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Biography
I started my academic journey studying Applied Pharmacology, where I quickly found myself drawn to neuropharmacology and neuroimmunology. Following this, I undertook an MRes at the University of Glasgow and worked on antibody-complement interactions in Guillain–Barré syndrome. After, I stayed at Glasgow for my PhD with Prof. Julia Edgar to investigate how inflammatory stresses affect oligodendrocytes and myelination in diseases affecting central nervous system white matter. During this time, I also carried out research investigating the role of SARM1 in Zika virus-related axonal degeneration.
After my doctorate, I moved to the UK Dementia Research Institute at The University of Edinburgh to complete a postdoc in Dr Barry McColl’s lab. There, I focused on how cells of the immune system, particularly myeloid cells, contributes to brain repair and neuroplasticity following stroke. I explored how pro-repair functions of the immune system can be pharmacologically enhanced to, for example, promote long-term functional recovery of motor function deficits.
In 2024, I joined the University of Dundee as a Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences, D’Arcy Thompson Unit. Now focused on higher education teaching and scholarship, I aim to bring my expertise in the life sciences to teach and support students. I am also committed to ensuring that students develop both a solid foundation of academic knowledge but also the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for success in research, healthcare, and industry.
I contribute to curriculum design (immunology), assessment strategy, outreach and recruitment within the School of Life Sciences, and I am an Adviser of Studies. I’m a Member of the Royal Society of Biology and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Research
Crawford, C.L., Antoniou, C., Komarek, L., Schultz, V., Donald, C.L., Montague, P., Barnett, S.C., Linington, C., Willison, H.J., Kohl, A., Coleman, M.P., Edgar, J.M. (2022). “SARM1 depletion slows axon degeneration in a CNS model of neurotropic viral infection”. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.
McGonigal, R., Campbell, C.I., Barrie, J.A., Yao, D., Cunningham, M.E., Crawford, C.L., Rinaldi, S., Rowan, E.G., Willison, H.J. (2022). “Schwann cell nodal membrane disruption triggers bystander axonal degeneration in a Guillain-Barré syndrome mouse model”. Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Schultz, V., Barrie, J.A., Donald, C.L., Crawford, C.L., Mullin, M., Anderson, T.J., Solomon, T., Barnett, S.C., Linington, C., Kohl, A., Willison, H.J., Edgar, J.M. (2021). “Oligodendrocytes are susceptible to Zika virus infection in a mouse model of perinatal exposure: implications for CNS complications”. Glia.
Bijland, S., Thomson, G., Euston, M., Michail, K., Thümmler, K., Mücklisch, S., Crawford, C L., Barnett, S.C., McLaughlin, M., Anderson, T.J., Linington, C., Brown, E.R., Kalkman, E.R., Edgar, J.M. (2019). “An in vitro model for studying CNS white matter: functional properties and experimental approaches”. F1000Research.
Teaching
I am responsible for delivering undergraduate and postgraduate education in the Faculty of Life Sciences. I am module lead for, and contribute teaching to, the following modules:
- BS32009 Immunology (co-lead, BSc)
- BS52009 Therapeutics (lead, MSc)
I contribute teaching to:
- BS22001 Human Physiology and Pharmacology
- BS22002 Biomolecular Mechanisms
- BS22003 Core Skills in the Life Sciences 2B
Within the Faculty of Health, I contribute teaching to:
- DS21001 Clinical Dentistry 1: Foundation for Dental Practice
- DS31001 Clinical Dentistry 3