Contact
Biography
Jenni Harvey obtained a BSc honours degree in Pharmacology at the University of Edinburgh (1990) before receiving a Ph.D. in 1993 for work on metabotropic glutamate receptors and synaptic transmission under the supervision of Prof Graham Collingridge (University of Birmingham). She then undertook postdoctoral research positions with Dr Mike Lacey (University of Birmingham) and Prof Mike Ashford (University of Aberdeen), before moving to Dundee to set up her own laboratory after being awarded a Wellcome Research Career Development Fellowship (2001). In 2005, she was awarded a Wellcome University Award to continue her studies into the role of leptin in hippocampal synaptic function.
As Associate Dean (Academic Culture and Performance) within the School of Medicine, I have overall responsibility for upholding the Universities’ core values and to help deliver the School’s strategic priorities and vision, particularly in relation to enhancing professional culture and creating an inclusive, respectful school environment for work and study.
I am specifically responsible for providing leadership and direction in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion, staff mentoring and development, probation and promotion, as well as activities aimed at ensuring that all staff are valued and engaged with delivery of the School’s strategic mission.
Research
Jenni Harvey’s research group has a long standing interest in neuronal synaptic mechanisms and in particular the cellular basis for activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the CNS. Her research is focused on understanding how the molecular processes of synaptic plasticity are influenced by hormonal systems in health and disease. Recent studies by the group have highlighted a potential cognitive enhancing role for leptin as it regulates diverse aspects of synaptic function including glutamate receptor trafficking, neuronal morphology and activity dependent synaptic plasticity. A major focus of her current research is in determining the cellular and molecular processes underlying leptin’s effects in the brain and also how dysfunctions in the leptin system impact on brain function. Her group are utilizing a range of techniques including electrophysiology, digital epifluorescence imaging, transgenic mouse technologies, molecular biology and confocal microscopy to determine the neuronal function of the hormone leptin.
Teaching
Undergraduate Science Teaching
5th Year MSCi in Pharmacology/Neuroscience
4th year BSc & BMSc Honours in Pharmacology
4th year BSc & BMSc Honours in Neuroscience
Module Course - Synaptic plasticity and cognition
Module Course Leader - Neurodegenerative Disorders
Supervision of 4th year BSc and BMSc Honours Student Projects
3rd year BSc
Quantitative Pharmacology module
Molecular Pharmacology module
Regulatory Physiology and Pharmacology module
Biomembranes module
Undergraduate Medical Student Teaching
1st year Medical Special Study Component (SSC)
1st year tutorials
Supervision of Medical Students in their 4th year laboratory-based assignment
Postgraduate Teaching
I have extensive experience of supervising both MSc and PhD students.