My current role
As a clinical academic based in the Heart and Lung Research Institute, I perform experimental medicine studies to understand immune responses to viral infections and air pollution in the nose and lungs, aiming to develop new treatments for inflammatory airway disease.
Previous history
Prior to joining CUH in 2019, I was a specialist respiratory trainee in the East of England region since 2012. I completed my PhD at Imperial College London in 2018 developing controlled human immune challenge models to mimic respiratory viral infections. I then joined the University of Cambridge as a Clinical Lecturer in 2019, which subsequently led to establishing my research group in 2023 as a Medical Research Council (MRC) Clinician Scientist Fellow.
Our lungs are regularly exposed to germs and pollutants, so the lining of the lungs acts as a physical and immune barrier against inhaled threats. The first line of defence is the "innate" immune system which has recently been shown to be able to "remember" past inflammatory events. My research expertise is around developing human relevant approaches to understanding innate immune responses in the respiratory tract combined with cutting edge molecular biology tools (such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial biology approaches). The long-term goal is to develop new approaches for treating inflammation in the lungs, which is seen in flare-ups (exacerbations) of asthma and COPD.
Membership and accreditations
- Founding chair of INSPIRE network (engaging early career clinicians in research)
- Member of British Thoracic Society
- Member of European Respiratory Society
- Member of British Association of Lung Research
Personal interests
When I am not at work, I enjoy going on adventures with my kids and stress testing my knees attempting to play football and squash.