Mccarthy
ronan gained his bachelor of science in genetics with first class honours from university college cork, ireland in 2010 and was awarded the title of college scholar. in autumn 2010, ronan was awarded an irish research council phd scholarship to study novel biofilm inhibition strategies against the opportunistic pathogen pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lab of professor fergal o’gara. in 2014, ronan joined the research group of professor alain filloux at the mrc centre for bacteriology and infection at imperial college london. as a postdoctoral research associate, ronan interrogated the second messenger signalling cascades that govern the biofilm mode of growth in pseudomonas aeruginosa and agrobacterium tumefaciens. following on from his time at imperial college ronan joined the microbiology department at the animal and plant health agency where he used host transcriptomics and pathway analysis to profile the host response to infection. he joined the biosciences division in brunel university to continue his analysis of the regulatory networks that govern pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in the gram negative opportunistic pathogens pseudomonas aeruginosa and acinetobacter baumannii. in 2021, ronan was awarded a bbsrc new investigator award to study the regulation of desiccation tolerance and biofilm formation in acinetobacter baumannii and to identify compounds that could disrupt these survival mechanisms. he has also expanded into the field of biofilm engineering, using synthetic biology approaches to give control over bacterial biofilm formation and using these tools to tackle environmental challenges such as plastic waste. as a pi he has secured funding from the bbsrc, nc3rs, academy of medical sciences, horizon 2020, british society for antimicrobial chemotherapy, innovate uk, nerc and the medical research council. my research focuses on profiling key signalling pathways that play a role in chronic bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance. studying interactions that occur at the host-pathogen interface using integrated ‘omics approaches. understanding the protective role of the microbiome in an infection setting. assessing the ability of old drugs to be repurposed to inhibit bacterial infection opportunities for phd study enquires are welcome from those who are keen to pursue phd and msc degrees. joint supervision, industry partnerships and collaborative research opportunities are also very welcome.
![Professor Ronan Mccarthy]()
Professor Ronan Mccarthy
Ronan gained his Bachelor of Science in Genetics with first class honours from University College Cork, Ireland in 2010 and was awarded the title of College Scholar. In autumn 2010, Ronan was awarded an Irish Research Council PhD Scholarship to study novel biofilm inhibition strategies against the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lab of Professor Fergal O’Gara. In 2014, Ronan joined the research group of Professor Alain Filloux at the MRC Centre for Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial College London. As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, Ronan interrogated the second messenger signalling cascades that govern the biofilm mode of growth in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Following on from his time at Imperial College Ronan joined the Microbiology Department at the Animal and Plant Health Agency where he used host transcriptomics and pathway analysis to profile the host response to infection. He joined the Biosciences Division in Brunel University to continue his analysis of the regulatory networks that govern pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in the Gram negative opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. In 2021, Ronan was awarded a BBSRC New Investigator Award to study the regulation of desiccation tolerance and biofilm formation in Acinetobacter baumannii and to identify compounds that could disrupt these survival mechanisms. He has also expanded into the field of biofilm engineering, using synthetic biology approaches to give control over bacterial biofilm formation and using these tools to tackle environmental challenges such as plastic waste. As a PI he has secured funding from the BBSRC, NC3Rs, Academy of Medical Sciences, Horizon 2020, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Innovate UK, NERC and the Medical Research Council. My research focuses on Profiling key signalling pathways that play a role in chronic bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance. Studying interactions that occur at the host-pathogen interface using integrated ‘omics approaches. Understanding the protective role of the microbiome in an infection setting. Assessing the ability of old drugs to be repurposed to inhibit bacterial infection Opportunities for PhD Study Enquires are welcome from those who are keen to pursue PhD and MSc degrees. Joint supervision, industry partnerships and collaborative research opportunities are also very welcome.
Willcocks
sam joined brunel university london as a lecturer in biosciences in 2022 from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine (lshtm), where he worked as assistant professor in the department of infection biology. he previously received his phd in innate immunology at the royal veterinary college, london in 2008. in 2018, sam received an mrc confidence in concept award for the development of a novel class of antimicrobials against mycobacterium tuberculosis and in 2020 was awarded the wellcome translational accelerator award to determine their mechanism of action. sam also holds an honorary fellowship at birkbeck university london and retains strong links with the antimicrobial resistance centre at lshtm where he was previously head of biological and pharmacological sciences. my research interests are focussed on: developing new antimicrobials against mycobacterial species, and using molecular approaches to understand their targets, mechanisms of action and resistance exploring the repurposing of existing drugs for use as antimicrobials modelling the role of the host immune system on drug-target interactions in vivo
![Dr Sam Willcocks]()
Dr Sam Willcocks
Sam joined Brunel University London as a Lecturer in Biosciences in 2022 from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where he worked as Assistant Professor in the Department of Infection Biology. He previously received his PhD in Innate Immunology at the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2008. In 2018, Sam received an MRC Confidence in Concept Award for the development of a novel class of antimicrobials against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in 2020 was awarded the Wellcome Translational Accelerator Award to determine their mechanism of action. Sam also holds an Honorary Fellowship at Birkbeck University London and retains strong links with the Antimicrobial Resistance Centre at LSHTM where he was previously Head of Biological and Pharmacological Sciences. My research interests are focussed on: Developing new antimicrobials against mycobacterial species, and using molecular approaches to understand their targets, mechanisms of action and resistance Exploring the repurposing of existing drugs for use as antimicrobials Modelling the role of the host immune system on drug-target interactions in vivo
Sahai
dr michelle sahai is a lecturer in biosciences (drug discovery) since 2024. she completed her first two degrees at the university of toronto, before moving to the uk where she received her phd in computational biochemistry from the structural bioinformatics and computational biochemistry unit at the university of oxford. after receiving her phd degree, she carried out postdoctoral research at the department of physiology and biophysics, at the weill cornell medical college, new york, ny. she worked as a lecturer/senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at the university of roehampton from 2014-2023. her research focuses on answering important questions relating to membrane proteins and the structural, dynamic and electronic determinants of biological processes underlying physiological functions. neurological diseases addiction genetic mutations cancer antimicrobial resistance membranes and membrane proteins molecular and structural proteins ai-driven computational biomedicine understanding biological processes is vital for discovering disease mechanisms and new treatment targets. the roles of membrane proteins in cell signalling, transport, and metabolism are fundamental to cellular function, and any disruptions in these processes are central to many diseases, highlighting the importance of studying these proteins for developing new therapies. dr sahai's research focuses on the atomistic-level study of membrane protein dynamics, developing computational models that explain the behaviours and interactions of receptors and transporters with various ligands. these in silico methodologies, underpinned by dr sahai's extensive expertise in the dynamics of membrane proteins, receptor-ligand interactions, and molecular simulations, have laid a strong foundation for her work across various disease models. bb1719 - introduction to data analysis (block lead)
![Dr Michelle Sahai]()
Dr Michelle Sahai
Dr Michelle Sahai is a Lecturer in Biosciences (Drug Discovery) since 2024. She completed her first two degrees at the University of Toronto, before moving to the UK where she received her PhD in Computational Biochemistry from the Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry Unit at the University of Oxford. After receiving her PhD degree, she carried out postdoctoral research at the Department of Physiology and Biophysics, at the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. She worked as a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Roehampton from 2014-2023. Her research focuses on answering important questions relating to membrane proteins and the structural, dynamic and electronic determinants of biological processes underlying physiological functions. Neurological Diseases Addiction Genetic mutations Cancer Antimicrobial Resistance Membranes and Membrane Proteins Molecular and Structural Proteins AI-driven Computational Biomedicine Understanding biological processes is vital for discovering disease mechanisms and new treatment targets. The roles of membrane proteins in cell signalling, transport, and metabolism are fundamental to cellular function, and any disruptions in these processes are central to many diseases, highlighting the importance of studying these proteins for developing new therapies. Dr Sahai's research focuses on the atomistic-level study of membrane protein dynamics, developing computational models that explain the behaviours and interactions of receptors and transporters with various ligands. These in silico methodologies, underpinned by Dr Sahai's extensive expertise in the dynamics of membrane proteins, receptor-ligand interactions, and molecular simulations, have laid a strong foundation for her work across various disease models. BB1719 - Introduction to Data Analysis (Block Lead)
Zhang
dr bin zhang is a lecturer in additive manufacturing in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering. she obtained her phd from university college london, where she focused on additive manufacturing, specifically the 3d printing of drug-loaded biocomposite bone tissue scaffolds. dr zhang was also a visiting scholar in the joint department of biomedical engineering at unc-chapel hill and nc state university in the usa, where she worked on patterned surfaces with controllable drug doses using inkjet 3d printing and the fabrication of microneedle sensors using stereolithography 3d printing. prior to joining brunel university london, she had worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the school of pharmacy, university of east anglia, and the department of engineering and technology, university of hertfordshire. her research focuses on the 3d printing of micro medical devices, the development of drug-loaded devices using extrusion-based 3d printing methods, and the creation of medical training models using 3d printing techniques. please feel free to reach out for collaboration opportunities, student positions, or other research opportunities. qualified applications for phd, postdoc, and visiting scholar positions are welcome through the following channels: brunel-csc scholarship (for chinese students and scholars): please reach out before december regarding a phd position for the following year. scholars may apply at any time. commonwealth phd scholarship (for students from commonwealth countries): please reach out before october regarding a phd position for the following year. marie skłodowska-curie actions (msca) postdoctoral fellowships: calls open in april and close in september. the royal society newton international fellowships: calls open in january and close in march. uk epsrc postdoctoral fellowships: please refer to the relevant uk epsrc website for the application deadlines. additive manufacturing biomedical materials pharmaceutical & medical devices tissue engineering finite element analysis additive manufacturing and advanced cad engineering mechanics and materials dynamics beng & msc dissertation project (supervision)
![Dr Bin Zhang]()
Dr Bin Zhang
Dr Bin Zhang is a Lecturer in Additive Manufacturing in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. She obtained her PhD from University College London, where she focused on additive manufacturing, specifically the 3D printing of drug-loaded biocomposite bone tissue scaffolds. Dr Zhang was also a visiting scholar in the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State University in the USA, where she worked on patterned surfaces with controllable drug doses using inkjet 3D printing and the fabrication of microneedle sensors using stereolithography 3D printing. Prior to joining Brunel University London, she had worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, and the Department of Engineering and Technology, University of Hertfordshire. Her research focuses on the 3D printing of micro medical devices, the development of drug-loaded devices using extrusion-based 3D printing methods, and the creation of medical training models using 3D printing techniques. Please feel free to reach out for collaboration opportunities, student positions, or other research opportunities. Qualified applications for PhD, Postdoc, and Visiting Scholar positions are welcome through the following channels: Brunel-CSC Scholarship (for Chinese students and scholars): Please reach out before December regarding a PhD position for the following year. Scholars may apply at any time. Commonwealth PhD Scholarship (for students from Commonwealth countries): Please reach out before October regarding a PhD position for the following year. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships: Calls open in April and close in September. The Royal Society Newton International Fellowships: Calls open in January and close in March. UK EPSRC Postdoctoral Fellowships: Please refer to the relevant UK EPSRC website for the application deadlines. Additive Manufacturing Biomedical Materials Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Tissue Engineering Finite Element Analysis Additive Manufacturing and Advanced CAD Engineering Mechanics and Materials Dynamics BEng & MSc Dissertation Project (supervision)
Miller
as an interdisciplinary scientist with a background in biology and analytical chemistry, my research interests are focussed on the impact of chemicals in the environment and the interaction this chemical stress has with other environmental stressors. my expertise lies in small molecule mass spectrometry to determine chemicals found in the environment (especially in wildlife) and to determine biomarkers and pathways associated with adverse effects in exposed organisms. i am also interested in the integration of artificial intelligence within environmental toxicology to support and solve different environmental challenges. from the start of my phd at king's college london my research was originally focussed on the uptake, biotransofrmation and elimination of pharmaceuticals in a freshwater invertebrate (gammarus pulex) commonly found in uk rivers. i developed and validated machine learning models to predict these proccesses to support and potentially replace bioaccumulation testing during environmental risk assessments. i then moved into a postdoctoral position where i focussed on understanding the impact of pharmaceuticals by assessing behavioural disruption in these organisms. i developed and applied metabolomic workflows to gain a mechanistic understanding of animal behaviour and to link cause-effect relationships for different drug exposures. here at brunel, i will be working in three main areas concerned with chemical pollution. first is concerned with the determination of chemicals (and mixtures) using exposomics to characterise the chemical space in the environment, with a focus on internalised residues in animals. second, improving mechanistic understanding of cause-effect relationships using metabolomics and lipidomics to determine biochemical changes that are phenotypically anchored. finally, development and application of ai to support envrionmental risk assessment, replace animal testing and improve interpretation of complex datasets to better understand animal health. environmental toxicology environmental metabolomics & lipidomics animal behaviour & physiology aritficial intelligence & machine learning
![Dr Thomas Miller]()
Dr Thomas Miller
As an interdisciplinary scientist with a background in biology and analytical chemistry, my research interests are focussed on the impact of chemicals in the environment and the interaction this chemical stress has with other environmental stressors. My expertise lies in small molecule mass spectrometry to determine chemicals found in the environment (especially in wildlife) and to determine biomarkers and pathways associated with adverse effects in exposed organisms. I am also interested in the integration of artificial intelligence within environmental toxicology to support and solve different environmental challenges. From the start of my PhD at King's College London my research was originally focussed on the uptake, biotransofrmation and elimination of pharmaceuticals in a freshwater invertebrate (Gammarus pulex) commonly found in UK rivers. I developed and validated machine learning models to predict these proccesses to support and potentially replace bioaccumulation testing during environmental risk assessments. I then moved into a postdoctoral position where I focussed on understanding the impact of pharmaceuticals by assessing behavioural disruption in these organisms. I developed and applied metabolomic workflows to gain a mechanistic understanding of animal behaviour and to link cause-effect relationships for different drug exposures. Here at Brunel, I will be working in three main areas concerned with chemical pollution. First is concerned with the determination of chemicals (and mixtures) using exposomics to characterise the chemical space in the environment, with a focus on internalised residues in animals. Second, improving mechanistic understanding of cause-effect relationships using metabolomics and lipidomics to determine biochemical changes that are phenotypically anchored. Finally, development and application of AI to support envrionmental risk assessment, replace animal testing and improve interpretation of complex datasets to better understand animal health. Environmental Toxicology Environmental Metabolomics & Lipidomics Animal Behaviour & Physiology Aritficial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Castro-Sanchez
enrique is a senior lecturer in global challenges (planetary health) at the basc global challenges programme. he is also the director of postgraduate research for the division of trans-disciplinary studies in global change, and leads the sociocultural and legal impacts of antimicrobial resistance stream at the antimicrobial innovations research centre. he gained his degree in nursing in spain, and migrated to the uk shortly after to practice in infectious diseases. he received a diploma in tropical nursing and an msc public health from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. after a period centred on developing advanced practice roles in tuberculosis and hiv, enrique worked as lead nurse for research at the nihr health protection research unit in healthcare-associated infection and antimicrobial resistance at imperial college london, focused on developing innovations and behaviour change interventions. he completed his phd in 2015, and received postdoctoral funding to research participation of nurses in antimicrobial stewardship in south africa and rwanda, and social determinants of infections. his research funding includes grants from the nihr, ahrc, esrc, brc, and the florence nightingale foundation. in 2016, enrique was selected as emerging leader in international infectious diseases by the international society for infectious diseases, and in 2017 he worked as consultant for the world health organisation developing leadership education for national focal persons in infection control, supporting the core components in infection control. that year, he was also appointed by the nihr 70@70 senior nurse research leader programme as one of the 70 nurses in the country selected to increase capacity and capability in research for nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals. in 2020-2022, enrique held positions at city university and university of west london, and worked as infection prevention and control fellow at the national ipc unit in nhs england/improvement, developing education for board members and senior ipc nurses, whilst supporting the local, national, and international covid-19 response. enrique has been funded to carry out research and provide education in multiple settings, including pakistan, india, rwanda, south africa, mexico, chile, argentina, and spain. he is editor-in-chief of infection ecology and epidemiology journal, and collaborates with the european society of specialist organisations in brussels, advising in ipc and amr. my research interests include planetary determinants of infectious diseases and drug-resistant infections, including: the influence of the policy environment on antimicrobial stewardship interventions; the effect of health and social inequalities, including limited health literacy, on infection prevention behaviours; development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative models of care and workforce roles in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship; and societal engagement, co-design, and co-production of interventions focused on infections, antimicrobial stewardship, and vaccinations. i am keen to explore multiple research methodologies, including mixed designs, as well as drawing from implementation science, intervention mapping, and realist paradigms. my main research areas are: planetary health, particularly drug-resistant infections and antimicrobial stewardship, health diplomacy and political astuteness related to antimicrobial resistance, professional and societal responses to antimicrobial resistance. i teach on the basc global challenges, particularly the planetary health pathway.
![Dr Enrique Castro-Sanchez]()
Dr Enrique Castro-Sanchez
Enrique is a Senior Lecturer in Global Challenges (Planetary Health) at the BASc Global Challenges programme. He is also the Director of Postgraduate Research for the Division of Trans-disciplinary Studies in Global Change, and leads the Sociocultural and Legal Impacts of Antimicrobial Resistance stream at the Antimicrobial Innovations Research Centre. He gained his degree in Nursing in Spain, and migrated to the UK shortly after to practice in infectious diseases. He received a Diploma in Tropical Nursing and an MSc Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. After a period centred on developing advanced practice roles in tuberculosis and HIV, Enrique worked as Lead Nurse for Research at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance at Imperial College London, focused on developing innovations and behaviour change interventions. He completed his PhD in 2015, and received postdoctoral funding to research participation of nurses in antimicrobial stewardship in South Africa and Rwanda, and social determinants of infections. His research funding includes grants from the NIHR, AHRC, ESRC, BRC, and the Florence Nightingale Foundation. In 2016, Enrique was selected as Emerging Leader in International Infectious Diseases by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, and in 2017 he worked as Consultant for the World Health Organisation developing leadership education for national focal persons in infection control, supporting the Core Components in Infection Control. That year, he was also appointed by the NIHR 70@70 Senior Nurse Research Leader programme as one of the 70 nurses in the country selected to increase capacity and capability in research for nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals. In 2020-2022, Enrique held positions at City University and University of West London, and worked as Infection Prevention and Control fellow at the national IPC unit in NHS England/Improvement, developing education for board members and senior IPC nurses, whilst supporting the local, national, and international COVID-19 response. Enrique has been funded to carry out research and provide education in multiple settings, including Pakistan, India, Rwanda, South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Spain. He is Editor-in-Chief of Infection Ecology and Epidemiology journal, and collaborates with the European Society of Specialist Organisations in Brussels, advising in IPC and AMR. My research interests include planetary determinants of infectious diseases and drug-resistant infections, including: The influence of the policy environment on antimicrobial stewardship interventions; The effect of health and social inequalities, including limited health literacy, on infection prevention behaviours; Development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative models of care and workforce roles in infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship; and Societal engagement, co-design, and co-production of interventions focused on infections, antimicrobial stewardship, and vaccinations. I am keen to explore multiple research methodologies, including mixed designs, as well as drawing from implementation science, intervention mapping, and realist paradigms. My main research areas are: Planetary health, particularly drug-resistant infections and antimicrobial stewardship, Health diplomacy and political astuteness related to antimicrobial resistance, Professional and societal responses to antimicrobial resistance. I teach on the BASc Global Challenges, particularly the Planetary Health pathway.