Staff Profiles

Staff Profile

I come from a predominantly biomedical research background, having obtained a BSc Hons (Cell and Immuno Biology) at Aberystwyth University in Wales in 1986 and completed a PhD in Parasitology at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, University in Glasgow in 1994, where I then took up a research post. From 1996-2010 I was based at the University of Edinburgh, where I was responsible for a number of biomedical science research projects focussing on the analysis of host responses to human (e.g. Trichinella spiralis) and veterinary (Teladorsagia circumcincta) gastrointestinal nematode parasites, and have published substantially in these fields. From October 2004 my main role was in the supervision and training of veterinary and immunology research students, as part of the Veterinary Research and Training Initiative at the University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute and the Moredun Institute. I moved into undergraduate teaching in the Biomedical Sciences from October 2010, mostly at the University of Glasgow but also Glasgow Caledonian University, and spent some short periods as a volunteer tutor at a charity nursing school in Bihar, India, which led to my interest in working overseas.

I joined the team at NUMed in August 2014. At NUMed I teach mostly on the Biomedical Science programme (Stages 1&2) as well as delivering a series of microbiology lectures for Stages 1& 2 of MBBS.  My subject areas which I teach at NUMed are Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology/Parasitology, Bioethics and Practical Skills in the Biosciences. I am module lead for three Practical Skills modules on the BMS programme: Professional and Practical Skills in the Biomedical Sciences (BMN1011: co-module lead), Essential Biomedical Research Skills (BMN2000) and Practical and Presentation Skills (BMN2013) as well as Chair of the NUMed Stage 2 Pre-Board of Examiners. I completed the Advance HE External Examiners training programme (March 22) and currently hold an External Examiners position with a UK university as well as acting as an independent assessor at several student symposia in Malaysia. I am also a member of the Newcastle University Ethics Committee and the NUMed Career Support Team.

At NUMed I enjoy teaching students from a range of backgrounds, and it is particularly rewarding to see students who overcome challenges, build their knowledge and practical skills and derive satisfaction from what they are achieving. Other likes: walking, hiking and wildlife, and Malaysian, Indian and Chinese food!

Current education research projects (see under Research)

- Supporting the development of laboratory report writing skills in Biomedical Science students

- Student engagement with online resources to support practical laboratory classes in the Biomedical Sciences (& ongoing ERDP funded research project between Newcastle University and LearnSci https://www.learnsci.com)

- Evaluation of science student perceptions of the subject of Ethics (ERDP funding Jan 23)

Qualifications

2022: Advance HE External Examiners training programme completion certificate (March 22)

2017: Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice (CASAP) as a distance participant with Newcastle University UK. Awarded 10/17 after completion of the Academic Practice project (APP) module. Other modules achieved were Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) June 2015, and Newcastle Teaching Award after completion of the module Designer, Supervisor, Tutor (DST) module in May 2016.  Gained UKPSF Descriptor 2 recognition and HEA Fellowship status (Ref. no. PR138206, awarded 05/12/17).

2014: Post Experience Certificate in Supporting Student Learning (SSL), Glasgow Caledonian University, 25/11/14.  Gained UKPSF Descriptor 1 recognition and HEA Associate Fellow status (Ref. no. PR076641, awarded 04/11/14) 

1993: Ph.D. in Veterinary Parasitology, University of Glasgow 11/93.   Title: “The characterisation of Theileria annulata sporozoite surface antigens”. (BBSRC CASE award; supervisor Prof. A. Tait)

1988: B.Sc. (Hons (2i)) Cell and Immunobiology, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth

Memberships: QRAM, MSBMB, Malaysian Microbiology Society

Current Education Research areas and outputs

Transnational perceptions of online resource utility in supporting Biomedical Science students' practical and professional skill development (Co-applicants: Harley Stevenson-Cocks (CMB1011 co-module lead Newcastle UK); Nadine Nograles (BMN1011 co-module lead, NUMed); External collaborator: Emily Coyte (LearnSci: educational resource company). Outputs:

• Successfully awarded a Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Sciences Educational Research, Development and Practice grant 10 Jan 2024, which funded four student interns at NUMed and Newcastle UK (two interns at each campus). Project completion date Dec 25.
• Poster presentation and participation in person at the Advance HE “Teaching in the Spotlight” Teaching and Learning Conference, Keele University UK, 4-6 July 2023
• Finalist for Teaching Innovation Awards LearnSci (certificate awarded 300124)
• Poster presentations for Newcastle University Learning and Teaching Conference 2024 (18 April 2024; presented by HSC on groups behalf) and 2025 (3^rd April 2025; attending online but poster to be presented by student intern team). 
• Paper in preparation

·     

Evaluations of Stage 2 Biomedical Science student perceptions and understanding of the subject of Ethics at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) and Newcastle University (NCL) UK (in collaboration with Dr Vanessa Armstrong, Module Lead CMB2000 and Dr Jan Deckers, Senior Lecturer in Bioethics, Newcastle UK. Outputs:

• Successfully awarded a Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Sciences Educational Research, Development and Practice grant 16 Jan 2023 currently funding two student interns at NUMed (project completion date Dec 24; extension granted Dec 23)
• Oral presentation (online lightning talk) at the Newcastle University Learning and Teaching Conference 2023 on 300323
• Oral presentation and participation in person at the Advance HE “Teaching in the Spotlight” Teaching and Learning Conference, Keele University UK, 4-6 July 2023
• Paper in preparation

Supporting the development of undergraduate research skills in the Biomedical Sciences at an international branch campus (developed from CASAP Academic Practice project 2017). Outputs:

• Research paper published: Knight, P. A. (2025). Supporting the development of undergraduate research skills in the biomedical sciences at an international branch campus. Research in Science & Technological Education, 1–24.  https://doi.org/10.1080/02635143.2025.2469070   
• Poster presentation at the International Science Education Conference 2018, Singapore

General student academic research writing support. Outputs:

• Oon, S. J. Q. and Knight P. A. (2025). The Possibilities of Finding a Cure for HIV: A Literature Review. Advanced Journal of Graduate Research. 16(1), 23–37. (preprint 08/04/2025) https://doi.org/10.21467/ajgr.16.1.23-37

Key Scientific Research Publications (+40 publications)

Knight, P.A. et al (2011) Novel gene expression responses in the ovine abomasal mucosa to infection with the gastric nematode Teladorsagia circumcincta. Veterinary Research 42:78.

Knight, P.A., Brown, J.K., and Pemberton, A.D. (2008) Innate immune response mechanisms in the intestinal epithelium; potential roles for mast cells and goblet cells in the expulsion of Trichinella spiralis adult worms. (invited review) Parasitology. 135: 655.

Knight, P.A., Brown, J.K., Wright, S.H., Thornton, E.M., Pate, J.A. and Miller, H.R.P. (2007) Aberrant mucosal mast cell protease expression in the enteric epithelium of nematode-infected mice lacking integrin αvβ1, a TGF-β₁ activator. American Journal of Pathology. 171:,1237.

Knight, P.A., Pemberton, A. D., Robertson, K. A., Roy, D. J., Wright, S. H. and Miller, H.R.P. (2004) Expression profiling reveals novel innate and inflammatory responses in the jejunal epithelial compartment during infection with Trichinella spiralis. Infection and Immunity. 72: 6076.

Knight, P. A., Wright, S. H., Lawrence, C. E., Paterson, Y. Y., and Miller, H.R.P. (2000) Delayed expulsion of the nematode Trichinella spiralis in mice lacking the mucosal mast cell-specific granule chymase, mouse mast cell protease-1. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 192:1849.

Main teaching responsibilities at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia

Biomedical Science teaching

Module leader

BMN1011: Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists (co module lead)

BMN2000: Essential Biomedical Research Skills

BMN2013: Practical and Presentation Skills in Biomedical Sciences

Stage 1 teaching

BMN1001: Biochemistry - Nucleic acid biochemistry

BMN1011: Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists- laboratory practical techniques and professional skills such as report writing and literature searching

BMN1003: Genetics- Model Organisms/Gene Transcription

BMN1002: Cell Biology - Cell Cycle

BMN1005: Microbiology- Bacteriology/ Virology

BMN1007: Physiology- Gut physiology

Stage 2 teaching

BMN2000: Essential Biomedical Research Skills – Molecular biology techniques, Bioethics

BMN2006: Cell Biology and Disease – Cell Cycle control

BMN2013: Practical and Presentation Skills in Biomedical Sciences - laboratory practicals / lab seminars on Microbiology and Epidemiology, Oral Presentation Skills

MBBS teaching

Cases 8, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18: Microbiology