Fiona Docherty Email & Phone Number

Birmingham, Gb

Investigation of transcription factors involved in pancreatic beta cell identity using CRISPR Cas9 based gene editing of stem cell (hESC and iPSC) derived beta cells.We recently received start-up funding to create a core facility that will produce human embryonic stem cell derived beta cells for use by the wider scientific community.

Denver, Colorado

Postdoctoral research fellow in the Holger Russ research group working on directed differentiation of pluripotent cells (hESC and iPSC) towards stem cell derived beta cells (sBC).My research focused on heterogeneity of sBC and culminated in the identification of a functionally mature subtype of sBC which can be sorted from the wider population of cells via a novel cell surface marker (Docherty et al 2021 Diabetes). I developed and patented a novel FACS protocol to sort out the mature population beta cells from iPSC and hESC derived SBC and also from cadaveric human islets -Patent title: ENTPD3 and SLIT-ROBO signalling in maturation of stem cell derived insulin-producing cell, Inventors: Fiona M. Docherty & Holger A. Russ (Patent App No. 17/704,429).

Institute Of Medical Sciences

In 2016 University of Aberdeen was awarded funds by MRC to set up a company (Islexa Ltd) to transdifferentiate human exocrine tissue towards functional beta cells. I was employed for one year to work in collaboration with the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult to optimise the differentiation protocol, write SOPS and explore methods of increasing production via introduction of bioreactor based culture systems

Bristol, United Kingdom

Press officer for clients of Bioscientifica including the British Fertility Society, European Society for Endocrinology and European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology specialising in conference publicity. Main duties included writing and dissemination of press releases and managing media enquiries from journalists representing print, online and television outlets.Communications executive for Society for Endocrinology - promoting endocrinology research to a range of audiences using print and online media, science festivals, public talks and science cafes. Also engaging doctors, nurses, patients, scientists, policy makers and research funding bodies in meaningful debates about endocrinology research and innovation. Lobbying for increased awareness, funding and infrastructure for endocrinology research at level of Government and RCUK.

Anne Mclaren Laboratory For Regenerative Medicine

PhD project investigating the role of transcription factor HEY2 in pluripotency and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.

London, United Kingdom

Junior policy advisor working with the Research Funding Unit within the Knowledge and Innovation Team for Doctor Helen Bodmer.Worked in a fast paced and high-level team working on the communication of policy and ideas to different audiences.

Cambridge, Uk

Founding Member of the Cambridge University Science and Policy Exchange (CUSPE), a society of early career researchers at the University of Cambridge aimed at facilitating effective communication amongst researchers, scientists, engineers, industry representatives and policymakers.

University Of Cambridge

BlueSci is a non-profit science magazine that is entirely run by University of Cambridge students. We distribute over 4,500 issues 3 times a year, free of charge to readers within the University and also to neighbouring schools.As advertising manager it was my job to raise the £2,000 - £2,500 per issue to cover printing costs and overheads. I achieved by selling advertising space in the magazine and by persuading local businesses and institutions to sponsor us.

Welcome Trust Sanger Institute

P.I. Dr M. SandhuProject title: The genetic epidemiology of lipoprotein(a) and heart disease risk.

Anne Mclaren Laboratory For Stem Cell Biology And Regenerative Medicine

P.I. Dr L. VallierProject title: The role of WNT signalling in mesendoderm differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.

Addenbrooke'S Centre For Clinical Investigation (Acci)

P.I. Dr R. FooDivision of Cardiovascular MedicineProject title: The regulation of p53 activity in heart failure.

Institute For Stem Cell Research (Iscr), King'S Buildings Campus

P.I. Dr T. Kunath & Dr T. Le BihanThe aim of my project was to investigate the FGF4 signalling pathway in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. We set about achieving this via differential LC-MS analysis of the phosphoprofile of FGF4 -/- ES cells with and without recombinant FGF4 stimulation. See publication below.

Diabetes Centre, Ucsf

P.I. Professor M. German.Project 1. The role of particular micro RNA molecules in down regulating the expression of transcription factor Nkx6.1 in pancreatic cell lines. Project 2. An investigation of the expression profile of a number of homeodomain genes within the alx family thought to be significant in pancreas development.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Stem Cell Biology

Master Of Philosophy (Mphil), Cardiovascular Science

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Biochemistry

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Stem Cell Biology