Dr James Meehan (B.A (Mod.), M.Sc., Ph.D.)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  • The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute
  • The University of Edinburgh

Contact details

Address

Street

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute
The University of Edinburgh

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH25 9RG

Background

I initially studied Neuroscience, graduating from Trinity College Dublin in 2011. I moved to the UK after receiving a scholarship to study at The University of Edinburgh. Here I completed a MSc in Biomedical Sciences before moving into a PhD in Molecular and Clinical Medicine, investigating the potential of different pH regulating proteins to act as therapeutic targets in breast cancer.

Following a short stint as a Research Assistant within The University of Edinburgh, I was employed as a Research Associate at Heriot-Watt University, where I worked on the IMPACT (Implantable Microsystems for Personalised Anti-Cancer Therapy) project. I then came back to The University of Edinburgh to work under Dr Arran Turnbull within the Translational Oncology Research Group. Here, my work concentrated on translational studies in breast and prostate cancer, with my projects focusing on the development and validation of novel biomarkers of response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. My current role within The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute focuses on investigating cellular susceptibility of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) infection and ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) development.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. Molecular and Clinical Medicine (Pathology)

- The University of Edinburgh (2017)

- Funded by a scholarship awarded by the University 

  • M.Sc (Res) Biomedical Sciences

- The University of Edinburgh (2012)

- Funded by a scholarship awarded by the University 

- Graduated with an A3 grade

  • B.A (Mod.) Neuroscience

 - Trinity College Dublin, Ireland (2011)

- Awarded the C. Walter Jones Prize, two First Class Book Prizes and the Trinity College Dublin Entrance Exhibition Award over the course of my undergraduate degree.  

Research summary

I am currently working under Dr Mark Gray at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute. Using different models, we are investigating the cellular susceptibility of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) infection and ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) development. 

 

 

Past research interests

As part of my PhD, I investigated the potential of 3 different pH regulating proteins to act as therapeutic targets in breast cancer, using both novel and commercially available inhibitors and employing a combination of in vitro and ex vivo cancer models in 2D/3D cell culture environments. I have worked on various projects since completing my PhD. My first role involved investigating the potential of gold, silver and iron nanoparticles to act as radiosensitisers for cancer therapy in breast and prostate cancer cell models. I have also worked on the IMPACT (Implantable Microsystems for Personalised Anti-Cancer Therapy) project, which aimed to develop miniaturised sensors to monitor the status of individual tumours. In my last role as part of the Translational Oncology Research Group, I was working on a project to identify biomarkers of response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in breast and prostate cancer.

View all 28 publications on Research Explorer

Organiser

Edinburgh Breast Cancer Special Symposium 2020 and 2023