Meet the team
Dessi MalinovaDessi is an immunologist and cell biologist interested in the molecular mechanisms of immune cell function. Her PhD in Molecular Immunology (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) investigated how immune cells interact and communicate to mount an effective immune response. She joined the MRC NIMR/ Francis Crick Institute as a postdoctoral researcher, studying B cell activation and antibody responses. In 2020, Dessi joined WWIEM as a Patrick G Johnston Fellow to establish her independent research in immune cell activation in health and disease.
Nawal KhanPratiti is a research assistant and our protein isolation and analysis expert, currently investigating ubiquitination in healthy and malignant B cells. She completed a Masters at the University of Edinburgh and undergraduate degree at QUB.
Melibea BerzosaMelibea is a research fellow interested in vaccine design and the study of how human intrinsic and extrinsic factors modulate vaccination immune responses. Her PhD in Applied medicine and Biomedicine (University of Navarra, Spain) focused on the design and preliminary evaluation of an acellular-vaccine against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC).
Niall O'HareNiall is an MSc student joining us to investigate the optimisation of vaccine delivery routes using bacterial adjuvants with a focus on Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Prior to this, he completed a BSc in Biomedical Science at Queen’s University Belfast.
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Adam McShaneAdam is a PhD candidate focusing on antigen trafficking in B cells. Prior to this, he studied Biomedical Science at Queen's University Belfast, and was a successful candidate of the RCSI StAR Summer Research Internship.
Outside of science, Adam enjoys painting, gardening and playing music! 
Tiree McColganTiree is a PhD student investigating the immunomodulatory effects of MSC-derived EVs in B cells in systemic lupus and autoimmunity. Before joining the lab, she completed an MSc in Biomedical Science with Ulster University, whilst studying at Indiana University in the USA. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading and playing music.
Niamh McColganNiamh is studying MSc in Experimental Medicine and her research focus will be on Investigating the Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles on B Cell Autoimmunity. She completed her BSc Biomedical Science at Queens University Belfast, where she developed a passion for immunology.
Research StudentsAndrew Golden
Bisola Lateef Katie Finlay |
Yixuan ShenYixuan is a PhD candidate investigating antigen receptor signalling and internalisation in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. He joins us after a degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Queen's University Belfast.
Manon WilliamsManon is a research assistant investigating the immunomodulatory effects of MSC-EVs on B cells, and their therapeutic potential for autoimmune disease. Prior to this, she completed BSc and MSc by research Biomedical Science degrees at Lancaster University. Outside of the lab, she enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring the outdoors.
Past lab members
Pratiti Nanda Klaudia Holowienko Oliver Irwin Rebecca Rowan Theresia Allo Anginan Dilay Appelt Kate Beattie Fiona Hills Irada Kenku Tara Hoben Klaudia Holowienko Oliver Irwin |
