Page 4 - PERIODIC Magazine Issue 6

Pr ofile enhanced by my mentor’s positive attitude. Prof. Schofield

has given me freedom to work on various fascinating and
rewarding projects that span multiple areas of research.
His guidance style suits my curious nature and has helped
me develop as a scientist. My NMR work with Prof
Dr Martine Abboud, Postdoctoral Claridge has also nurtured my passion for research even
Scientist in the Schofield group and further.

Junior Research Fellow at Kellogg During my doctoral studies, I worked on understanding
how bacteria develop immunity against antibiotics.
College, talks to Periodic. Specifically, I studied metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), which
are bacterial enzymes that degrade β-lactam antibiotics,
the most commonly used class of antibiotics. My method
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development work using protein-observe F-NMR has
provided new structural insights into MBL catalysis and
has stimulated inhibitor development. I also studied the
susceptibility of avibactam, the first clinically useful non-β-
lactam β-lactamase inhibitor, to MBL-catalysed hydrolysis.
The results revealed that avibactam is not an MBL inhibitor
but a substrate for most MBLs.
I also applied NMR methods to study the human prolyl
hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2), which
is crucially involved in the body’s response to oxygen. My
work showed that the substitution of a single amino acid,
as occurs with PHD2 variants linked to erythrocytosis and
What inspired you to study chemistry, and why
Oxford? breast cancer, can alter the selectivity of PHD2 towards its
substrates. My comparative studies on the activities and
I have always been very curious about the world around selectivities of PHD inhibitors in clinical trials have also
me. When I was growing up I wanted to become an helped new drug development.
astronaut – however, during my teenage years my
grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and this made me My doctoral work would not have been possible without
question my career choices. I wanted to help people but the support of the Biochemical Society through the Sir
did not feel suited to working in a hospital, so I decided to Hans Krebs Memorial Award, my college and department,
pursue a career in scientific research. I started by learning and the support of my colleagues. Having been granted a
biology to better understand physiological processes and Junior Research Fellowship from Kellogg College this year,
their pathological implications. Soon after, I realised that I have been enjoying mentoring graduates and I would like
biology and chemistry are complementary and that an to develop my skills further. I am interested in enabling
understanding of both fields is important to achieve results science, community, and policy to combat antimicrobial
of clinical relevance. Hence, I went for a secondary focus resistance and I am pursuing work on the metabolic
in chemistry, both at the Lebanese American University enzymes involved in cancer. I think basic research is
(LAU), from which I graduated with the President’s award. important in understanding molecular mechanisms and I
enjoy doing both proof-of-principle and applied studies.
Since childhood, I had dreamed of studying at Oxford.
Coming from a minority background, I was scared of Can you describe a typical day in the lab?
applying because of how competitive and prestigious A day in the lab is never typical – it varies depending
Oxford is, but my mother was right – not applying is a on what experiments are being done. But one thing is
definite rejection. I am glad I did. Five years later, Oxford common: we always encounter surprises! Working in a
has provided me with opportunities I never dreamt I would lab environment is flexible but never boring, and that’s an
be lucky enough to get. aspect I enjoy. A protein preparation, for instance, requires

spending a few hours in a cold room (4°C) while protein
Could you tell us a little about your research
and what you hope to achieve? NMR experiments often take an overnight run in the
basement. I have spent so much time with these machines
During my time in Oxford, I have discovered a genuine that I have given them nicknames! Life in research has
enthusiasm for research, which has undoubtedly been taught me how to deal with failures, enjoy the small

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Periodic The Magazine of the Department of Chemistry