Jenny Grant, Honours student
Jenny engaged and committed to a remotely supervised research project in the group, and was co-supervised by Aileen, while analysing images of epirubicin-treated microvascular endothelial cells, and showed molecular regulators of organ-specific changes in VE-cadherin internalisation and barrier function.
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Shauna McClelland, MSc student
Our very own IHC enthusiast characterised tissues from our TNBC mouse models, including tumours and typical metastatic organs during pre- and early stages of dissemination. Shauna identified parameters that define suitability of breast cancer models for optimal translational value in the clinic.
She is currently a PhD student in Dr Melissa LaBonte Wilson
Amy Eaton
Using immunofluorescence staining, Amy has looked at the effects of chemotherapy on vascular and inflammatory aspects of tumour-free organs. Her studies revealed that effects of chemotherapy on endothelial cells in vivo recapitulate in vitro observations, and that those persist for a long time after treatment stops.
Gloria Allocca
Dr Allocca has left the Branco lab, having for 2 1/2 years contributed to the refinement of in vivo models of metastatic breast cancer, particularly useful to study pre- and early-metastasis.
Dr Amanda Eakin
Until April 2020, Amanda was the busiest member on the team, a senior and very competent technician, who developed, implemented and published her own project, while actively collaborating in other research projects and managing the lab. All along she had yet another amazing result: a little sister for Kaitlyn, baby Gabriella!
We are working to get you back on the team :)
Dr Moritz Reiterer
Former PhD student, Moritz defended his thesis in March 2020 amidst impending covid pandemic measures... just before celebrations were no longer allowed.
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He still got to share some cake and champagne
with his examiners,
and will soon be starting a postdoc at Cornell University.
Aaron Johnston
Lowri Edwards
Aaron was our honours student during the academic year of 2019/2020, during which he developed a study on the effects of chemotherapy on the kidney vasculature, having learned lots on immunofluorescence, image analyses and the role of endothelial cells in organ microenvironment.
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He is now a technician at Randox. Congratulations Aaron.
Lowri joined us as part of the 8 week QUB summer scheme in 2019. Lowri embraced the project and was able to generate very interesting results in her short time here. She even won best poster prize at the end of it all, a very much deserved award for an excellent student!
The project looked at the impact of chemotherapy treatment on the microvascular integrity of various organs. The aim was to understand why certain organs may be more prone to metastatic disease.
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Lowri will now go on to complete her medical degree at Trinity College Dublin. We wish her all the best!
Niamh McGuckin
Niamh worked in the Branco group as part of her undergraduate final year project (2018/2019). We are delighted that she also won the Ann Green Bequest Prize for the best research project submission!
Her project focused on the ability of cancer cells to metastasize to other organs and the relationship with cancer mortality.
The aim was to determine what extent chemotherapy pre-disposes common sites of secondary tumours (brain, kidney, lung and liver) to metastasis.
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Niamh worked extremely hard throughout the year and she will be missed by all as she has now moved on to the next step in her career. Good luck Niamh!