For my undergraduate degree, I studied Biomedical Science at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 2020. During my studies, I undertook a yearlong sandwich placement in the Noël lab at the University of Sheffield, where I worked as a research assistant. My project focussed on using zebrafish to study the genetic and cellular mechanisms involved in cardiac development, sparking my interest in developmental biology.

Following this I completed a summer placement at SickKids Hospital (Toronto) in the Scott lab, where I explored the role of cerebral cavernous malformation 3 (CCM3) in cerebrovascular development and disease. These hands-on research experiences deepened my passion for cardiovascular biology and motivated me to pursue a 4-year PhD BHF studentship in Cardiovascular Science at the University of Manchester.

Under the supervision of Dr Gina Galli, Prof Holly Shiels and Prof Roger Sturmey my PhD focusses on using the zebrafish model to investigate the long-term effects hyperglycaemia and hypoxia has on cardiac morphology and function. We hypothesise an early embryonic exposure to elevated glucose and hypoxia may programme cardiovascular abnormalities, ultimately contributing to cardiovascular dysfunction in adulthood.