal network make it challenging to both study and understand and I relish being part of a community that is attempting to resolve its intricacies from a perspective of purely enjoying intellectual discovery to the opportunity for our research to contribute towards novel therapeutic approaches in context of disease prevention and treatment.

Currently I am using a combinatorial approach of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (including proteomics, genetics, cell culture, compartment isolation and microscopy) to understand how peripherally localized sorting machineries such as the Sorting Nexins and Retromer operate within the endosomal network and how their relationship with the endo-lysosomal system underpins a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.

We are fortunate enough to have some of the most talented post-doctoral researchers and students from all over the world pass through our doors and the chance to be a part of their progression and training, prior to watching their careers progress is something that I will never get bored of and serves to create an extremely inspiring environment in which to work. 

I did my PhD on protein trafficking using yeast as model system to understand the role of Exomer complex and its relationship with GGAs and Clathrin Adaptor complex 1. After that, I moved to the Cullen lab to learn molecular genetics in human cell lines likewise to develop new methods for proteomics at the endosomal hub.

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I am delving into the mechanisms of protein trafficking at endosomes and why this multifaceted phenomenon seems to be implicated in a wide range of diseases, such as neurodegeneration.

I am setting up new molecular genetic tools, like proximity labelling proteomics, to undercover new roles for proteins already implicated in trafficking as well as discover new effectors in this process.

During my PhD studies at Université Paris-Saclay and the Institut Jacques Monod, I investigated the mechanisms by which amphipathic helices target and coat lipid droplets. This research involved biochemical reconstitution in vitro systems and light microscopy in yeast.

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Building on my interest in membranes and membrane proteins, I am currently working in Pete's lab, focusing on the molecular basis of endosomal SNX-BAR protein function in cargo recycling. This research combines cell biology and proteomics in mammalian cells with biochemistry and in vitro reconstitution methods

I completed my medical training in Japan and spent 8 years practising as a paediatrician, before joining the lab July 2021.

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I am interested in the functional role of endosomal recycling system in human development. Also, how it works in maintenance of matured tissues and cells like neurons.

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I carried out my DPhil studies in Ervin Fodor's laboratory at the Dunn School of Pathology in Oxford, where I focussed on biochemically characterising the RNA polymerase enzymes of influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2. In 2021 I began a short postdoc at the University of Bristol with Yohei Yamauchi, which further developed my virology expertise, before making the move to Pete Cullen's Lab in November 2022.

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My current project involves expressing and purifying the large macromolecular complexes involved in coordinating endosomal cargo sorting, which draws on my biochemical background. I am also following up on my interest in virology by investigating the interplay between endosomal biology and virus infections.

I completed my Integrated BSc-MSc degree in Biological Sciences from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali, India. I was actively a part of the wet lab for three years where I worked on the roles of small GTPases in regulating endocytic traffic towards lysosomes. 

Soon after completion of my Master's, I joined Pete Cullen's lab at the University of Bristol in October 2021 where I am pursuing my PhD on the structural assembly and functional role of multi-protein complexes which plays an essential role in endosomal cargo sorting.

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Apart from this, I enjoy taking care of my lovely plant babies and like to keep my book updated on good food places!

I completed a BSc in Microbiology at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, followed by a Master’s in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Helsinki, Finland, with a focus on Cell and Developmental Biology. My research during this time explored the interactions between various organellar systems.

Currently, I am a final-year PhD student in the Cullen lab, studying the SNX17-Commander pathway.

I completed my Biochemistry with Study in Industry (BSc) here at Bristol and have remained at the university for my PhD.

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I am currently on the Wellcome Trust Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology (4-year) PhD Programme and interested in the interplay between the endolysosomal network and neurodegenerative disease. In particular, the mechanism behind an endosomal cytopathology associated with Alzheimer's disease.

In my spare time I enjoy playing hockey.

After obtaining my Biochemistry BSc at UCL I joined the University of Bristol for the MRes with Dr Girish Mali as my supervisor. Here I had the task of elucidating the assembly of axonemal dynein which granted me the experience to acquire my current position on the Wellcome Trust Dynamic Molecular Cell Biology (4-year) PhD Programme in Prof Pete Cullen's lab. My project entails developing an in vitro reconstitution system of endosomal retrieval to dissect how multiprotein complexes interact with lipid membranes. This work may shed light on abnormalities observed in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's so needless to say I am very excited!