Dr Simon Calaminus
| Post Nominals | BSc, PhD, SFHEA |
|---|---|
| Biography | I completed my PhD in Platelet Biology from 2004-2007 at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Professor Steve Watson. During this time I specialised in the platelet actin cytoskeleton and worked alongside Professor Laura Machesky to identify the actin structure, the actin nodule within platelets. I then worked as a post doctoral scientist for Professor Laura Machesky at the Beatson Institute in Glasgow from 2007-2012. Here I worked both with megakaryocytes to identify the role of podosomes, and also with cancer cells understanding the role of the Wash complex within receptor recycling. In 2012 I moved to the University of Hull as a lecturer, where I was promoted to senior lecturer in 2018. |
| Research Interests | Understanding how blood environments affect the ability to form a clot is critical. Changes to our ability to make blood clots can lead to excessive blood clot formation and therefore a heart attack or stroke. A key cell in blood clot formation is the blood cell the platelets. I am very interested in studying platelet cell biology across three main themes Theme 1: We are developing artificial blood vessels which incorporate key physiological parameters to produce a novel in vitro model system for investigating thrombosis research. We can use this model system to monitor blood clot formation and identify the effectiveness of anti-platelet or thrombolytic therapy across a wide range of different conditions Theme 2: We investigate how platelets respond and activate to a range of different agonists and inhibitors to fully understand the range of functions that platelets complete within the body. This theme not only aims to understand how platelets respond to natural environments, but also how addition of external pollutants such as microplastics then affect and disturb these environments leading to platelet dysfunction. Theme 3: We use nanotechnology to target platelets specifically for the delivery of anti-platelet drugs and/or imaging agents to thrombi. This should improve thrombus detection using imaging agents whilst also maximising drug delivery and therefore improving patient outcomes for those who have unwanted blood clot formation. |
| Teaching and Learning | I am the module lead for the Independent Research Module in Biomedical Science. Alongside this, I lecture on both the undergraduate MBBS (Phase 1), and Biomedical Science courses, as well as postgraduate Pharmacology and Drug Development course in a lecture and seminar format. |
| Scopus Author ID | 13609379200 |
| PhD Supervision Availability | Yes |
| PhD Topics | Platelet Biology If self funded students wish to approach me to investigate the possibility of completing a PhD, then please email me directly using simon.calaminus@hyms.ac.uk |