My main interest consists in the study of molecular and signalling pathways leading to cell dysfunction related to Human diseases.

After completing my PhD in 2011 on the mitochondrial proteome in cell models of Parkinson’s disease, at Nottingham Trent University, I went on specialising in using proteomics and metabolomics tools to study a range of diseases for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

I carried out biomarker discovery in biological fluids in relevance to pre-eclampsia (Nottingham Trent University), childhood malaria (NIMR, London) and mitochondrial inherited optic atrophies using mass spectrometry and immunoarray platforms. I have also used metabolomics and proteomics platforms to study molecular pathways of neurodegeneration and brain tumours (Newcastle University).

I am now using next-generation 'omics' tools to study the cellular, tissue and organ remodelling events that occur in the mother and fetus during pregnancy. 

Spontaneous preterm birth has remained for many decades the major pregnancy complication associated with serious ill-health or death for newborns. There is no broadly effective drug that can reliably prevent premature contractions of the uterus without adverse side effects for the mother or baby. By studying the differences in proteome in uterine tissue, uterine and placental blood vessels, we seek to contribute to the development of new strategies to more specifically target uterine smooth muscle and thereby lead to better approaches for treating spontaneous preterm birth.