Postdocs
Dr Ahmad Kenaan
[email protected] Ahmad received his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2010 from the Lebanese university, Lebanon, his master’s degree in synthesis, catalysis, and sustainable chemistry in 2011 from Claude Bernard University – Lyon1 (France), and his Ph.D in biophysics in 2016 from Aix-Marseille University (France). In 2017, Ahmad joined Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) as postdoc to develop smart nanocarriers for drug delivery and iron fortification of foods. Later in 2018, Ahmad joined University of York (UK) to develop label free optical biosensors toward biomedical applications. In 2021, Ahmad joined Prognomics Ltd. as senior R&D engineer to develop a new graphene biosensor for Covid19 variants detection. The project was in collaboration with University of Manchester and University of Cambridge in the UK. In 2022, Ahmad joined the bioengineering department at Imperial college of London as Research associate. His main project is focusing on developing conductive hydrogel microneedles for the sensitive and selective detection of scleroderma from interstitial fluid (ISF) that supports point of care testing. |
Dr Oliver Teenan
[email protected] Oliver is a Postdoc between the Ladame group and the Higgins group, interested in microRNA biomarkers within liquid biopsies that can be used for repeat, non-invasive sampling and tracking. Oliver completed his degree in Biosciences at Exeter University, then his PhD at the University of Edinburgh working to enhance microRNA in serum liquid biopsies of kidney disease models in February 2022. Since joining the lab, Oliver is investigating the use of interstitial skin fluid from patients with Scleroderma to enhance early clinical detection and progression tracking of the disease from non-invasive sampling, funded by the Leo foundation. Oliver spends time competing in long distance triathlon and the occasional marathon. |
PhD students
Mr Marc Soler
[email protected]
Marc is a first year PhD student working on the development of RNA sensors based on engineered nanoparticle and peptide nucleic acids. Marc completed his BSc(Hons) in Chemistry at Kingston University (2021) with a summer internship in Organic Synthesis. He then did an MRes in Drug Discovery at UCL (2022) working under the supervision of Dr Rachael Dickman on a project aiming to design novel antimicrobial peptides against Gram-negative bacteria. In his spare time, Marc enjoys practicing bouldering.
Miss Xixian Yi
[email protected]
Xixian is a first year PhD student co-supervised by Prof. Joshua Edel, Dr Sylvain Ladame and Dr Aleksandar Ivanov. She completed a MEng in Molecular Bioengineering at Imperial College in 2022. Her project is focused on using nanopore sensing and a lateral flow test to detect circulating DNA as a diagnostic option for HPV related cancers. In her free time, Xixian enjoys cooking, watching movies, doing Yoga and playing the piano.
Mr Daanyaal Khan
[email protected] Daanyaal is a second year PhD student on the MBBS/PhD programme. He completed an intercalated BSc in Medical Sciences in Cancer Frontiers in 2021. He has now taken time off his medical degree to complete an intercalated PhD, funded by a division of Cancer Research UK, the convergence science centre which aims "to bring together engineering, physical sciences, life science and medicine to develop innovative ways to address challenges in cancer." He is co-supervised by Dr Sylvain Ladame (Bioengineering) and Professor Sadaf Ghaem-Maghami (Surgery and Cancer). His research focus is on developing a point-of-care screening tool for endometrial cancer and novel biomarker detection and validation. In his free time, Daanyaal does bouldering and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. |
Mr Connor Daniels
[email protected]
Connor is a second year PhD student in the Ladame Group, funded by the Department of Bioengineering. He completed a BSc(Hons) in Chemistry with International Experience at Bangor University in 2019. This included spending a year abroad as a research assistant at Leiden University, Netherlands, working on the total synthesis of polysaccharide PS A1 under Jeroen Codee. Before starting his PhD, he spent 6 months at ATDBio, Oxford, working on the purification of Oligonucleotides for COVID-19 testing. Connor’s PhD research is focused on the development of a hydrogel-coated microneedle device to diagnose melanoma. This will be done through the detection of tumour-derived miRNA in the interstitial skin fluid. In his free time, Connor enjoys playing basketball, travelling, music, singing, theatre, playing computer games and Magic the Gathering
Miss Charlotte Hudlerova
c.hudlerova19imperial.ac.uk
Charlotte is a second year PhD student at the Institute of Chemical Biology at Imperial College London. Previously, she completed a BSc in Molecular Biology at the University of Aberdeen (2019) and then an MRes in Cancer Biology at Imperial College (2020). In her current work, she seeks to improve the early detection of prostate cancer by developing multiplexed single-molecule binding assay utilising miRNAs and electro-optical nanopore platform under the supervision of Dr Sylvain Ladame, Prof Joshua Edel, Dr Aleksander Ivanov and Prof Charlotte Bevan. In her spare time, she enjoys playing softball, travelling and learning Spanish.
c.hudlerova19imperial.ac.uk
Charlotte is a second year PhD student at the Institute of Chemical Biology at Imperial College London. Previously, she completed a BSc in Molecular Biology at the University of Aberdeen (2019) and then an MRes in Cancer Biology at Imperial College (2020). In her current work, she seeks to improve the early detection of prostate cancer by developing multiplexed single-molecule binding assay utilising miRNAs and electro-optical nanopore platform under the supervision of Dr Sylvain Ladame, Prof Joshua Edel, Dr Aleksander Ivanov and Prof Charlotte Bevan. In her spare time, she enjoys playing softball, travelling and learning Spanish.
Mr Alfie Gatehouse
[email protected]
Alfie is a final year PhD student in the Institute of Chemical Biology at Imperial College, London. Previously, he completed a BSc in Chemistry at Kingston University (2016) and then an MRes in Green Chemistry at Imperial College (2018), working under Prof Joshua Edel, investigating Ionic liquids to improve the sensitivity of nano-pipette biosensors. His PhD project entails engineering hydrogel filled nanopipettes as a diagnostic tool for early detection of prostate cancer under the supervision of Dr Ladame, Prof Edel, Dr Aleksander Ivanov and Prof Charlotte Bevan. In his spare time, Alfie enjoys playing football, learning Spanish and surfing.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alfie_Gatehouse
Miss Xiaotong Meng
[email protected]
Xiaotong is a final year PhD student co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Dr O’Hare. Previously, she completed an MRes in Biomedical Photonics at Beijing University of Technology (2015-2018), working under Prof Xiu-hong Wang and Prof Pu Wang, investigating nano-drug design and bio-imaging research. Her PhD project entails early cancer detection via electrochemical detection of microRNAs. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, climbing, singing and reading.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P5v4zjkAAAAJ&hl=en
Miss Loukia Petrou
[email protected]
Loukia is a final year PhD student in the MBBS/PhD program. She completed an intercalated BSc in Medical Sciences with Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London in 2019. She has now taken time off her medical degree to complete an intercalated PhD, funded by the March of Dimes Organisation and co-supervised by Dr Sylvain Ladame and Dr Vasso Terzidou. Her research focuses on miRNA isolation from whole blood using hydrogels as a screening tool for preterm birth. In her spare time, Loukia enjoys baking and drawing
Masters Students
Mr Nicolas Zeitouni
[email protected] Nicolas is a master's student in the MRes + PhD programme in Chemical Biology and Bio-entrepreneurship of the Institute of Chemical Biology at Imperial College London. He completed an MEng in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London in 2021. His current research focuses on building DNA-based artificial cells that can detect prostate cancer-associated miRNAs and be used as a targeted drug-delivery system. He is co-supervised by Dr Sylvain Ladame, Dr Lorenzo Di Michele, Professor Charlotte Bevan and Dr Nick Brooks. In his spare time, Nicolas enjoys playing chess, playing the guitar, singing and watching sports. Miss Shivon Dean
[email protected] Shivon is an MRes student studying Bioengineering, having joined Imperial College London after completing her undergraduate BEng degree in Chemical Engineering with a year in Industry at Swansea University. Her year in industry comprised of Biosensor development and R&D product engineering at a sensor and medical device company. Her current research focuses on the in situ detection of specific miRNAs in skin interstitial fluid using electrically conductive microneedles, to be used as a point-of-care tool. She enjoys travelling, learning new languages and trying new cafes and bakeries. |
Alumni
Mr Elmeri Latvanen
MRes student in 2020-2021 working on the development of denaturing hydrogels for on-chip release of miRNAs from proteins and exosomes.
MRes student in 2020-2021 working on the development of denaturing hydrogels for on-chip release of miRNAs from proteins and exosomes.
Dr Isobel Steer
PhD student co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Prof. Edel (2016-2020) developed and optimised new nucleic acid optical sensors
PhD student co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Prof. Edel (2016-2020) developed and optimised new nucleic acid optical sensors
Dr Philip Gillespie
PhD student co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Dr O'Hare (2016-2020) developed and optimised new electrochemical sensors for miRNA detection.
PhD student co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Dr O'Hare (2016-2020) developed and optimised new electrochemical sensors for miRNA detection.
Dr Robert Channon
Postdoctoral research associate in the O’Hare and Ladame research groups between 2018 and 2021. Robert worked on a cancer research UK grant to develop screening tools for prostate cancer based on electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers. Previously, he completed his PhD at Warwick University with Prof. Julie Macpherson (2015) and then did a 3 year postdoc with Prof. Charles Henry at Colorado State University (USA). Rob now works as Senior Lead Scientist at Continuous-Diagnostics Ltd (Huntington, UK)
Postdoctoral research associate in the O’Hare and Ladame research groups between 2018 and 2021. Robert worked on a cancer research UK grant to develop screening tools for prostate cancer based on electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers. Previously, he completed his PhD at Warwick University with Prof. Julie Macpherson (2015) and then did a 3 year postdoc with Prof. Charles Henry at Colorado State University (USA). Rob now works as Senior Lead Scientist at Continuous-Diagnostics Ltd (Huntington, UK)
Dr Yu-Chih Chen
Postdoctoral research associate in the Ladame and O'Hare research groups between March and December 2020. Danny worked on a cancer research UK grant to develop screening tools for prostate cancer based on electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers. Previously, he completed his PhD at Imperial College London with Dr Danny O'Hare (2020).
Postdoctoral research associate in the Ladame and O'Hare research groups between March and December 2020. Danny worked on a cancer research UK grant to develop screening tools for prostate cancer based on electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers. Previously, he completed his PhD at Imperial College London with Dr Danny O'Hare (2020).
Mr Yunus Kemal Kutlu
MRes Student studying Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship in the group between 2019 - 2020. Yunus worked on the development of microneedle patch miRNA sensors for detection of diseases in interstitial fluids.
MRes Student studying Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship in the group between 2019 - 2020. Yunus worked on the development of microneedle patch miRNA sensors for detection of diseases in interstitial fluids.
Miss Elena Aldareguia
MEng student in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering between 2019 - 2020. Worked on developing lateral flow assays for Preterm birth via miRNA detection. Elena is now undertaking a Master's degree in the Management of Pharma-Biotech Companies at Universidad de Navarra
MEng student in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering between 2019 - 2020. Worked on developing lateral flow assays for Preterm birth via miRNA detection. Elena is now undertaking a Master's degree in the Management of Pharma-Biotech Companies at Universidad de Navarra
Dr. Md Nazmul Islam
Postdoctoral research associate in the O’Hare and Ladame research groups between 2018 and 2020. Nazmul worked on a cancer research UK grant to develop screening tools for prostate cancer based on electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers. Previously, he completed his PhD with Dr Muhammad Shiddiky and Prof Nam-Trung Nguyen at Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnolohgy Centre, Griffith University, Australia in 2018. He has now moved to Teeside University (UK) to start his independent academic career.
Postdoctoral research associate in the O’Hare and Ladame research groups between 2018 and 2020. Nazmul worked on a cancer research UK grant to develop screening tools for prostate cancer based on electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers. Previously, he completed his PhD with Dr Muhammad Shiddiky and Prof Nam-Trung Nguyen at Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnolohgy Centre, Griffith University, Australia in 2018. He has now moved to Teeside University (UK) to start his independent academic career.
Miss Anthea Chan
MSc Bioengineering student in 2019, working on Probe Encapsulated By Biologically Localised Embedding (PEBBLE) biosensors. Previously, she completed her BEng Biomedical Engineering degree at Imperial College London. She is now starting a PhD in the Biochemical Engineering Department at UCL.
MSc Bioengineering student in 2019, working on Probe Encapsulated By Biologically Localised Embedding (PEBBLE) biosensors. Previously, she completed her BEng Biomedical Engineering degree at Imperial College London. She is now starting a PhD in the Biochemical Engineering Department at UCL.
Mr Benjamin Benac
MSc student in biomedical engineering in 2019 where he developed lateral flow assays to capture cancer-related miRNAs. Previously, he studied general engineering at Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France, and worked at the Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory in Boston as a research intern to analyse the processing of vestibular signals by the brain. Benjamin is now working in scientific marketing in France.
MSc student in biomedical engineering in 2019 where he developed lateral flow assays to capture cancer-related miRNAs. Previously, he studied general engineering at Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France, and worked at the Jenks Vestibular Physiology Laboratory in Boston as a research intern to analyse the processing of vestibular signals by the brain. Benjamin is now working in scientific marketing in France.
Dr Dana Al Sulaiman
PhD student co-supervised by Sylvain and Prof. Josh Edel between 2015 and 2019. Dana developed fluorogenic hydrogel and nanopore based tools to detect cancer biomarkers in biofluids through an Imperial College PhD scholarship. Previously, she completed a MEng degree in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London. She has now moved to MIT (USA) to start a postdoc with Prof. Patrick Doyle.
PhD student co-supervised by Sylvain and Prof. Josh Edel between 2015 and 2019. Dana developed fluorogenic hydrogel and nanopore based tools to detect cancer biomarkers in biofluids through an Imperial College PhD scholarship. Previously, she completed a MEng degree in Biomedical Engineering at Imperial College London. She has now moved to MIT (USA) to start a postdoc with Prof. Patrick Doyle.
Mr Stuart Chai
MEng Biomedical Engineering student in the group in 2019. His final year project focused on developing a Probe Encapsulated By Biologically Localised Embedding (PEBBLE) biosensor for cancer diagnostic, which aims to help early cancer diagnosis through the detection of cancer biomarkers using DNA probes immobilised in hydrogels.
MEng Biomedical Engineering student in the group in 2019. His final year project focused on developing a Probe Encapsulated By Biologically Localised Embedding (PEBBLE) biosensor for cancer diagnostic, which aims to help early cancer diagnosis through the detection of cancer biomarkers using DNA probes immobilised in hydrogels.
Mr Suraj Shankar
M.Res in Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship student in the group in 2018-19, on a Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship. His research focused on paper-based oligonucleotide reactions for the prediction of pregnancy related disorders. Previously he completed a B.E degree in Biotechnology at PES Institute of Technology (Bangalore, India). He has now moved to Cambridge to start a PhD.
M.Res in Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship student in the group in 2018-19, on a Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship. His research focused on paper-based oligonucleotide reactions for the prediction of pregnancy related disorders. Previously he completed a B.E degree in Biotechnology at PES Institute of Technology (Bangalore, India). He has now moved to Cambridge to start a PhD.
Dr Jason Chang
Postdoctoral research associate in the Ladame group between August and December 2016, developing different detection platforms for miRNA via oligonucleotide-template reactions. Previously, Jason completed his MEng (Hons) in Product Design Engineering (Loughborough University) in 2009, and then joined Imperial College to obtain his MSc in Bioengineering in 2010. He then did a 6-month internship at University of Arizona working on developing a medium-throughput VE-cadherin screening assay. In 2011, he returned to Imperial College to pursue his PhD in ocular biomechanics with Dr. Overby followed by a 12-month internship at Duke University (2013-2014), before completing his PhD in April 2016. He is now undergoing a Postdoc with Prof. Darrell J Irvine at MIT (USA).
Postdoctoral research associate in the Ladame group between August and December 2016, developing different detection platforms for miRNA via oligonucleotide-template reactions. Previously, Jason completed his MEng (Hons) in Product Design Engineering (Loughborough University) in 2009, and then joined Imperial College to obtain his MSc in Bioengineering in 2010. He then did a 6-month internship at University of Arizona working on developing a medium-throughput VE-cadherin screening assay. In 2011, he returned to Imperial College to pursue his PhD in ocular biomechanics with Dr. Overby followed by a 12-month internship at Duke University (2013-2014), before completing his PhD in April 2016. He is now undergoing a Postdoc with Prof. Darrell J Irvine at MIT (USA).
Dr Gavin Metcalf
PhD student in the ladame group between 2013 and 2016, funded on a joint Cancer Research UK and Imperial College Faculty of Engineering (Bioengineering) PhD 3 year Studentship. His research focused upon developing novel fluorogenic Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probes to detect microRNAs as cancer biomakers. Previously, he completed his BSc Hons. Degree in Human Biosciences (Biochemistry) in 2012, and then joined Imperial College to gain his MRes Degree in Cancer Biology with Distinction in 2013. He now works for as a Clinical Research Scientist at SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics
PhD student in the ladame group between 2013 and 2016, funded on a joint Cancer Research UK and Imperial College Faculty of Engineering (Bioengineering) PhD 3 year Studentship. His research focused upon developing novel fluorogenic Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probes to detect microRNAs as cancer biomakers. Previously, he completed his BSc Hons. Degree in Human Biosciences (Biochemistry) in 2012, and then joined Imperial College to gain his MRes Degree in Cancer Biology with Distinction in 2013. He now works for as a Clinical Research Scientist at SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics
Dr Douglas Vair-Turnbull
PhD student in the Ladame lab between 2013 and 2016, working on therapeutic applications of PNA-small molecule ligands, specifically for targeting G-quadruplexes in oncogenes. He completed his MBiolSci integrated Undergraduate and Master’s in Biochemistry (University of Sheffield) in 2012. For the 4th year he elected to undertake a year in industry and worked in the High Content Biology Department at AstraZeneca. He currently works for C4X Discovery as a Commercial Insights Manager.
PhD student in the Ladame lab between 2013 and 2016, working on therapeutic applications of PNA-small molecule ligands, specifically for targeting G-quadruplexes in oncogenes. He completed his MBiolSci integrated Undergraduate and Master’s in Biochemistry (University of Sheffield) in 2012. For the 4th year he elected to undertake a year in industry and worked in the High Content Biology Department at AstraZeneca. He currently works for C4X Discovery as a Commercial Insights Manager.
Mr Adam Gregory
Adam did a MRes in Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Dr O'Hare. He completed his MChem Hons. Degree in Chemistry in 2015 before joining Imperial College Bioengineering. Adam’s research focused on developing a device capable of electrochemically detecting microRNA oncomirs, using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, as cancer diagnostic tools. He now works for Advanced Medical Solutions as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate.
Adam did a MRes in Medical Device Design and Entrepreneurship co-supervised by Dr Ladame and Dr O'Hare. He completed his MChem Hons. Degree in Chemistry in 2015 before joining Imperial College Bioengineering. Adam’s research focused on developing a device capable of electrochemically detecting microRNA oncomirs, using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, as cancer diagnostic tools. He now works for Advanced Medical Solutions as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate.
Dr Mazen Haj Sleiman
Postdoctoral research associate in the Ladame group between 2013 and 2016, developing OFF/ON fluorescent biosensors based on oligonucleotide-template reactions in order to detect DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes. Previously, Mazen worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the Bradley group (2009-2012/University of Edindurgh) on the design and synthesis of libraries of peptidomimetic inhibitors against E3 ligases (Ubiquitin Proteasome System project funded by Scottish Enterprise).
Postdoctoral research associate in the Ladame group between 2013 and 2016, developing OFF/ON fluorescent biosensors based on oligonucleotide-template reactions in order to detect DNA and RNA G-quadruplexes. Previously, Mazen worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the Bradley group (2009-2012/University of Edindurgh) on the design and synthesis of libraries of peptidomimetic inhibitors against E3 ligases (Ubiquitin Proteasome System project funded by Scottish Enterprise).