Emily Castells

My research interests lie in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms which are involved in causing disease. I obtained my MSc in 2017 at the University of Leicester, where I studied the role of mast cells, TRPA1 and K_Ca3.1 in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This research deepened my interest in chronic pulmonary disease and how microscopy is used in biological research. I then moved on to assist in the initiation and development of a clinical trial study on a novel inhaled azole in the treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in severely asthmatic patients. This study also involved the identification of bacterial, fungal and viral species within the lung in disease, health and post-treatment to better help our understanding of the lung's microbiota. After a short post working in a diagnostic COVID-19 lab in Nottingham, I moved back into academia to develop my interests in understanding disease and new therapeutics. In May 2021 I joined the Oxford Gene Medicine Group, using lentiviral vectors for delivery of novel gene therapies to the lung. I will be incorporating my knowledge on immunology and developing my microscopy skills within the group.