Lecturer in Biochemistry
After graduating with an MChem (Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, I stayed on to complete a PhD in Chemistry. My thesis centred on the development of novel small molecule inhibitors of the enzyme AMACR, which is overexpressed in cancers such as prostate cancer and lung cancer.
I then moved to Newcastle to work for Glythera (now Iksuda Therapeutics) on the development of their antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technologies. Following this, I completed a PGCE (with Qualified Teacher Status) and worked for Newcastle College (part of NCG) as a lecturer and programme leader for both FE and HE courses.
I joined the University of Sunderland in 2022 as a Lecturer in Biochemistry.
My current research interests focus on the development, synthesis, and biological evaluation of bio-oligomers (such as peptides), drug-conjugates, and classical small molecule drugs for applications as potential therapeutic agents.
Teaching and supervision
I currently teach chemistry and biochemistry on a range of modules across the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy courses.
I am also the module leader for a number of modules (BPS111, BPS211, BPS312, and CSC104), and I'm the stage 1 (first year) lead for the biochemistry, biopharmaceutical science, and medicinal chemistry courses.
Research interests for potential research students
My research interests focus can broadly be seen to be using chemistry to solve biological problems. If you are interested in any of these areas, please get in touch to discuss further:
- Biotherapeutics
- Drug-Conjugates
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Biocatalysis
Research
My research interests focus on using chemistry to solve biological problems. These are currently focused around the following areas:
- Biotherapeutics – synthesis of peptides/DNA/RNA for use as therapeutics
- Drug-Conjugates – development of drug-conjugates (ADCs, PDCs, PROTACs)
- Medicinal Chemistry – development of small-molecule inhibitors of enzyme targets as potential anti-cancer agents
- Biocatalysis – development and application of enzymes as catalysts
Publications
Article
Festuccia, Claudio, Gravina, Giovanni, Mancini, Andrea, Muzi, Paola, Cesare, Ernesto, Kirk, Ralph, Smith, Matthew, Hughes, Shaun, Gibson, Robert, Lian, Lu-Yun, Ricevuto, Enrico and Carnell, Andrew (2014) Trifluoroibuprofen Inhibits alpha-Methylacyl Coenzyme A Racemase (AMACR/P504S), Reduces Cancer Cell Proliferation and Inhibits in vivo Tumor Growth in Aggressive Prostate Cancer Models. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 14 (7). pp. 1031-1041. ISSN 18715206
Carnell, A. J., Kirk, R., Smith, Matthew, McKenna, S., Lian, L-Y. and Gibson, R. (2013) Inhibition of Humana-Methylacyl CoA Racemase(AMACR): a Target for Prostate Cancer. ChemMedChem, 8. pp. 1643-1647. ISSN 1860-7179
- Organic chemistry
- Biological chemistry
- Drug-conjugates
- Cancer research
Memberships and affiliations:
- Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC)
- Member of the American Chemical Society
Qualifications:
- MChem (Hons) Chemistry (University of Liverpool)
- PhD Chemistry (University of Liverpool)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (University of Sunderland)
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Other roles:
- Chemical Safety Advisor – FHSW, University of Sunderland
- Journal Reviewer – LAM, JAM