DR M Andrew Nesbit BA(Hons) Oxon, PhD (Lond)
Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University
In 2013, Andrew was recruited as a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology at Ulster University where he joined the Vision Science Research Group. Here, he is pursuing research interests in the mechanisms of lens homeostasis in the development of cataracts and the genetics of anterior eye disease. Working at the cutting-edge of gene-editing technology, Andrew is seeking to correct the faulty genes causing anterior eye disease in situ.
After graduating with an honours degree in Biochemistry from the University of Oxford, Andrew gained his Ph.D. from the University of London with the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, before joining Professor Kay Davies at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London and then the Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford. Here he was part of the team, which identified mutations in the Survival Motor Neurone (SMN) gene as causative of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He returned to London, joining the group of Professor Raj Thakker at the Clinical Sciences Centre, Hammersmith Hospital and relocated with him to the Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, firstly as a senior postdoctoral researcher and then as a University Research Lecturer uncovering the genetic causes of disorders of calcium metabolism.
Andrew has a consistent record of publication in high quality, peer-reviewed journals (Nature, New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Genetics, Journal of Clinical Investigation, Human Molecular Genetics, Journal of Biological Chemistry).
Both as the senior scientist in the Academic Endocrine Unit and in his own right, Andrew has been successful in attracting peer-reviewed funding from bodies such as the MRC, EU and ARUK.
Andrew’s expertise, technical knowledge and insight in his field is widely recognised and he is regularly invited to speak at international and national conferences.
Andrew is module co-ordinator for Applied Genetics (BMS310), Molecular Biology (BIO317) and Molecular Biology and Genetics (BIO318) courses taken by Biology and Biomedical Science undergraduate students.