My general research interest is in the genetics and epigenetics of embryonic development, stem cell differentiation, cellular senscence, healthy ageing and cancer, and I use the pigmentary system as a model to study these biological processes. My current research focus is in the cellular specification of melanoblasts, the precursors to pigment producing melanocytes, and their relationship to other embryonic neural crest cells. In addition, I am interested in melanoma dedifferentiation and how melanoma cells express embryonic neural crest lineage genes not usually expressed in differentiated melanocytes. My research work aims to understand the genetic mechanisms of normal cellular specification and healthy ageing and the development of tumours.

I am the interim Programme Leader for undergraduate Biomedical Science/Applied Biomedical Science programmes for the academic year 22/23.

I teach Genetics for Years 1-4 in its classical, applied and clinical aspects in lectures and practical lab sessions. Current modules:

Year 1: Fundamentals of Life Genetics Block
Year 2: Genetics (module coordinator)
           Forensic Evidence and Antigen retrieval
Year 3: Pure & Applied Genetics
Year 4: Clinical Genetics
           DNA Technology
           Advancements in Forensic Biology
MSc: Nucleic Acid & Protein Technology (module coordinator)
         Genetic Analysis in Biomedical Science

I am also a teacher and module coordinator for Year 3 "Molecular & Cellular Pathology" module.

I supervise dissertation research projects for Year 4 Biomed/Bioscience and MSc Biotech/Biomed students.

I have finished my Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCAP) postgraduate degree in summer 2022. My research into teaching heavily focused on analysing online pedagogies, incorporating new technologies and feedback and assessment strategies in Genetics teaching. 

Before I started my full time lecturship position at UWS in January 2020, I was a postdoctoral research associate specialised in the epigenetics of healthy ageing and cancer in Professor Peter Adams lab at the University of Glasgow since the end of 2013. I have obtained my PhD in Genetics from the University of Nottingham in 2013, my MSc in Molecular Parasitology & Vector Biology from the Universities of Manchester, Salford & Keele in 2008 and my Diploma in Biochemistry from the Lebanese University in 2006.

In addition to my academic roles stated above, I am currently one of the Plagiarism Panel co-Chairs at the School of Health & Life Sciences at UWS and a member of the School Board. I am also the external examiner for MSc & PgDip "Dermatology in Clinical Practice" Programmes at the University of South Wales.  I am a member of STEM Ambassadors Scotland, and I carry out outreach activities in STEM to school students in the west of Scotland. I also hold memberships in the Biochemical Society and the European Society for Pigment Cell Research, regularly attending conferences with the latter.