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Women in STEM

Prof Clare Mahon Delivers Talk in the Inspiring Women in ChemBio Series

As part of the Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology seminar series, sponsored by the Biochemical Society, Newcastle University recently hosted Prof. Clare Mahon from Durham University, whose work is at the cutting edge of chemical biology and infectious disease diagnostics.  Clare’s talk, titled “Glycopolymer sensor arrays to detect pathoadaptations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,” explored a critical issue in microbiology: the ability of bacterial pathogens to evolve and diversify within hosts, leading to persistent infections that are notoriously difficult to treat. The implications are profound. By mapping the progress of persistent infections and informing treatment strategies, Clare’s approach could underpin next-generation diagnostic tools for cystic fibrosis and beyond.  We are grateful to Clare for sharing her exciting research with the Chemical Biology teams & Chemistry at Newcastle University.        

Prof. Angela Russell’s Seminar at Newcastle

We were thrilled to welcome Professor Angela Russell from the University of Oxford to Newcastle University as part of our Inspiring Women in ChemBio seminar series, generously sponsored by the Biochemical Society.  Prof. Russell delivered an insightful talk titled: “Development of Next Generation Utrophin Modulators for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Learning from Clinical Setbacks.”  Her presentation explored the journey of developing small molecule drugs aimed at increasing utrophin levels in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) – a progressive muscle-wasting disorder with no current cure. She shared lessons learned from the clinical development of ezutromid, the first-in-class utrophin modulator, and how her team identified its mechanism of action through binding to… Read More »Prof. Angela Russell’s Seminar at Newcastle

Nature’s Chemists: Dr. Sarah Barry Visits Newcastle

On June 11th, Newcastle University’s Chemical Biology Special Interest Group was delighted to host Dr. Sarah Barry from King’s College London as part of the Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology seminar series, proudly sponsored by the Biochemical Society.  Dr. Barry, who leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on bacterial metabolism and natural product biosynthesis, delivered an engaging seminar titled “Learning from Nature’s Chemists.” Her talk explored how nature’s own chemical strategies can inspire innovative approaches in synthetic biology and drug discovery.  A highlight of the visit was a lunch with early career researchers, offering a valuable opportunity for informal discussion for PhD students, postdocs and fellows. Attendees included members from… Read More »Nature’s Chemists: Dr. Sarah Barry Visits Newcastle

Celebrating North East Women in Chemical Biology

On a bright afternoon in May, researchers gathered in Newcastle University’s Baddiley-Clark Building for the Chemical Biology Symposium: Spotlight on Women in the North-East, a key event in the Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology seminar series, supported by the Biochemical Society.  The symposium was more than just a scientific meeting — it was a celebration of the achievements of women in STEM and a platform for fostering meaningful dialogue and collaboration within the Chemical Biology community in the North East of England.  The event opened with two captivating talks:  Dr Ting-Yu Lin (Durham University) presented “Decoding RNA Modifications: From Molecular Mechanisms to Disease Pathways,” offering a deep dive into the… Read More »Celebrating North East Women in Chemical Biology

Prof. Flashman Kicks Off NU’s Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology Seminar Series in 2025

In March 2025, Newcastle University’s Chemistry Biology Special Interest Group had the pleasure of welcoming Prof Emily Flashman from the University of Oxford for the first seminar in a new series of talks focusing on Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology, proudly sponsored by the Biochemical Society.  Prof. Flashman delivered a captivating seminar titled “How plant cysteine oxidases mediate hypoxia and redox stress-signalling during submergence”, offering deep insights into the molecular mechanisms that plants use to respond to low oxygen environments. Her work, which bridges biochemistry and plant physiology, sparked engaging discussions among attendees and highlighted the importance of redox biology in environmental stress responses.  Prof. Flashman’s met with academics from… Read More »Prof. Flashman Kicks Off NU’s Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology Seminar Series in 2025

International Women’s Day 2025

On International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women in science. The Kawamura Research Group are proud to be a part of this global movement and this year’s theme, “Inspire Inclusion”, resonates deeply with our group’s ethos.  Chemical biology thrives on collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and perspectives. We’re fortunate to work in an environment where diverse voices shape our scientific work and team activities.  “Science is a collective effort, and inclusion is critical for progress. I’m proud of the brilliant women in our group who lead with curiosity and creativity.” (Prof Akane Kawamura)  Looking ahead, we’re excited for the launch of the Inspiring Women in… Read More »International Women’s Day 2025

IDWGS 2025

This February, we celebrated International Women and Girls in Science Day!   Within Newcastle University’s chemical biology research groups, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and make a difference. A special thanks to all the women in the Kawamura Research Group and McAllister Lab for their incredible contributions to the field of science!  International Women and Girls in Science Day (IDWGS) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. Celebrated annually on February 11th, this day highlights the critical role women and girls play in science and technology… Read More »IDWGS 2025

Congratulations to Harriet on Her 1851 Research Fellowship!

We’re thrilled to congratulate Dr Harriet Stanway-Gordon on being awarded a prestigious Research Fellowship from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851!  Harriet’s project, CyPeMs: New Modalities for Targeting AMR and NDD, explores innovative approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance and neurodegenerative diseases using cyclic peptide-small molecule hybrids and DNA-encoded libraries. Her work holds exciting potential for the development of novel therapeutic candidates.  This is a fantastic recognition of Harriet’s talent and dedication, and we wish her every success in this next chapter of her research career.  Well done, Harriet!

International Women’s Day 2024

Friday 8th March 2024 marked International Women’s Day, which is a time to celebrate the contributions of women in various fields, including scientific research and chemical biology. Female scientists have been led ground-breaking research, contributing to our understanding of complex biological systems and the development of innovative medical treatments and drug discovery.  International Women’s Day also reinforces the importance of supporting and encouraging women in science to ensure a diverse and inclusive future for all scientific endeavours.    Emma Wadworth (PhD Student):  “To any young women, from any background, thinking of a career in science, definitely push yourself! Working towards new scientific discoveries is a challenging and rewarding experience.”   … Read More »International Women’s Day 2024

Oli Returns from Maternity Leave

In November 2023, Oli Curry – a PhD student – returned from maternity leave. Oli will be continuing her research into chemical probes for Targeted Protein Stabilisation (TPS), and the team are excited to have Oli return as a new mum.     Oli:  “It’s unbelievable I spent a big chunk of this year changing nappies and breastfeeding – maternity leave was a special time in my life, but it’s time to do some cool science again!”