BCHC News – Page 3 – Barrett Centre for Helminth Control

Viva Success!

On 23rd June, Adam Burgess successfully defended his thesis: ‘The Fumarases of Schistosoma mansoni: A Novel Drug Target?’ He was examined by Professor Murray Selkirk from Imperial college London and Dr Russ Morphew from Aberystwyth University. Congratulations Dr Burgess!

Future collaborations with University of Perpignan

In April, BCHC member Dr Gabriel Rinaldi attended a meeting with collaborators at the University of Perpignan. At the university, they work on areas of Ecology and Neglected Tropical Diseases with a particular focus on different species of Schistosomes, including hybrids. The meeting was hosted by Prof Christoph Grunau, his team and Dr Ronaldo De…

BCHC Members Involved in OneZoo CDT Projects

The OneZoo CDT PhD projects for 2023-24 are now open for applications. Several of our BCHC members are involved with the projects. Dr Russ Morphew is supervising Novel environmental biomarkers for liver fluke control, with co-supervisors including Prof. Peter Brophy and Dr Rhys Jones. Dr Russ Morphew is also involved with other OneZoo CDT projects…

BCHC celebrates Viva success!

On 14th March, Pom Wititkornkul successfully defended her thesis: ‘Horsing around with Anoplocephala perfoliata: A Polyomic Investigation of the Host–Parasite Interface’ She was examined by Professor Cinzia Cantacessi from the University of Cambridge and Dr Iain Chalmers from Aberystwyth University. The viva was chaired by Professor Peter Brophy. Congratulations Dr Wititkornkul!

British Science Week at Aberystwyth University

This March members of the BCHC took part in British Science week hosted by Aberystwyth University. An annual UK wide celebration of science, technology, engineering and Maths, this year’s theme was Connections. Over the 3-day event pupils from local primary and secondary schools visited the Penglais campus for the opportunity to engage with a wide…

University of Glasgow – Advanced Research Centre Workshop 2023

On 1st and 2nd March, 2023, one of our BCHC members Dr Gabriel Rinaldi attended a workshop at the Advanced Research Centre (ARC), University of Glasgow, entitled “Challenges, opportunities, and new technologies for functional validation of parasitic nematode genes”. Several topics dealing with the application of cutting-edge technologies on the study of parasitic nematodes, agents…

BCHC members attend the Life Sciences Research Network Wales Congress

In February, members of the BCHC travelled to Cardiff to attend the Life Sciences Research Network Wales (LSRNW) Congress 2023 held in St David’s Hotel, Cardiff. This network is led by Cardiff University and unites HEIs from across Wales with the aim of developing new precision therapeutics and diagnostics in areas of unmet medical and…

BCHC strengthens collaborations with University of Cambridge

This month we welcomed Klara Stark a PhD student from the Department of Veterinary, University of Cambridge. Her PhD focuses on the question ‘How does the Schistosoma mansoni egg alter the intestinal microbial makeup of its host?’ with an overall aim of new antibiotic discovery. While at Aberystwyth University she tested the antibacterial effect of Schistosoma mansoni egg excretory-secretory products using a…

Dundee Drug Discovery Unit visit

In January, members of the BCHC travelled to Dundee University and met with the team at the Drug Discovery Unit for a one-day symposium. With the aim of driving the development of new anthelmintic treatments and future collaborations, the in person meeting allowed for open discussions between chemists and data-analysts from Dundee and Cardiff Universities…

Aberystwyth Welcomes OneZoo CDT

Members of BCHC here at Aberystwyth University are proud to be a part of the OneZoo CDT. This OneZoo CDT provides a transdisciplinary approach that aims to empower the next generation of scientists to understand and control zoonotic threats around the world. Research scientists from Aberystwyth University, Cardiff University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the London…

BCHC News (page 3)