Postgraduate research
We welcome applications from students interested in MSc and PhD research. You will have the opportunity to perform research in pharmacology, neuropharmacology and cell signaling with acknowledged experts in these areas.
The pharmacology group provides full facilities for postgraduate research students including full supervising support covering a wide range of physiological, pharmacological and molecular methods.
Current PhD students
Mrs Estabraq Jaddoa
Project title: Analysis of rat brain lipids and metabolites after antidepressant drug treatment
Mr Lukasz Lagojda
Project title: Investigating the Regulation of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels in The Cerebellum of a Phencyclidine-Induced Model of Schizophrenia
Mr Adesina Omoloye
Project title: Gut peptides; Signalling and Neuromodulation in Brain regions associated with reward and cognition processes
Miss Rubab Talpur
Project title: The impact of Mitochondrial stress signalling and DNA damage on ageing of brain cells
Mr Simon Wheeler
Project title: Roles and subcellular localisations of sphingolipids in neurodegenerative disorders
Awarded PhDs
Natalia Chira, 2018
Emmanuel Quansah, 2017
Mathieu Di Miceli, 2016
Zhong Cheng, 2011
Yi Luo, 2009
Cheryl Collins, 2009
Somchaiya Surichan, 2008
Rebecca C Allsopp, 2006
Kathryn S Saadat, 2006
Georgina De Foubert, 2005
James C Aston, 2005
Pamela J White, 2005
Ahmad A Khundakar, 2004
Stephen A Bennett, 2005
Thomas J R Beveridge, 2003
Chun Guo, 2002
Annis O Mechan, 2001
Rachael M Nelson, 2001
Examples of career pathways after PhD
Natalia Chira, 2018
Thesis title: DMD gene expression and function in immune cells.
Current: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Portsmouth, UK, investigating effects of DMD mutations in animal models.
Emmanuel Quansah, 2017
Thesis title: “Molecular and Neurochemical Effects of Methylphenidate on the Developing Brain”
Current: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Van Andel Research Institute, Michigan, USA, investigating molecular mechanism of neurodegenerative diseases
Mathieu Di Miceli, 2016
Thesis title: “The impact of psychostimulant administration during development on adult brain functions controlling motivation, impulsivity and cognition”
Current: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Bordeaux, France, investigating the role of omega 3 rich diet on endocannabinoid function
Stephen A Bennett, 2005
Thesis title: “An investigation into the modulation of dopamine neurotransmission by typical antipsychotic agents and glycine B receptor agonists”
Current: Advanced specialist Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber for paediatric critical care, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester; Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Leicester School of Pharmacy, 51Âþ»
Previous: Clinical Pharmacist, NHS and private companies
Ahmad A Khundakar, 2004
Thesis title: “The effect of antidepressant treatment on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the rat hippocampus”
Current: Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at Teesside University
Previous: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University; Medical writer on behalf of pharmaceutical/medical clients
Thomas J R Beveridge, 2003
Thesis title: “An investigation into the neuronal activity induced by direct and indirect 5-HT2 agonists as indicated by Arc mRNA”
Current: Manager of Clinical Sciences and Medical Affairs atFerring Pharmaceuticals, New Jersey, USA; Adjunct Assistant Professor Wake Forest School of Medicine USA, Center for Neurobiology of Addiction Treatment
Previous: Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer at Wake Forest School of Medicine USA, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Annis O Mechan, 2001
Thesis title: “An investigation of the acute and longer-term effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; 'ecstasy’)”
Current: Senior Safety Report Writer at Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd Basel Area, Switzerland
Previous: Research Scientist, Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd and DSM Nutritional Products; Post-doctoral Research Fellow, John Hopkins School of Medicine