I am a Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton. My research focuses on understanding gene regulation in brain development and function. In particular, I am interested in the function of enhancer elements in establishing and maintaining appropriate spatiotemporal gene expression profiles during cortical development, and how this is disrupted in neurological disease.

Working with Professor Antonella Riccio to explore the genome architecture changes important for gene activation during neuronal development. This work has led me to identify a novel enhancer for the Bdnf gene, which is critically important in neuronal function and implicated in many neurological disorders. Key achievements:• Gained a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship• Supervised PhD, Masters and rotation students, as well as two undergraduate summer projects. These experiences have enabled me to develop projects to suit different levels, and to train students in scientific skills, project management and write-up• Contributed to a paper within the lab on which I am second author (Cell Reports) and wrote an invited review (Current Opinions in Neurobiology)• Selected to attend and present an oral and poster presentation at the interdisciplinary Academy of Medical Sciences 'Developing Brain' meeting, an experience which broadened my understanding of the challenges facing a complete understanding of neurobiological diseases at many levels• Gave an oral presentation at the EMBO Neuroepigenetics virtual conference, and a poster presentation at the CSHL Molecular Mechanisms of Neuronal Connectivity virtual conference, in addition to attending other international conferences• I am currently an elected representative for postdocs within the department, whose role is to attend meetings in which I liaise with faculty to negotiate, contribute to and formulate policy for the institute

Key achievements:• Awarded an EMBO Long-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship and a Jérôme Lejeune Foundation Grant• Published two first author (Cell Reports, Human Molecular Genetics) and two co-author research papers (Cell Reports, Nature Biotechnology)• Wrote an invited review (Annual Review of Genetics) that is highly cited within the field• Attended an Advanced RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq Data Analysis Course at the EMBL-EBI to develop bioinformatic understanding of high-throughput sequencing analysis• Gave oral and poster presentations to a variety of audiences including clinicians, scientists from different fields, my US EMBO Fellow peers, and to the European Bioinformatic Institute• Attended national and international conferences to expand my scientific horizons• Established and managed national and international collaborations, including with clinical geneticists, stem cell biologists, and genome editing labs• Helped to peer review scientific papers and selected oral presentations for the International Society for Stem Cell Research annual meeting. This gave me invaluable opportunity to advance my critical scientific thinking

During this postdoc and my PhD in the same laboratory, my key achievements:• My findings led to a first author paper (Cell Stem Cell), and six co-authorships in top-tier journals, demonstrating my ability to drive a project, and to work as part of a team• Wrote a highly cited review (EMBO Reports), expanding my in-depth scientific knowledge and improving my written communication skills• Supervised two PhD students, giving me the opportunity to gain mentoring skills in project development, management and communication• Oral and poster presentations at three international conferences and two local meetings, honing my communication skills. I also presented for lay audiences, and helped with MRC Clinical Sciences Centre PhD Student Recruitment• Helped to peer review publications and was an Invited Judge at the Imperial Graduate School of Life Sciences and Medicine Symposium, building my critical scientific thinking