Kirsty McHugh

I completed an undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry followed by a DPhil in Clinical Medicine at the University of Oxford. My post-doctoral research began at the Botnar Research Centre investigating links between MHC genes and Arthritis. I then joined Simon Draper’s group at the Jenner Institute in 2015 where my research has since focused on the discovery, isolation and characterisation of monoclonal antibodies (mAb). I have worked to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of haematological disorders in collaboration with Hal Drakesmith’s group. My research focus has since shifted to Malaria, where I am program lead for mAb discovery and analyses. I am also interested in driving the development of new technology platforms for mAb engineering with improved efficacy and collaborate with Richard Pleass at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to improve the efficacy of therapeutic mAbs for emerging viral infections.