Experience

UC San Diego School of Medicine

• United States
• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Research Associate

  • Jul 2022 - Present



UCL

• United Kingdom
• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Postdoctoral Researcher - Bioinformatician

  • Jun 2016 - Jul 2022

  Investigating biology behind undifferentiated sarcomas, attempting to identify subgroups through differences in methylation, transcription or genetics.

• PhD - Statistical Genetics

  • Sep 2012 - Jun 2016

  The increasing sensitivity of DNA typing technology utilised by forensic scientists has lead to crime stain profiles being obtained from increasingly minuscule amount of DNA. When DNA is present from only a few cells, or at a sub-cellular level as is now possible, stochastic effects can lead to significant challenges for the analysis of such profiles. My PhD investigated statistical issues arising from such low-template DNA samples, while simultaneously answering questions surrounding forensic… Show more The increasing sensitivity of DNA typing technology utilised by forensic scientists has lead to crime stain profiles being obtained from increasingly minuscule amount of DNA. When DNA is present from only a few cells, or at a sub-cellular level as is now possible, stochastic effects can lead to significant challenges for the analysis of such profiles. My PhD investigated statistical issues arising from such low-template DNA samples, while simultaneously answering questions surrounding forensic STR data that have until now remained unresolved.

• MSc Project

  • Jan 2012 - Aug 2012

  For this project, I developed a pipeline for the analysis of RNAseq data, with the aim of identifying alternatively spliced exons and/or genes. The pipeline involved aligning raw Illumina reads, generating count data, and analysis of read counts at both an exon- and gene-level. The gene ontology of any genes/exons that were implicated as having been differentially expressed between conditions are then analysed to discover enriched pathways/functions in up- and down-regulated gene/exons… Show more For this project, I developed a pipeline for the analysis of RNAseq data, with the aim of identifying alternatively spliced exons and/or genes. The pipeline involved aligning raw Illumina reads, generating count data, and analysis of read counts at both an exon- and gene-level. The gene ontology of any genes/exons that were implicated as having been differentially expressed between conditions are then analysed to discover enriched pathways/functions in up- and down-regulated gene/exons separately. The final analysis highlighted the critical role that the RMM2 region of TDP-43 plays in splicing regulation, with mutation of the RMM2 region leading to up-regulation of genes related to ion-transport and synaptic parts. This fits well with TDP-43s known role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.



Tropical Biology Association

• United Kingdom
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Field Course

  • Oct 2010 - Dec 2010

  Web characteristics, hunting behaviour and cooperation between conspecifics in Stegodyphus social spider from Kirindy Forest. Social spiders from the genus Stegodyphus are common in eastern Africa and are also abundant in the deciduous forest of Kirindy, western Madagascar. We studied number and size of individuals in relation to size of the webs they inhabit, investigated the role different sectors of web play in prey capture, and tested cooperation in hunting and web building… Show more Web characteristics, hunting behaviour and cooperation between conspecifics in Stegodyphus social spider from Kirindy Forest. Social spiders from the genus Stegodyphus are common in eastern Africa and are also abundant in the deciduous forest of Kirindy, western Madagascar. We studied number and size of individuals in relation to size of the webs they inhabit, investigated the role different sectors of web play in prey capture, and tested cooperation in hunting and web building between individuals from same and different colonies. We found that the number and size of spiders was correlated with web size and that the studied spider species was more active at night than during the day. The external ‘catching web' was found to be less efficient in prey capture than 'retreat web'. We observed that artificially established groups of individuals from different home colonies do not differ significantly in web-building and hunting performance from groups of individuals originating from the same web. Grzegorz Swierzewski, Warsaw University, Poland Christopher Steele, Bristol University, UK Show less Web characteristics, hunting behaviour and cooperation between conspecifics in Stegodyphus social spider from Kirindy Forest. Social spiders from the genus Stegodyphus are common in eastern Africa and are also abundant in the deciduous forest of Kirindy, western Madagascar. We studied number and size of individuals in relation to size of the webs they inhabit, investigated the role different sectors of web play in prey capture, and tested cooperation in hunting and web building… Show more Web characteristics, hunting behaviour and cooperation between conspecifics in Stegodyphus social spider from Kirindy Forest. Social spiders from the genus Stegodyphus are common in eastern Africa and are also abundant in the deciduous forest of Kirindy, western Madagascar. We studied number and size of individuals in relation to size of the webs they inhabit, investigated the role different sectors of web play in prey capture, and tested cooperation in hunting and web building between individuals from same and different colonies. We found that the number and size of spiders was correlated with web size and that the studied spider species was more active at night than during the day. The external ‘catching web' was found to be less efficient in prey capture than 'retreat web'. We observed that artificially established groups of individuals from different home colonies do not differ significantly in web-building and hunting performance from groups of individuals originating from the same web. Grzegorz Swierzewski, Warsaw University, Poland Christopher Steele, Bristol University, UK Show less



University of Bristol

• United Kingdom
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• BSc Project

  • Jan 2010 - Jun 2010

  Investigated the olfactory/gustatory sensory capabilities of Megabunus diadema and Porcellio scaber, through observations of behaviour on presentation of all pairwise combinations of toxic, neutral and positive substances. We found no evidence of long range olfactory detection of a food substrate in either species, and no evidence of long range olfactory avoidance of toxic copper sulphate in Porcellio scaber. Both species showed persistence at a food substrate, suggesting gustatory abilities on… Show more Investigated the olfactory/gustatory sensory capabilities of Megabunus diadema and Porcellio scaber, through observations of behaviour on presentation of all pairwise combinations of toxic, neutral and positive substances. We found no evidence of long range olfactory detection of a food substrate in either species, and no evidence of long range olfactory avoidance of toxic copper sulphate in Porcellio scaber. Both species showed persistence at a food substrate, suggesting gustatory abilities on touch. Porcellio scaber showed increased grooming behaviour post-contact with the toxic substrate. Show less Investigated the olfactory/gustatory sensory capabilities of Megabunus diadema and Porcellio scaber, through observations of behaviour on presentation of all pairwise combinations of toxic, neutral and positive substances. We found no evidence of long range olfactory detection of a food substrate in either species, and no evidence of long range olfactory avoidance of toxic copper sulphate in Porcellio scaber. Both species showed persistence at a food substrate, suggesting gustatory abilities on… Show more Investigated the olfactory/gustatory sensory capabilities of Megabunus diadema and Porcellio scaber, through observations of behaviour on presentation of all pairwise combinations of toxic, neutral and positive substances. We found no evidence of long range olfactory detection of a food substrate in either species, and no evidence of long range olfactory avoidance of toxic copper sulphate in Porcellio scaber. Both species showed persistence at a food substrate, suggesting gustatory abilities on touch. Porcellio scaber showed increased grooming behaviour post-contact with the toxic substrate. Show less