Summary

I am Associate Professor in Cell and Molecular Biology at the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences. In addition to my other academic roles (see other sections), I have reviewed submissions for dozens of scientific journals and research grant applications. I am presently Executive Editor for the journal , Reviews Editor for , and Associate/Special Issues Editor for . I am also a member of the Grants Committee of the . I also regularly communicate my research, as well as our School's courses, at external outreach events (schools, charities, funder's events). 

Biography

I have a BSc in Biochemistry from Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. I then obtained a PhD in cellular pharmacology from the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, under the supervision of Prof Sir Magdi Yacoub. Following this, I became an EU Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at Lund University, Sweden, working with Prof. Björn Dahlbäck on the molecular mechanisms of Gas6/TAM signalling in cells. I continued my research under a further postdoctoral fellowship and then as an independent investigator (Docent) at Lund University. In 2009, I joined the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú as Senior Lecturer, and in September 2017 I was promoted to Reader in Cell and Molecular Biology. 

Research interests

1) Gas6-TAM ligand-receptor signalling and its role in normal and pathophysiological cell biology, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The latter research has been funded in part by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. 
2) Intracellular signalling via the Tensin family proteins in normal and cancer cell biology. 


For further information about my research please visit my lab page
Further information is also avilable on , and . 
Current and past research project supervision: PhD, Prof Doc in biomedical science, PhD by Publication, MRes, MSc, undergraduate research placements (incl Wellcome), international research placements (e.g. ERASMUS, Brazilian 'Science without Borders').

I welcome enquiries and applications from students wishing to be supervised on PhD or MRes projects within the areas of research descibed above. 

Teaching responsibilities

I teach on multiple modules across all courses within the School: BSc Pharmacology, BSc Biomedical Science, MPharmacy, MSc Medical Biotechnology. 
I am module co-ordinator for the following: (i) Final year Project (BSc Pharmacology, BSc Biomedical Science) (40 credits), (ii) Research-Based Work Experience (BSc Pharmacology, BSc Biomedical Science)(40 credits), (iii) Molecular Medicine (MSc Medical Biotechnology)(30 credits); (iv) Pharmacology Work Placement Year (120 credits). 

Research outputs

2024

Hafizi, S., Pisapia, F., Rasekh, M., Rees, D.

1 Jun 2024, In: Applied Sciences. 14, 11, 20p., 4796

Aydin, N., Ferland, G., Hafizi, S., Ouliass, B.

18 May 2024, In: Cells. 13, 10, 20p., 873