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Women in STEM

Dr Megan Wright Closes Inspiring Webinar Series

This month we were delighted to host Dr Megan Wright from the University of Leeds for the final talk in our Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology seminar series, proudly supported by the Biochemical Society.  Dr Wright delivered an engaging and insightful presentation titled “Covalent chemical probes for in‑cell protein labelling”, offering a window into how her group designs and applies innovative chemical tools to study biological mechanisms directly within native cellular environments. Her work highlights the power of covalent strategies to illuminate complex protein function with precision and creativity.  This seminar was a fantastic conclusion to the series, showcasing not only impactful science but also inspiring leadership within the chemical biology community. Dr Wright’s clarity, enthusiasm, and thoughtful… Read More »Dr Megan Wright Closes Inspiring Webinar Series

Celebrating Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology on IWD

On International Women’s Day, we were proud to shine a spotlight on the remarkable scientists who have contributed to Newcastle University’s seminar series, Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology, which was sponsored by the Biochemical Society.  Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming an exceptional group of researchers whose work is shaping the future of chemical biology:  Prof. Emily Flashman – University of Oxford  Dr. Sarah Barry – King’s College London  Prof. Angela Russell – University of Oxford  Prof. Clare Mahon – Durham University    Each seminar not only highlighted cutting-edge scientific advances but also opened up meaningful conversations with our early career researchers. Our speakers generously shared insights from their scientific achievements alongside the personal experiences that have influenced their career paths – creating… Read More »Celebrating Inspiring Women in Chemical Biology on IWD

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are proud to celebrate the remarkable women who shape and strengthen the Kawamura Research Group and the McAllister Lab at Newcastle University.  Across our laboratories, women researchers, students, and collaborators drive innovation through their curiosity, resilience, and creativity. Their work spans chemical biology, peptide science, glycobiology, and beyond – pushing scientific boundaries while inspiring the next generation of scientists. Their contributions are not only essential to our group but to the advancement of science globally.

Joanna Nominated for an NU Technicians Award

At the end of an exciting 2025, we were delighted to celebrate Dr Joanna Bonnici, Scientific Officer in the Kawamura Research Group, on being nominated for the NU Technician Contribution to Research Award. This nomination is a fantastic recognition of the significant impact that Joanna has across our chemical biology section at Newcastle University.  Joanna plays a central role in ensuring that our research environment operates at the highest possible standard. Her exceptional organisational skills, proactive leadership, and deep technical knowledge bring consistency, safety, and efficiency to every aspect of our laboratory work. From overseeing essential day‑to‑day lab operations and organising ice scraper amnesties, to contributing to our lab’s Gold LEAF certification and supporting the PhD students and Early Career Researchers in the MoSMed CDT, Joanna’s managerial skills help the entire team excel.  Being shortlisted… Read More »Joanna Nominated for an NU Technicians Award

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