Following a BSc in Medical Biochemistry (University of Birmingham; Faculty of Science Undergraduate Prize), RM gained his PhD in the MRC Neuropharmacology Unit on the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines, involving a first author publication in Nature. After 2 years as a Parkinson’s Disease Society Fellow, RM was appointed to a tenure-track (then tenured group leader) position in the MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Edinburgh, working on molecular pharmacology and signalling of receptors for neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine hormones. RM and his group were then programme-funded as MRC External Scientific Staff (generating a further breakthrough paper in Nature) before RM was appointed to the University of Edinburgh staff.

BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry, University of Birmingham, 1973-76

PhD, Molecular Neuropharmacology, MRC Neuropharmacology Unit, 1976-79

We are interested in the biochemical signaling events that occur in neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) that result from the interaction of neurotransmitters and hormones with receptors on the neuronal cell surface. These processes crucially mediate or adjust neuronal transmission. Great diversity in receptors and their signaling events allows multiple levels of fine control. The molecules involved often represent ideal targets for new drugs to treat CNS disorders. Our focus is on the molecular pharmacology and signaling associated with psychiatric disorders and chronic pain states, in order to find new therapeutic approaches to treat these unmet needs.

Centre for Integrative Physiology (CIP)

We investigate receptor biology and intracellular signalling in the nervous system to find novel treatments that can improve psychiatric disorders and chronic pain.

Undergraduate

Year 2:

Biomedical Sciences 2 (in-course assessor and lab practical organiser).

Year 3:

Biomedical Sciences 3 (lecturer, lab practical organiser and assessor).

Physiology 3 (lecturer and in course assessor).

Pharmacology 3 (lecturer and deputy course organiser).

Applied Pharmacology (deputy course organiser).

Year 4:

Honours core programmes:

Honours Pharmacology (lecturer, tutor, project supervisor and Exam Board member).

Honours Neuroscience (in-course assessor).

Honours electives:

Receptors, Signalling and Regulation of Cell Responsiveness (co-organiser and lecturer).

MBChB

MBChB Year 1 (Fundamentals of Medicine Module Organiser, assessor and Exam Board member).

Postgraduate (MSc)

Taught or Research MSc:

MSc by Research Integrative Neuroscience (lecturer and project supervisor).