Could you tell us about your contribution, Liz?

I’ve been awarded my associate professorship for my outstanding contribution to R&I. I’m a cell biologist leading an internationally recognised research group in the field of translational control. My primary research focus is to understand the mechanisms of how cells control protein translation during stress and disease. This regulation plays an important role in controlling adaptation to stress as it can specifically and temporally regulate the expression of a protein or a population of proteins to allow cells to respond to their environment and is known as the Integrated Stress Response (ISR). The ISR is critical for healthy development and dysregulation of this response has been implicated as a major cause of pathogenicity in many diseases ranging from neurodegenerative diseases affecting both children and adults to cancers, metabolic disorders, and even age-related cognitive decline. The work from my group and collaborations that I’ve established are making an influential change to how we understand this regulation of protein synthesis and the many diseases it impacts.

My significant contribution is to T&L. Prior to joining Sheffield Hallam there was no teaching of the regulation of protein synthesis in our courses. I have integrated these new research and theoretical concepts into the curriculum at both UG and PGT levels. At the heart of my teaching is the application of knowledge learnt. To fulfil this, my teaching is directly informed by my research and I use innovative methods to apply the knowledge. UG and MSc research projects offered within my lab are linked to the modules I teach and enable the students to see the theoretical knowledge applied directly, as well as contributing to the development of this research.

What does it mean personally to you to be an associate professor at Hallam?

I’m extremely proud of this achievement as sustaining a research lab while teaching and carrying out other academic roles is really challenging, and I’m thrilled that the University recognises and sees the importance of my lab’s contribution to research and knowledge creation.

Tell us a bit about your career story so far.

I started my academic journey completing a degree in Microbiology at Trinity College Dublin. I stayed there to complete my PhD, and this really established my interest and passion for understanding cellular molecular mechanisms. My PhD research investigated the transcriptional regulation of histone mRNA in the yeast. I then moved to The University of Manchester and carried out several years of post-doctoral research investigating the localisation of translation initiation factors during stress. I then completed a leadership and management course and obtained a management position within the technical team in the Biosciences and Chemistry Department here at Sheffield Hallam. Here, I developed key leadership skills which I have been able to embed in the leadership of my research group and my role as Postgraduate Research Tutor (PGRT). In 2013, I joined the department’s academic team, and this really ignited my love for teaching and allowed me to bring new techniques and research expertise to the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC). Alongside teaching on a range of different modules and courses and establishing a research group, I have also had a number of more roles such as Admission Tutor, where I have played an integral role in the recruitment of students to our courses, and recently the PGRT role within the BMRC.

If you could go back in time and give yourself some career advice, what would it be?

Take time each year to reflect on what aspects of your role you enjoy and really try and identify things that can develop these interests.

Also, get yourself a mentor early in your career!

What’s next? How do you want to further develop your contribution?

I’m excited to develop my research through establishing new collaborations both internally and externally. I’m also looking forward to further developing my PGRT role through continuing my involvement with embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in PGR recruitment and showcasing our PGR development initiatives nationally by attending and presenting at conferences.