Dr Lidia Maryniak

Lidia obtained a first class, honours degree in Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (2011) and a PhD in Cancer Pharmacology (2012-2016) from Coventry University. Her PhD research was focused on investigating the cytotoxicity and underlying mechanisms of action of artesunate (ART) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) (potent anti-malarial and anti-cancer agents) in cultured human leukaemic (HL-60) and colorectal cancer (HT-29-AK and Caco-2) cell lines. Lidia investigated the effect of the microenvironment (20% vs. 1% oxygen) on the drug-mediated cytotoxicity and how this affects the expression levels of key proteins associated with inflammation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, apoptosis and chemo-resistance of tumour cells. Data from such experiments illustrated the importance of modelling the tumour microenvironment when developing novel therapeutics. In her research, Lidia mainly used MTT cytotoxicity assays, PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, immunocytochemical staining, flow cytometric and confocal microscopic analyses.

After completing her PhD, Lidia was appointed as an Associate Lecturer in Health and Life Sciences at Coventry University Group, where she remained for two years and was actively involved in delivering lectures and running lab sessions for foundation year and degree students across a wide range of modules, including Pharmacology, Physiology; and Cell and Molecular Biology. In January 2018, Lidia joined Birmingham City University as a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences where she is mainly responsible for designing and delivering lectures in Pharmacology and Physiology for degree/master students across several courses, including Biomedical Sciences, pre-registration Nursing courses, Paramedic Sciences, and Physiotherapy.

Lidia is currently trying to attract some research grants to continue her research interests and she is actively looking for funding opportunities towards Summer Placements which will be organised at Birmingham City University for most promising students to enhance their employability after completing the course.