Staff Profile
Dr Christina Elliott
Lecturer in Biochemistry / Pharmacology
- Email: christina.elliott@ncl.ac.uk
- Address: M1033 Catherine Cookson Building (1st floor)
Biography
I am a Lecturer with a background in translational neuroscience and significant experience working within academic–industry partnerships. My research focuses on molecular and synaptic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease, with an emphasis on pathways relevant to drug discovery and therapeutic intervention. My teaching draws on both my disciplinary research and scholarship of teaching and learning.
Alongside my research activity, I have a strong track record in teaching, curriculum leadership, and educational innovation. My teaching practice centres on technology-enhanced learning and innovative approaches such as game-based learning, with a focus on active and inclusive pedagogies.
I contribute to the academic community through curriculum and educational leadership, mentoring and peer review, widening participation, sector-facing examining and editorial work, and engagement with industry and research training partnerships.
Previous positions
- Lecturer, University of Glasgow
- Principal Scientist, C4X Discovery Ltd
- Research Fellow, University of Bergen (Norway)
- Postdoctoral Researcher, King's College London
- Research Associate, University of Glasgow
Qualifications and Professional Development
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE)
- Inclusive Futures Leadership Programme (缅北禁地)
- Professional Development Course for External Examiners (Advance HE)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (University of Glasgow)
- PhD in Neuroimmunology (University of Glasgow)
- BSc in Biochemistry (University of York)
Internal Roles
- Chair, BSc Pharmacology Curriculum Committee (Course Lead)
- Co-Lead, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (School level)
- Lead, PARTNERS widening participation summer school
- Mentor, 缅北禁地 Educational Practice Skills (NEPS)
- Mentor and Reviewer, Advance HE Professional Standards Framework (PSF)
- Reviewer, MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership
External Roles
- External Examiner (2022–present)
- Scientific Consultant in drug discovery (2020–present)
- Editorial Board Member, BMC Research Notes (2018–present)
- Editorial Board Member, Acta Studiorum Medicorum et Biomedicorum (2025–present)
- Series Editor, Colloquia Erudita (2026–present)
- STEM Ambassador
Memberships
Professional societies
- British Pharmacological Society
- The Physiological Society
- Royal Society of Biology
Internal communities and committees
- Education Research Theme
- Cell, Gene and Molecules Research Theme
- DiscoverAI (Opportunities & Challenges of AI in education)
- FMS Faculty EDI Committee
Selected Honours, Awards and Competitive Funding
- British Pharmacological Society Education Grant (2024)
- Glasgow University Learning and Development Fund (2021)
- Dr Nils and Anna Henrichsen Foundation Grant (2019)
- European Postdoctoral Fellowship, European Commission (2018)
- Teaching Excellence Award, King’s College London (2018)
- Finalist, GlaxoSmithKline Drug Discovery Fast Track Challenge (2015)
...
Teaching & Assessment
My teaching is research-informed and draws on both my disciplinary expertise in pharmacology and neuroscience and scholarship of teaching and learning. I integrate disciplinary research and scholarship to design and deliver research-informed teaching that emphasises active engagement, experimental reasoning, and real-world application, with particular use of active learning and authentic assessment.
Drawing on my research background enables me to contribute to teaching across all stages of the pharmacology and biomedical sciences degree programmes.
Undergraduate
- PED1003: Pharmacology (Module Leader)
- BGM2061: Protein Trafficking and Biological Membranes (Module Co-Leader)
- PED3013/PSC3010: Research in Pharmacology/Physiology (Module Co-Leader)
- BMS3013: Disorders of the Human Nervous System (Module Co-Leader)
- PED3012: Integrated Pharmacology (Module Leader)
- BGM1002: Biochemistry
- CMB1011: Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists
- PED2006: Systems Pharmacology
- BMS3003: Business Enterprise for the Bioscientist
- BMS3016: Science Communication (Former Module Leader)
- BMS3022: Bioethics
- PED3008: Advanced Topics in Neuropharmacology (Former Module Leader)
- PED3007: Drug Discovery and Development
- CMB3000: Research Project
Postgraduate (MSc/MRes)
- MMB8050: Therapeutic Applications of Cell Signalling Pathways
- MMB8006: Drug Discovery and Development
- MRes Research Projects
External teaching activities
- Affiliate Lecturer, MSc Neuroscience, King’s College London
- External Examiner, BSc Biochemistry and BSc Pharmacology
Therapeutic application of signalling pathways, disease modelling, and drug discovery
My disciplinary research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease, using approaches from functional genomics and molecular pharmacology. A central theme of this work is identifying disease-associated pathways that can be leveraged for therapeutic intervention, including drug discovery and drug repositioning strategies.
A particular focus of my research has been the role of aberrant cell signalling and protein homeostasis in disease. This includes work demonstrating that synapse loss in Alzheimer’s disease is driven by dysregulation of non-canonical Wnt signalling, leading to the identification and validation of the clinically approved drug fasudil as a candidate for repositioning. I have also investigated strategies to modulate protein levels by targeting turnover via the ubiquitin–proteasome system, including the development of peptide-based disruptors and small-molecule approaches to stabilise disease-relevant proteins in patient-derived neuronal models.
Across these projects, I have developed expertise in targeting protein–protein interactions, combining peptide array mapping, in silico approaches, and cellular disease models to support translational decision-making. This work has been supported by competitive funding and published in peer-reviewed journals (please see my publication list).
I welcome enquiries from students interested in placements, internships or postgraduate study.
Educational research and scholarship
Alongside my disciplinary research, I have a strong and developing profile in educational research and scholarship, with a particular focus on technology-enhanced learning and the development of students’ digital skills and research literacy. My work in this area explores how interactive and game-based approaches can support engagement, conceptual understanding, and transferable skills in bioscience education.
I lead staff–student partnership projects to co-create innovative learning resources, including digital and tabletop games designed to teach complex biomedical concepts. Current projects include the development of a non-linear, interactive games using digital storytelling, and a role-playing, game-based approaches inspired by tabletop gaming. This work underpins my teaching practice and contributes to wider discussions around active, inclusive, and research-informed pedagogy, and has attracted recognition through invited talks and workshops delivered to academic and widening participation audiences.
Educational research interests
I welcome collaboration with colleagues interested in educational research in the biosciences. My interests include (but are not limited to):
- Technology-enhanced learning and teaching in bioscience and pharmacology
- Game-based learning and playful pedagogies for complex biomedical concepts
- Development of students’ digital skills and research literacy
- Active and inclusive approaches to authentic assessment design
- Staff–student partnerships in curriculum and learning resource co-creation
- Research-informed teaching and integration of disciplinary research into the curriculum, bridging the gap between teaching and research
- Compassionate and inclusive education, with a particular interest in neurodiversity
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Articles
- Killick R, Hooper C, Fernandes C, Elliott C, Aarsland D, Kjosavik SR, Østerhus R, Williams G. . Cells 2025, 14(8), 575.
- Elliott C. . Pharmakeftiki 2025, 37(2S), 4-7.
- Elliott C, Jackson J, Findlay J, Williams G, Ghosh A, Ribe E, Ulmschneider M, Khan A, Ballard C, Aarsland D, Baillie GS, Harte M, Killick R. . Cellular Signalling 2025, 131, 11716.
- Elliott C. . Review of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics – International Edition 2024, 38(Sup2), 11-13.
- Lipina TV, Li S, Petrova ES, Amstislavskaya TG, Cameron RT, Elliott C, Gondo Y, McGirr A, Mullins JGL, Baillie GS, Woodgett JR, Clapcote SJ. . Journal of Neuroscience 2024, 44(43), e0137242024.
- Zarros A, Al-Humadi HW, Elliott C. . Epitheorese Klinikes Farmakologias kai Farmakokinetikes 2024, 42(2-3), 61-64.
- Elliott C, Brundell P. . eLife 2024, 13, e98891.
- Killick R, Elliott C, Ribe E, Broadstock M, Ballard C, Aarsland D, Williams G. . International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023, 24(13), 11219.
- Glennon EB, Lau DHW, Gabriele RMC, Taylor MF, Troakes C, Opie-Martin S, Elliott C, Killick R, Hanger DP, Perez-Nievas BG, Noble W. . Brain Communications 2020, 2(1), fcaa011.
- Engelhardt B, Holze J, Elliott C, Baillie GS, Kschischo M, Frohlich H. . Mathematical Medicine & Biology 2018, 35(3), 279-297.
- Yalla K, Elliott C, Day JP, Findlay J, Barratt S, Hughes ZA, Wilson L, Whiteley E, Popiolek M, Li Y, Dunlop J, Killick R, Adams DR, Brandon NJ, Houslay MD, Hao B, Baillie GS. . Molecular Psychiatry 2018, 23, 1278-1286.
- Sellers KJ, Elliott C, Jackson J, Ghosh A, Ribe E, Rojo-Sanchís A, Jarosz-Griffiths HH, Watson IA, Xia W, Semenov M, Morin P, Hooper NM, Porter R, Preston J, Al-Shawi R, Baillie GS, Lovestone S, Cuadrado A, Harte M, Simons P, Srivastava DP, Killick R. . Alzheimer’s and Dementia 2018, 14(3), 306-317.
- Elliott C, Rojo A, Ribe E, Broadstock M, Xia W, Morin P, Semenov M, Baillie G, Cuadrado A, Al-Shawi R, Ballard CG, Simons P, Killick R. . Translational Psychiatry 2018, 8, 179.
- Ashton NJ, Hye A, Leckey CA, Jones AR, Gardner A, Elliott C, Wetherell JL, Lenze EJ, Killick R, Marchant NL. . Translational Psychiatry 2017, 7(6), e1148.
- Tankou S, Ishii K, Elliott C, Yalla KC, Day JP, Furukori K, Kubo K, Brandon NJ, Tang Q, Hayward G, Nakajima K, Houslay MD, Kamiya A, Baillie GS, Ishizuka K, Sawa A. . Molecular Neuropsychiatry 2016, 2(1), 20-27.
- McGirr A, Lipina TV, Mun H, Georgiou J, Al-Amri AH, Ng E, Zhai D, Elliott C, Cameron RT, Mullins JGL, Liu F, Baillie GS, Clapcote SJ, Roder JC. . Neuropsychopharmacology 2016, 41(4), 1080-1092.
- Allan D, Fairlie-Clarke K, Elliott C, Schuh C, Barnett SC, Lassmann H, Linington C, Jiang H. . Acta Neuropathologica Communications 2016, 4(1), 75.
- Roscoe RB, Elliott C, Zarros A, Baillie GS. . Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2016, 366, 116-124.
- Dachtler J, Elliott C, Rodgers RJ, Baillie GS, Clapcote SJ. . Scientific Reports 2016, 6, 18748.
- Al-Nimer F, Elliott C, Bergman J, Khademi M, Dring AM, Aeinehband S, Bergenheim TR, Christensen J, Sellebjerg F, Svenningsson A, Linington C, Olsson T, Piehl F. . Neurology – Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation 2016, 3(1), e191.
- Byrne AM, Elliott C, Hoffmann R, Baillie GS. . FEBS Letters 2015, 589(6), 750-755.
- Lindner M, Thuemmler K, Arthur A, Brunner S, Elliott C, McElroy D, Mohan H, Williams A, Edgar JM, Schuh C, Stadelmann C, Barnett SC, Lassmann H, Muecklisch S, Mudaliar M, Schaeren-Wiemers N, Meinl E, Linington C. . Brain 2015, 138(7), 1875-1893.
- Mohan H, Friese A, Albrecht S, Krumbholz M, Elliott CL, Arthur A, Menon R, Farina C, Junker A, Stadelmann C, Barnett SC, Huitinga I, Wekerle H, Hohlfeld R, Lassmann H, Kuhlmann T, Linington C, Meinl E. . Acta Neuropathologica Communications 2014, 2(1), 178.
- Martin TP, Hortigon-Vinagre M, Findlay JE, Elliott C, Currie S, Baillie GS. . FEBS Open Bio 2014, 4(1), 923-927.
- Elliott C, Lindner M, Arthur A, Brennan K, Jarius S, Hussey J, Chan A, Stroet A, Olsson T, Willison H, Barnett SC, Meinl E, Linington C. . Brain 2012, 135(6), 1819-1833.
- Brennan KM, Galban-Horcajo F, Rinaldi S, O'Leary CP, Goodyear CS, Kalna G, Arthur A, Elliott C, Barnett S, Linington C, Bennett JL, Owens GP, Willison HJ. . Journal of Neuroimmunology 2011, 238(1).