I am investigating the effects of ATG4B inhibition on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with the aim of creating a novel ATG4B inhibitor for potential clinical use. Autophagy is a well-validated stress response pathway that supports survival of cancer cells during metabolic and anoxic stress. ATG4B is a cysteine protease with multiple lines of evidence suggesting a specific role in it modulating autophagy. It has been demonstrated that inhibition of ATG4B in a genetically engineered mouse model of PDAC results in reduced tumour growth. Therefore, we are working to validate ATG4B inhibition as a therapeutic option in PDAC and use our high-throughput screening facility to identify a novel ATG4B inhibitor for potential clinical use.

As part of the wider LMCB community I am a member of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the Public Relations committee. Furthermore, I also assist in some of UCL’s undergraduate teaching as a post-graduate teaching assistant.