Meet the RNA-PAR Team

Dr Kehinde Ross

Email: O.K.Ross@ljmu.ac.uk

Kehinde is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Molecular and Cellular Biology, having joined LJMU as a lecturer in August 2008. His current research focuses on the role of microRNAs and associated pathways in skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, impaired wound healing and alopecia. He also has interdisciplinary collaborations on the development of polymer and peptide nanocarriers for miRNA-directed therapy for inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Since November 2022, he has led one of only two inaugural Thematic Doctoral Pathway PhD training programmes at LJMU, titled Transformative Peptide Chemistry for RNA Nanotherapies. This work targets skin disorders as well as brain cancer (glioblastoma, medulloblastoma) and lung cancer. He is also co-lead of the Institute for Health Research Diagnostics and Therapeutics group.

Tracy Branagan

Email: T.D.Branagan@ljmu.ac.uk

Tracy is a Research Assistant at LJMU, with a background in psychology, social research and public engagement. Her previous work has included stories of residents at a homeless hostel, student and graduate expectations, employer skills needs and complementary community health and wellbeing services. Based on her lived experience, Tracy’s current research interests are nature-connectedness interventions for health and wellbeing, especially for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and alopecia.

Being a sufferer of both conditions, she is passionate about contributing to the development of holistic, multi-disciplinary treatment options to ultimately improve our health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Soon, she hopes to undertake PhD research looking at the psychological impacts on people and the potential benefits of nature-based interventions for the holistic management of alopecia and RA.

Loz Tonge

Email: l.tonge@2020.ljmu.ac.uk

Loz Tonge is a postgraduate researcher specialising in RNA therapeutics, with Dr Kehinde Ross as lead supervisor. Her work explores the role of microRNAs in scarring alopecia by investigating biological pathways that could lead to improved therapeutic strategies. The research aims to overcome current treatment by developing a targeted miRNA-based therapy that prioritises patient outcomes while minimising off-target effects.

Dr Chao Fang

Email: chao.fang@liverpool.ac.uk

Chao holds the position of Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Liverpool, where he also takes on the role of Deputy Director for the Centre for Ageing and the Life Course (CALC). This centre is dedicated to studying ageing and its associated issues, considering them within the context of the human lifespan and society as a whole.

Chao's research interests lie in ageing, chronic illness, death, dying, and bereavement, with a particular emphasis on exploring the intersections between these human experiences. A particularly notable aspect of his research is the keen emphasis on understanding and disseminating insights into human existential needs, both through interdisciplinary research and public engagements.

Dr Niels Bootsma

Email: niels.bootsma@alopecia.org.uk

Niels is Alopecia UK’s Research and Liaison Manager and joined the charity in October 2022. As a researcher, Niels managed research projects with human participants, to investigate how differences in nutrition affect the body. He wants to make science more accessible to everyone by forming bridges between the scientific community and those who can benefit from their findings.

Niels is responsible for driving forward the profile of alopecia research because it’s crucial that we gain a better understanding of how alopecia affects people psychologically, what causes the different forms and how we can treat or even cure it.

Co-researchers (experts by experience)

Wendy

My name is Wendy and I am a volunteer Lay Panel Member for Alopecia UK. I am a strong believer in lifelong-learning and this is what motivated me to be more involved with the work of the charity. Sharing my views and experiences of Alopecia over the past two years has helped to support groundbreaking research projects for clinical treatments and I am pleased to also see a growing number of projects focus on developing psychological and digital support tools. Outside of my volunteering work with Alopecia UK, I am a Health and Lifestyle Facilitator for the NHS and try to practise what I preach to lead a healthy lifestyle – tasty healthy food, rest, exercise, but above all, I love being an armchair TV judge for any food or dance competitions, Strictly, Bake Off, Great British Menu.