I am interested in mechanisms that regulate arterial function and structure in health and disease, focussing on the role of the endothelium, new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), and  lesion formation (atherosclerosis, neointimal proliferation). Current research projects address: the potential use of cellular therapies to stimulate angiogenesis in ischaemic tissue; the influence of glucocorticoids on angiogenesis; the role of androgens in regulation of atherosclerosis and angiogenesis; and, the influence of the Wilms' Tumour suppressor on new blood vessel formation. My group uses a combination of in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo techniques to address these topics, with a strong focus on the use of novel imaging techniques to improve analysis. 

After obtaining a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry (with Biochemistry) at the Polytechnic of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, I completed my PhD (Physiology and Pharmacology) at the University of Strathclyde. My doctoral research addressed the potential of the leech-derived anti-thrombin r-hirudin for the reduction of neointimal proliferation following arterial injury. I spent 4 years as a post-doctoral scientist in the Department of Medicine (University of Edinburgh), studying vascular dysfunction in hepatic cirrhosis (with additional projects addressing the vascular consequences of glaucoma and diabetes mellitus). I then joined the Cardiovascular Endocrinology group to investigate the influence of gluoccorticoid metabolism on vascular function and remodelling.  I was appointed as Senior Research Fellow in 2006 and am currently a Reader in the Centre for Cardiovascular Science.