LOCATION

Oxford Transplant Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7LE

DPHIL START DATE

2020 Trinity term

PROJECT TITLE

The Feasibility of Liver-Directed Gene Delivery During Normothermic Machine Perfusion. 

SUPERVISORS

Professor Peter Friend
Mr David Nasralla
Professor Constantin Coussios
Professor Robert Carlisle

Originally from Germany, I obtained my medical license from Dresden University. I also finished an Erasmus exchange year in Zurich and completed several electives in Austria, Switzerland, Réunion Island and Australia. During my time in medical school, I developed an interest in research while intensively examining the molecular mechanisms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. I started both my core and special surgical training at university hospitals in Bochum and Muenster, Germany, before I was selected as a clinical research fellow at the University of Oxford in 2019. My clinical and academic interests lie in hepato-pancreato-biliary and transplant surgery. 

My DPhil explores the feasibility of liver-directed gene delivery during normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). NMP provides oxygenated blood, medication and nutrients at body temperature and can restore an organ’s normal cellular function. By maintaining the liver in a condition close to its natural physiological state outside the body, NMP is not only essential to pre-transplant organ preservation, it can also be further employed as a liver-directed therapeutic intervention for treating metabolic and monogenic diseases and cancer. 

I am conducting my research under the close supervision of Mr David Nasralla, Professor Peter Friend, Professor Constantin Coussios and Professor Robert Carlisle, who have strong academic records in NMP-related research andunrivalled expertise in the engineering aspects of organ perfusion. I am collaborating with Dr Jenny McIntosh and Professor Amit Nathwani from the University College London; they are leading experts in delivering gene therapy for haemophilia and providing the necessary genetic constructs and laboratory support.

In addition to my research, I am committed to teaching surgery to medical students. My interests include numerous sports, such as swimming and diving, and trying to keep up with my dog when running.