Dr Shazia Khan (PhD)

Research Fellow and Mass Spectrometry Imaging Lead

  • Centre for Cardiovascular Science
  • Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility
  • Mass Spectrometry Core Facility

Contact details

Address

Street

Queens Medical Research Institute
Edinburgh Bioquarter
47 Little France Crescent

City
Edinburgh
Post code
EH16 4TJ

Biography

Background

Shazia Khan is a Fellow at the Centre for Cardiovascular Science (CVS), Queen's Medical Research Institute (QMRI), University of Edinburgh. She is a leading expert in Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) within the Mass Spectrometry Core Group of Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility (CRF).

After completing her PhD in 2009 from H. E. J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, under the supervision of Prof Dr Bina S Siddiqui, she served as an Assistant Professor at the COMSATS Institute, Lahore, until 2010. From 2011-2014, Shazia worked as a research assistant at Bioscience Department - Swansea University on fungal secondary metabolites analysis by GCMS and as a visiting scholar at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) on LCMS-based metabolomics profiling.

Currently, she is actively engaged in multiple collaborative research projects involving Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) for the analysis of small molecules and lipids in various tissues and disease models including brain, kidney, liver, heart, skin etc. using MALDI and DESI on FT-ICR-MS and SYNAPT G2Si.  Her research interest primarily revolved around Mass Spectrometry Imaging of tissues for both targeted and untargeted analysis as well as MSI and LCMS-based metabolomics and lipidomics for biomarkers discovery.

Research Interests:

  • Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) based metabolomics and Lipidomics analysis of tissues for targeted and untargeted analysis for Unravelling Disease Early Signatures
  • Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) based metabolomics and lipidomics for biomarker discovery
  • Understand the role of metabolites & lipids in signaling pathway in disease models using MSI and LCMS/MS

 

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications:

  • PhD (Natural Products/Organic Chemistry) H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan, 2009.

Thesis Title: Studies on the Chemical Constituents of the Fruits of Madhuca Indica (Mahua).

  • M.Sc. Chemistry (Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic and Industrial Chem.) First Division (81%), UoK, Pakistan, 1998.
  • B.Sc. (Chemistry, Zoology, Botany) First Division, University of Karachi (UoK), Pakistan, 1995.
  • PGCAP (ongoing; registered on April 2022) University of Edinburgh.

Responsibilities & affiliations

Memberships of Learned Societies and Awards:

  • Committee members of the young Molecular Imaging Community in the UK (yMICUK) part of the European Society for Molecular Imaging (ESMI) 2023-Present. 
  • Organizing Committee Member; 4th International Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Analytical Techniques to be held from March 21-22, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (https://crgconferences.com/mass-spectrometry/committeemembers)
  • Pod Coordinator of FeMS Mentoring Committee; Females in Mass Spectrometry (FeMS) (2023- present). 
  • University of Edinburgh Staff BAME Network Steering Committee member as Postdoc rep (2022- present). 
  • EDI representatives of Scottish Metabolomics Network (2022- present). 
  • Member of British Mass Spectrometry Society (BMSS) (2023- present)
  • Member of Royal Microscopical Society (RMS) Mass Spectrometry Imaging focussed interest group (2023- present)
  • Member of Dutch Society for Mass Spectrometry (2021- present)
  • Member of UKRI Early Career Researcher Forum (2020-present)
  • Member of Mass Spectrometry Imaging Society (2018-2021)
  • Member of SINAPSE – Scottish Imaging Network: A platform for Scientific Excellence (2021-present)
  • Member of UK Renal Fibrosis Network (2020-Present)
  • Member of Microbiology Society (2020-Present)
  • Member of Edinburgh Skin Network (2020-present)
  • Member of European Network for Oxysterol Research (ENOR) (2019- present)
  • Member of Society of Endocrinology (2018- present)
  • STEM ambassador (2020- present). Proactively involved in BioQuarter’s STEM Clubs to engage pupils from local widening participation primary schools.
  • Member of The Royal Society of Edinburgh (2020- present)
  • Member of Metabolomics Society (2014)
  • Life Time Member, Pakistan Chemical Society (2009-Present).
  • Approved PhD Supervisor by HEC (Higher Education Commission) Pakistan (2009-Present)
  • HEC Scholar (2004-2008) on “Indigenous Ph.D. Fellowship Program” of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

Undergraduate teaching

  • Lecturing Lipidomics in Membrane Biology (BICH10009) course to Undergraduate 4th year students at University of Edinburgh (Course Organiser: Prof Eric Schirmer) (2021-Present)

Postgraduate teaching

Associate PhD Supervisor of 2 PhD Students working on mass spectrometry imaging-based projects (2021-Present)

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

  • Associate PhD Supervisor of 2 PhD Students working on mass spectrometry imaging-based projects (2020-Present)
  • Biomedical Sciences (BMS) Honours Project Supervisor (2019-Present)
  • Demonstrator (lab tours) of BSc Medical Sciences and CVS Post-Grad Students (2017-Present)
  • Supervise PhDs and MSc students in lab for mass spectrometry imaging-based projects (2017-Present)

Current PhD students supervised

Sara Al Disi (s2126012) (Meet the One Health Models of Disease students | The University of Edinburgh) (PhD Started in 2020)

Monika Selvakumar | The University of Edinburgh (s1994995, PhD Started in 2021)

Past PhD students supervised

  • Associate PhD Supervisor of a visiting PhD Student from University of British Columbia working on MSI (2023)
  • Patrick Speirs (s1631657) - Biomedical Sciences Honours Lab-based Project Supervisor (2019)

Research summary

My main research aim is to bridge the gap and integrate Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI) technology widely across colleges/Universities through multidisciplinary collaborative research projects with PIs and industries to improve disease diagnosis and prognosis, pathway identification, biomarker discovery, surgical guidance and technology and drug development.

MSI is still an emerging technology and under-explored and MSI specific expertise are required for optimal utilisation. I am interested in collaborative MSI research projects within the University and beyond with tech and pharma partners.

I attended Advanced Imaging Mass Spectrometry (AIMS2023) training workshop at the Mass Spectrometry Research Center (Vanderbilt University, US) to polish my expertise in the MSI field. 

Current research interests

• Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) based metabolomics and Lipidomics analysis of tissues for targeted and untargeted analysis for Unravelling Disease Early Signatures • Multimodal imaging for detailed spatial and molecular information from tissue i.e. cancer • Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) based metabolomics and lipidomics for biomarker discovery • Understand the role of metabolites & lipids in signaling pathway in disease models using MSI and LCMS/MS

Past research interests

• Bioassays guided natural products isolation, purification, structure elucidation, characterisation and synthetic modification from different plant sources . • Volatile organic compounds analysis by GCMS • LCMS based metabolomics profiling of biological samples

Knowledge exchange

Public Engagement Activities & Involvement:

  • Community engagement programme run by Edinburgh BioQuarter ((2023-Present)
  • STEM clubs for local primary schools (2020-2022)
  • Midlothian Science Festival - Heart Explorers Theme 'Feel Good Science Day' (13th October 2019)

 

Journal Affiliations; Reviewer of / Advisory Review Board / Associate editor or subject specialist –

  • Nature Communications (as mass spectrometry and MS imaging reviewer; ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1738-3418)
  • Analytical Chemistry (as mass spectrometry and MS imaging reviewer; ORCID ID: 0000-0003-1738-3418)
  • Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (peer reviewer)
  • Academic Research International (advisory review board member)
  • Journal of Ongoing Chemical Research (associate editor and subject specialist)

Project activity

Working with various research groups within the university and outside collaboration for developing and validating MSI methods on FT-ICR-MS (MALDI) and SYNAPT G2Si (MALDI, DESI with/without Ion Mobility) to answer important research questions which involve small molecules targeted/untargeted tissue surface analysis such as steroidal hormones, lipids, drugs candidates and metabolites on various tissue surfaces brain, kidney, liver, adrenal, testis, ovary etc.

Current project grants

Successful Research Grants as a PI and CoPI:

Shazia Khan, Ruth Andrew and Spha Ntshangase (2024) Capital Equipment Fund (£82K) Title: Automated sublimator to enhance sample preparation workflow for Mass spectrometry imaging. Role: Principal Investigator (PI).
Shazia Khan (2023) Bioscientifica Trust (£5000) Project Title: Developing sensitive method to quantify estrogens to enhance hormonal screening in clinical research. Role: PI
Shazia Khan (2021/2022) Society for Endocrinology Early Career Grant (£9995.18) Project Title: Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Map the Neurosteroids Metabolism within the Brain. Role: PI
Prof. Gillian Gray, Dr Shazia Khan, Prof. Ruth Andrew (2021/2020) Novel and Emerging Technologies (NET) Grant (£84727) Project Title: Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Illuminate the activity of 11-hydroxsteroid dehydrogenase-1 inhibitors and their potential for repurposing to prevent the development of heart failure after Myocardial Infarction. Role: Co-I
Shazia Khan (2020/2021) Society for Endocrinology Practical Skills Grant (£2000) Title: Mass Spectrometry Imaging workshop to gain advance practical skills for tissue imaging for endocrinology research. Role: PI
Shazia Khan (2020/2019) Moray Endowment Fund Award (£2000) Title of project: Developing novel ways to measure estrogens to enhance hormonal screening in clinical research. Role: PI

Successful grant applications as a named researcher:

BBSRC Biomedical Resource Fund (2020-2023) 3D Neurosterol Atlas of the Mouse Brain (£800K) Griffiths WJ (PI), Wang Y; Andrew R (PI), Yau JWL
SULSA Technology Seed Award (2019-2021) Developing mass spectrometry imaging of steroid production within the brain (£10K) Hough D (PI), Andrew R (Co-PI)
SULSA Technology Seed Award (2019-2020) Orthogonal MS investigations into energy metabolism re-programming during ageing (£10K) Rattray N (PI), Andrew R (Co-PI)
Wellcome Trust Multi-User Equipment Grant (2017-2023) Mass Spectrometry Imaging in Translational Endocrine Research (£793,450) Andrew R (PI), Walker BR, Webster SW, Newby DE, Saunders PTK, Reynolds RM

Travel Grants:

• Shazia Khan (2024) BMSS Travel Grant (£400) to present at EMIM2024 Conference, Porto, Portugal.
• Shazia Khan (2023) Society for Endocrinology (SfE) Travel Grant (£650) to present at BES Conference, Glasgow.
• Shazia Khan (2022) SfE Travel Grant (£650) to present at BES Conference, Harrogate, UK.
• Shazia Khan (2021) SfE Travel Grant (£650) to present at BES Conference, Edinburgh, UK.
• Shazia Khan (2020/2021) Centre for Cardiovascular Science BHF REA3 Training workshop grant (£428) to attend an advance imaging mass spectrometry workshop (AIMS-2023), Vanderbilt University, US.
• Shazia Khan (2020/2021) CMVM PAGE bursary (£250) to attend AIMS-2023, Vanderbilt University, US.
• Shazia Khan (2019) SfE Travel Grant (£750) to present at the XXI Lipid Meeting, Leipzig, Germany.
• Shazia Khan (2018) SfE Travel Grant (£650) to present at BES Conference, Glasgow, UK.

Conference details

Selected Posters (award winning & first author only):

  1. Shazia Khan, E Yutuc, JLW, Yau, Y Wang, WJ Griffiths, R Andrew (2024) Unveiling the Neurosteroid Landscape: 3D Mass Spectrometry Imaging Atlas of the Mouse Brain. Madison Workshop 2024 - IMSIS (msimaging.science) University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  2. Shazia Khan, E Yutuc, JLW, Yau, Y Wang, WJ Griffiths, R Andrew (2023) A 3D neurosteroids atlas of mouse brain using mass spectrometry imaging. Scottish Metabolomics Network Meeting. (Runner-Up Poster Award, Judges Choice)
  3. Shazia Khan, E Yutuc, JLW, Yau, Y Wang, WJ Griffiths, R Andrew (2023) A 3D neurosteroids atlas of mouse brain using mass spectrometry imaging. Endocrine Abstracts 94 P360 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.94.P360
  4. Shazia Khan, R Andrew and NJW Rattray (2022) Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Investigate Carnitine Metabolism during Brain Ageing, Endocrine Abstracts 86 P331 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.86.P331
  5. Shazia Khan, J Fallowfield, SP Webster and R Andrew (2021) Mass spectrometry imaging for simultaneous analysis of lipid biomarkers, lysophosphatidic acid (LPAs) and lysophosphatidyl choline (LPCs), in fibrotic liver tissue Endocrine Abstracts (2021) 77 LB11 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.77.LB11
  6. Shazia Khan, J Fallowfield, SP Webster, and R Andrew (2019) Developing Mass Spectrometric Imaging (MSI) Method for Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA) and Lysophosphatidyl Choline (LPC) in Fibrotic Liver Tissue. XXI Lipid Meeting.
  7. Shazia Khan and Ruth Andrew (2019) Implementation of Desorption Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging (DESI-MSI) for Spatial Lipidomics in Brain. 9th ENOR Symposium.
  8. Shazia Khan, DF Cobice, DEW Livingstone, CL Mackay, SP Webster, BR Walker and R Andrew (2018) Time-dependent Cortisol Turnover in Tissues using Stable Isotope Tracers and MALDI Mass Spectrometry (MS) Sampling. Endocrine Abstracts (2018) 59 P037 | DOI: 10.1530/endoabs.59.P037
  9. Shazia Khan and Ruth Andrew (2018) Implementation of Desorption Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging (DESI-MSI) for Spatial Lipidomics in Brain. Scottish Metabolomics Network Meeting. (Award winning, People Choice)
  10. Shazia Khan, DF Cobice, DEW Livingstone, A McBride, CL Mackay, BR Walker and R Andrew (2017) Time-dependent Cortisol Turnover in Tissues using Stable Isotope Tracers. Scottish Metabolomics Network Meeting.
  11. Shazia Khan, DF Cobice, DEW Livingstone, NZM Homer, CL Mackay, BR Walker and R Andrew (2016) Derivatisation Strategies to Quantify Estrogens and Enable Isomer Separation by Ion Mobility. BMSS/BMRC Mass Spectrometry Imaging Symposium
  12. Shazia Khan, DEW Livingstone, DF Cobice, CL Mackay, BR Walker, NZM Homer and R Andrew (2015) Derivatisation strategies for the analysis of estrogens by ESI and MALDI. Scottish Metabolomics Network Meeting (1st Prize, Judges)
  13. Shazia Khan, DEW Livingstone, CL Mackay, BR Walker, NZM Homer and R Andrew (2015) Derivatisation Approaches to Quantify Estrogens by LC-MS/MS and in Tissue Sections by MALDI-FTICR-MS. CVS Annual Symposium.
  14. Shazia Khan, A Sorensen, M Boyed, D Watson (2013) Effect of external beam and 131I-MIBG therapies on Human Glioma cell metabolism. 9th International Conference of the Metabolomics Society. (Poster P3-7)

Invited speaker

Invited Speaker / Conference Talks / Presentation Awards:

  1. Shazia Khan, E Yutuc, J.L.W. Yau, Y Wang, W.J Griffiths and  R Andrew (2024) A 3D Neurosteroids Atlas of Mouse Brian using Mass Spectrometry Imaging. 19th European Molecular Imaging Meeting (EMIM 2024) 12-15 March. (Selected Talk - SK).
  2. R Andrew, Shazia Khan (2024) Imaging ions; mass spectrometry meets microscopy. UK Light Microscopy Facility Meeting (Invited Speaker).
  3. Shazia Khan and I Stasinopoulos (2021) Corticosteroid localisation in mouse kidney using mass spectrometry imaging, CVS Annual Symposium (Innovative Technology Early Career Session) Award winning talk)).
  4. Shazia Khan, AC Gill, E Claude, M Towers, CL Mackay, BR Walker and R Andrew (2017) Sensitive Detection and Separation of Steroid Isomers following Derivatisation using Ion Mobility. 38th BMSS Annual Meeting (Selected Talk - SK).
  5. Shazia Khan (2016) Derivatisation of Steroids to Enhance Sensitivity and Isomer Separation. Scottish Metabolomics Network Meeting (Invited Speaker - SK).
  6. Shazia Khan, E Claude, M Towers, DF Cobice, DEW Livingstone, NZM Homer, CL Mackay, BR Walker and R Andrew (2016) Derivatisation Strategies to Quantify Androgens and Estrogens and Enable Isomer Separation by Ion Mobility. 6th ENOR Symposium (Invited Speaker - RA).

  • Facility Management Training Course 2024 (registered) run by Royal Microscopical Society on 24-26th April 2024
  • Advanced Imaging Mass Spectrometry (AIMS) Laboratory Course: 2023, April 24-28 2023, Vanderbilt University, US
  • Technician Week event, 2023, BioQuarter, UoE
  • Career in Academia: Nov. 2022, UoE
  • R for Biochemists 101: May 2021, Biochemical Society Training Team
  • Fundamentals of PhD Supervision: 2021, University of Edinburgh
  • Lipidomics Spring School 12-16 April 2021 organised by LIPID MAPS®  
  • Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) Power hood training: 2021, University of Edinburgh
  • Occupational health and laboratory animal allergens (LAA) exposure, 2021, University of Edinburgh
  • Worktribe Research Management - Online Training for Academics, 2020, University of Edinburgh
  • Health and Safety Awareness for Principal Investigators and Supervisor, 2020, University of Edinburgh
  • COSHH, 2020, University of Edinburgh
  • Supervisor Briefing: College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, 2020, University of Edinburgh
  • Public Engagement Workshop, 2020, CVS, University of Edinburgh
  • Biological Safety, 2020, University of Edinburgh
  • Understanding Annual Review, 2019, University of Edinburgh
  • Practical Project Management for Researchers, 2019, University of Edinburgh
  • Transport of Biological Materials, 2019, University of Edinburgh
  • Managing Your Time (Time Management), 2019, University of Edinburgh
  • Career Development Workshop, 16-18 April 2018, The Society for Endocrinology
  • There’s an SOP for That: A Practical Guide to Standard Operating Procedures, 13th Nov 2018, University of Edinburgh
  • Project Management (Research Staff), 2018, University of Edinburgh
  • Data Protection Training, 2018, University of Edinburgh
  • Equality and Diversity Essentials, 2018, University of Edinburgh
  • GCP for Laboratories, 9th October 2017, Edinburgh WTCRF, Education Program
  • Good Clinical Practice & EU Directive, conducted by NHS Research Scotland 2015 & 2017.
  • Ingenious Women, 2016, University of Edinburgh
  • Handling Data Management using SPSS, 2016, University of Edinburgh
  • Human Tissue Workshop, conducted by Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility on 11th June 2015.
  • Sharing Best Practice in LC/LCMS Techniques, conducted by Shimadzu-Scotland on 2nd June 2015.
  • Sharing Best Practice in GC/GCMS Techniques, conducted by Shimadzu-Scotland on 3rd June 2015.

  • GRE Chemistry, held on 12th April 2008
  • Mathematics Course during M.Sc., 1st Div (95.5%), 1998
  • "Organic Synthesis Practical Course”, Conducted by Prof. Ichiya Ninomiya  Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. (August–September) 2004, in HEJ. Worked on different synthetic schemes for Natural Products Synthesis under the supervision of Japanese visiting Prof. Y. Tsuda and Prof. I. Ninomiya.
  • "An Introduction to X-Ray Crystallography”, Conducted by Dr. Masood Parvez, Assistant Professor, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. (May–June) 2001 in HEJ. It covered the Methodology of Crystallization and Symmetry Elements and Structure Elucidation via Data.
  • Advance Courses for Ph.D, H.E.J Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan, 2000, First Division.
  • Structure and Reactivity (Org. Chem. Course-1); This course included Stereochemistry and Conformational Analysis, Aromaticity and Anti-Aromaticity, Electrocyclic Reactions, HSAB Theory, Organometallic Compounds, Carbocations, Carbenes, Nitrenes, Benzynes, Free Radicals, Other Reactive Intermediates and Rearrangements.
  • Synthesis I (Org. Chem. Course-2); It included Oxidation & Reduction Reactions, C-C bond Forming Reactions, Aromatic Substitutions, Protecting Groups and Syntheses, Pericyclic Reactions and Organometallics. Miscellaneous Asymmetric Reactions.
  • Physical Methods of Isolation and Structure Elucidation (Org. Chem. Cours-3); Topics included IR, UV, CD, ORD, Mass Spectroscopy, NMR Spectroscopy, Separation Techniques, X-ray Crystallography, Molecular Mechanics, and Determination of Proteins and Peptides, Genetic Engineering and how to Search the Literature.
  • Synthesis II (Org. Chem. Course-4); This included Contemporary Art of Organic Synthesis. Retrosynthetic analysis, Newer Methods for the Preparation of Different Functional Groups, Logic of Chemical Synthesis, Logical Approach to Asymmetric Synthesis, Multi-step Transformations, Natural Products and their Biosynthesis, Total Synthesis of some commercially Important Natural Products.
  • Practical Laboratory Techniques; From HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, 2000. Topics included Scientific Literature Search from Databases, Recording of Experimental Details, Organization of Laboratory Materials, Operation and Use of Analytical equipment, and Separation and Purification Techniques.
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