Dr Amy Morgan
| Post Nominals | PhD, MRes, BSc, FHEA, FIBMS |
|---|---|
| Biography | In 2013 I graduated with a BSc in Biomedical Sciences (IBMS accredited) from the University of Chester. I followed on from this by undertaking an MRes in Applied Science (Microbiology). For this I undertook a research project entitled “Interruptions of AHL-mediated Quorum sensing in Chromobacterium violaceum and its role in Inter-Kingdom Communication”. I then transferred to Thornton Science Park to undertake a PhD entitled “Using Mathematical Modelling and Electrochemical Analysis to Investigate Age‐Associated Disease” and graduated in 2019. Whilst undertaking a PhD, I studied for a Postgraduate diploma in Learning & Teaching in Higher education and gained fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2017. I was Research Support Technical Officer for Biotechnology at the University of Chester for a number of years following the completion of my PhD, and during this time I was also employed as a visiting lecturer at the University of Chester and the University of Sheffield. I then gained a role as a Lecturer in Human Biology & Bioscience at Liverpool Hope University before joining the University of Salford in 2024. |
| Research Interests | I have an interest in ageing research and age-related disease. To investigate the ageing process, I computationally model biochemical pathways. I have focused on cholesterol metabolism due to its close relationship with cardiovascular disease. Whilst undertaking this research I investigated the impact of different genotypes, ageing, and diet on cholesterol distribution throughout the body. I have also combined a passion for microbiology with computational modelling. I investigated folate metabolism in E. coli to determine the impact of metabolite availability on cell growth, enzyme activity on folate metabolite concentrations, and the effect of antimicrobial treatment. Another area of my research is related to sensors. Specifically, I have used electrochemical techniques to detect DNA methylation as a sensor for cancer. DNA methylation is an epigenetic change which can regulate gene expression. Whilst my focus has been on cancer, changes in methylation patterns have been observed in a number of age-related diseases, and early detection of these changes is vital. |
| Teaching and Learning | I joined the University of Salford in 2024 and am Module Leader of Medical Biochemistry and teach on a range of other modules including Cell Biology, Biomedical Skills, and Professional Skills. I also supervise a range of dissertation projects. |