Robert completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Sussex in 2012 and later joined the laboratory of Dr Felicity Watts to study post-translational modifications that enable cells to respond to cellular stress. In 2016, he joined the University of Pittsburgh as a postdoctoral associate to determine the impact of mutations in DNA repair genes on sensitivity of cancer cells to precision medicines.

In 2018, Robert returned to the UK to start his own research laboratory. During this time, he helped establish a new BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science programme as a Lecturer at Solent University Southampton before later progressing to Senior Lecturer. In 2021, he joined the University of Gloucestershire to develop a 2nd set of new Biomedical Science programmes. In 2022, Robert joined the University of Portsmouth to continue his research investigating the mechanisms of DNA repair that protect both the mitochondrial and nuclear genome.

Robert is currently the Associate Head (Employability and Placements) at the University of Portsmouth and serves as a Biochemical Society Local Ambassador, Genes Research Area Panel member and on the society’s Early Career Advisory Panel. He has participated in external validation panels for new degree programmes and is an External Examiner for the University of Plymouth. Robert is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AdvanceHE) and has a keen interest in how technology can widen-participation and enrich bioscience education.

Kelly graduated from Solent University with a first class honours in Biomedical Sciences. During her undergraduate project, she investigated the effect of ciprofloxacin on mitochondrial function of cells cultured in vitro. Her project aims to examine the molecular basis of rare severe adverse drug reactions associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics. She is keen to see how scientific advances will change patient outcomes.

Areeba completed her M.Sc. in biotechnology from Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, India. She studied the formation of mitochondria derived vesicles under stress conditions in rat cardiomyocytes for her postgraduate dissertation. After completing her M.Sc she worked at a biopharmaceutical start-up as a project manager and later joined the Beauty and personal care group at Unilever as a research assistant. Her PhD focuses on investigating the pathways of mitochondrial DNA damage control and how a failure of defence mechanisms can lead to diseases.

Matina graduated from the University of Portsmouth with First Class Honors in Biomedical
Science and possesses a strong passion for continuous learning. During her undergraduate
studies, she completed an industry-based placement year at Scienion, a biotechnology
company. There, she worked as a Precision Dispensing Technician, contributing to the
manufacturing of high-quality PCR COVID-19 tests crucial for diagnosing COVID-19 in
travellers. Subsequently, Matina assumed the role of shift leader where she trained and
supervised a team of 3-4 individuals.
For her undergraduate project, Matina delved into developmental biology, investigating the
formation of the brain’s vasculature from endothelial cells using chicken embryos as a model system. In her MRes, Matina is focusing on studying fluoroquinolones, particularly ciprofloxacin, and
its impact on mitochondrial DNA copy number in repair-deficient cell lines.

Nontaporn Rattanachak graduated from Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand, in Microbiology. During her undergraduate project, she studied the effect of bacteriophages against drug-resistant Escherichia coli ESBL-4 with an aim to identifying new treatments to target this drug-resistant strain. Nontaporn earned her Master’s degree in Biotechnology from Khon Kaen University, Thailand, investigating the development of new supplementary food from synbiotics with bacteria probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 1465) and prebiotics (Jerusalem artichoke). She is currently undertaking a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Naresuan University, Thailand, where she is studying the effect of hydroquinine against pathogenic microorganisms. In 2023, she went to Aston University in the UK to join the MEDIPOL project for three months as a visiting scientist to explore methods of hydroquinine delivery using encapsulation techniques and is continuing her research at the University of Portsmouth as a visiting scientist.

Sattaporn Weawsiangsang (Kwan) graduated from Naresuan University with a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.). During her undergraduate research, she investigated the effects of natural substances on ocular cells cultured in vitro. Sattaporn is currently undertaking a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciencesat Naresuan University. Her project aims to examine the antimicrobial mechanisms of natural compound, hydroquinine, against pathogenic bacterial organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, she intends to investigate the application of hydroquinine as a preventive contact lens solution. In 2023, Sattaporn attended Aston University for 3 months as a visiting scientist to develop hydroquinine delivery methods. Sattaporn joined the laboratory of Dr. Robert Baldock at the University of Portsmouth to continue her research investigating the anti-bacterial mechanisms of hydroquinine and determine if there is any cytotoxicity.