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The Future Investigators of Regenerative Medicine (FIRM) is an international society that brings together early-career researchers passionate about regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Our keynotes and delegates have diverse, multidisciplinary backgrounds from molecular biology to mechanical engineering. The unique atmosphere at FIRM allows young scientists to expand their regenerative medicine network, facilitate collaborations and hone their career development skills.  

FIRM was established in 2013 by PhD students of the EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) in Regenerative Medicine based between Loughborough, Keele and Nottingham University. Over the years, our community has grown to exceed 250 researchers from more than 60 world-class institutions based in over 20 different countries. FIRM has been a hugely successful project, and we hope you will join us on our journey to strengthen the links within regenerative medicine.

“FIRM is a friendly, interactive conference with a unique atmosphere. I couldn’t recommend it enough for PhD students in regenerative medicine.”

Current Committee

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Dan
Merryweather

Loughborough University

Dan is a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Loughborough, currently working on the development of biological AI via the EU Future and Emerging Technologies NeuCHIP project. Previously Dan has held positions at the University of Bath and Keele University.

 

Dan has a background in using microfluidics and microfabricated culture chambers to physically control cell growth and spatial interactions both on 2D culture surfaces and in 3D hydrogel cultures. Starting academic life in cell culture, Dan has also branched out into electron microscopy, photolithography, and surface chemistry analysis to aid in the development of novel microfabricated tools to optimise in vitro models of biological tissues. 

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Isobel
Jobson

University of Nottingham

Isobel graduated with a Master's in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool. She is currently undertaking her PhD within the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham.

 

Isobel's PhD focusses on a dual approach to target hard-to-treat cancers such as glioblastoma. This work utilises cell-mediated polymerisation to treat tumours using a reverse prodrug approach and is combined with applying low intensity, alternating current electric fields, known as tumour treating fields, to target the cancer further.​

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Victoria
Hughes

University of Birmingham

Victoria is a lifETIME CDT PhD student based at the University of Birmingham. Her project focuses on building a 3D in vitro model of the human cornea; she works with various human corneal cell types and incorporates these into different collagen gels, to mimic each layer of the cornea.

 

Victoria’s background is a BSc (Hons) in bioveterinary science, followed by 2 years spent working in industry within early-stage drug development. She has interests in non-animal technologies and moving science beyond a reliance on in vivo models, to streamline drug development processes and improve therapeutic outputs for everyone!

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Gabriele Gelezauskaite

University of Sheffield

Gabriele is a BBSRC and AstraZeneca-funded PhD student at the University of Sheffield working on a project which investigates how genetic variants arise in pluripotent stem cells, with the aims to understand and help mitigate, the safety implications associated with clinical pluripotent stem cell use.  Her interests lie in translational science, applying core cell and molecular biology principles to improving patient cell therapy safety and efficacy, and multi-disciplinary research and engineering approaches to tackle current regenerative medicine hurdles. 

 

Following her PhD, Gabriele hopes to continue her journey in the regenerative medicine safety space, working towards a translational, precision medicine, to drive cell and gene therapy towards routine, life-changing and safe clinical use.

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Olivia Johnson-Love

University of Strathclyde

Whilst completing her Bachelor of Science in Physics with Astrophysics at the University of Glasgow, Olivia became interested in the application of physics and engineering in medicine. This led her to study Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, obtaining a Master of Science with Distinction, before continuing on to a PhD in Professor Stuart Reid and Dr Peter Child's nanokicking group.

 

Her research interests are mainly centred in cell biology, specifically in understanding the response of cells to mechanical stimulation with the aim of directing cell response for therapy. She is currently exploring optimising the osteogenic response of stem cells when exposed to vibrational stimulation.

Previous Committees

2022

  • Chris Simpson - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

  • Lydia Beeken - University of Nottingham

  • Domhnall Kelly - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

  • Catherine Beltran - Loughborough University

 

2020

  • Katya Pchelintseva - Imperial College London

  • Niamh - University of Liverpool

  • Catherine Beltran - Loughborough University

  • Domhnall Kelly - Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

  • Lydia Beeken - University of Nottingham

2019

  • Phoebe McCrorie - University of Nottingham

  • Daniel Green - University of Liverpool

  • Christopher Hill - University of Liverpool

  • Preeti Holland - Loughborough University

  • Juan Aviles Milan - Southampton University

2018

  • Michael Glinka - University of Southampton

  • James Kusena -  Loughborough University

  • Rabea Loczenski - University of Nottingham

  • Gastón Agustín Primo - Queen Mary University of London

2017

  • Gianluca Cidonio - University of Southampton

  • Lia Blokpoel Ferreras - University of Nottingham

  • Zuzana Kočí - Charles University in Prague

  • Susanne Renz - University of Southampton

  • Stephen Ruck -  Loughborough University

  • Laura Ruiz-Harrison - University of Nottingham

2016

  • Richard Harrison - University of Nottingham

  • Helen Jesson -  Loughborough University 

  • Inés Moreno - University of Southampton

2014

  • Thomas Heathman - Loughborough University

  • Alex Lomas - Keele University

  • Hareklea Markides -  Keele University

  • David Smith - Loughborough University

2013

  • Alex Lomas - Keele University

  • Hareklea Markides -  Keele University

  • Jim Rose - University of Nottingham

  • David Smith - Loughborough University​​

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