Julie
PhD Project Title: The shared genetics of immune-mediated diseases, infectious disease outcomes, and mental disorders across ancestries
PhD Supervisors: Dr David Morris & Dr Jonathan Coleman
Educational and Career Background: I completed my undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews and internships at Tuft's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences exploring themes of addiction and obesity.
Michael Ellis
PhD Project Title: Investigating the neuropathogenesis of alphavirus infections using sindbis virus as a model
PhD Supervisors: Dr Vincenzo Torraca & Dr Katie Long & Dr Laura Pellegrini
Educational and Career Background: I completed my BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry at The University of Bath in 2019, including one year working at the University of Sydney investigating DYRK1A signalling pathways and assessing its potential as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma. Following the completion of my studies, I worked as a research technician at University College London for two years looking into the heterogeneous progression of patient-derived glioblastomas in PDX mouse models before working for three years as a scientific officer on genetic technology policy for His Majesty's Government.
Katja Freytag
PhD Project Title: Neuro-immune interactions in chronic joint pain: how T cell subsets might affect persistent nociception in rheumatoid arthritis
PhD Supervisors: Prof Leonie Taams & Dr Franziska Denk
Educational and Career Background: I obtained a BA in media economics at the Stuttgart Media University in Germany and then moved on to study molecular medicine at the University of Freiburg, Germany, for both my undergrad and masters degree. After that, I briefly worked as an research assistant at the Freiburg University Hospital, Neuropathology, studying lysosomal storage diseases before moving to London to join the NIIHD WTPP.
Kevin gordon-fleet
PhD Project Title: The role of immune cells and S1P signalling in hearing loss
PhD Supervisors: Prof Karen Steel & Dr Grzegorz Woszczek
Educational and Career Background: I completed my BSc (Hons) in Psychology at De Montfort University, followed by an MSc in Neuroscience at King’s College London. After my studies, I worked for 3 years as a research assistant in the Drescher lab at the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (KCL), where we investigated sexually dimorphic synaptic defects and microglial activity in a Cntnap2 mouse model. This opportunity developed my interest in the link between neuroscience and immunology.
trishalee gungoosingh
PhD Project Title: How do sympathetic neurons interact with immune cells to mediate inflammation and pain in rheumatoid arthritis?
PhD Supervisors: Dr Franziska Denk & Prof Leonie Taams
Educational and Career Background: I studied Pharmacology at UCL and completed an MSc by Research in Integrative Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh in 2022. I then worked for 2 years as a Research Assistant in the Simoes group at the University of Oxford, where I was investigating the role of macrophages in zebrafish heart regeneration.
hannah jones
PhD Project Title: The role of ZAP in neuronal protection from alphaviruses and endogenous retroelements and its implications for neurodegeneration
PhD Supervisors: Dr Chad Swanson & Prof Jernej Ule
Educational and Career Background: I completed a BSc in Neuroscience at the University of Bristol in 2020, before becoming a research assistant at a healthcare market research company. During this time, I completed an MRes in Experimental Psychology with Data Science at the University of Manchester, where my research focused on the relationship between peripheral inflammatory markers, depression, cognition, and childhood adversity. Following my masters, I transitioned roles within the company to work as a statistician.