Evie Smith, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
In July 2018 I graduated from an integrated MChem in Chemistry with Biological and Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Sheffield. My Masters' project looked at developing a drug screening assay to find protein interaction inhibitors between amyloid-beta oligomers and cellular prion protein for the potential use in Alzheimer's disease. In October 2018 I began studying for a PhD supervised by Dr. Alison Twelvetrees and Dr Tim Craggs, applying single molecule FRET to understand kinesin activation. I successfully completed my PhD in January 2023 and now work as a postdoc.
I grew up in Cornwall taking part in the traditional pastime of playing in a brass band. I have been lucky enough to play at the Royal Albert Hall twice; once during my time in the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
Emma Turner, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Emma graduated with a BSc from the University of Sheffield in 2018 and followed this up with an MSc in Translational Neuroscience in 2019. Emma’s MSc project in the Twelvetrees lab led to the award of a PhD scholarship to continue her research career, studying how mutations in kinesin-1 cause neurodegenerative disease. Emma successfully completed he PhD in 2023 and is now continuing her research in her postdoc position in the lab.
J. Michelle Tejeda Rodriguez
PhD student
I did my BA in Clinical Psychology at the Iberoamerican University in The Dominican Republic, which is my home country. During my undergraduate degree, I also undertook two concentrations: Concentration in Research, and Concentration in Neurocognition and Psychophysiology. Afterwards, I worked as a Research Assistant for more than three years at the Iberoamerican University and at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Global Health in Santo Domingo. In 2020, I received the Chevening Scholarship Award to further my studies and I completed an MSc in Systems Neuroscience at the University of Sheffield. My PhD project aims to assess the tubulin dynamics supporting neuronal longevity and how this goes wrong in neurodegenerative disorders.
Haydn Tortoishell
PhD student
I graduated with a BSc in Biosciences from Durham University in 2019. I then continued my studies at the University of Manchester, where I completed a research Masters degree in Neuroscience. During my project I investigated mechanistic links between kinesin dysfunction, subsequent microtubule damage, and axonopathy. Following on from this I tried my hand in Industry, working at AstraZeneca for a year and a half. Deciding that academic research is the path I am most passionate about, I have now started my PhD journey at SITraN. During my project my initial aim is to investigate cross-talk between axon maintenance and DNA damage repair, and possible links with neurodegeneration.
Emily Dawes
In 2022 I graduated from the University of Sheffield with an MBiolSci integrated masters in molecular biology. Following on from my degree I knew I wanted to pursue a career in science and gained some experience as a research technician at SiTraN, where I investigated gene therapy as treatment for hereditary spastic paraplegia type 47. This role gave me a keen interest in neuroscience and led me to apply for my current PhD position in the Twelvetrees lab. I have since started my PhD, investigating the potential of enhancing kinesin function as an anti-ageing treatment for neurons.
As well as this I am a keen climber and trail runner in my spare time and generally enjoy playing in the mountains!
Ali Twelvetrees
I currently hold a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship to study the molecular mechanisms of slow axonal transport. In 2017 I moved to Sheffield University and the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience as a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow, where I have established my independent research group. Prior to this, as a post-doc I worked on the coordination of microtubule-dependent motors during axonal transport with Prof Erika Holzbaur at the University of Pennsylvania and Prof Giampietro Schiavo at the UCL Institute of Neurology. I obtained my PhD under the supervision of Prof Josef Kittler in the department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology at University College London (UCL) whilst studying the molecular mechanisms of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABA-A receptor) transport by kinesin in neurons.
I knit, garden and walk to unwind when I can. I recently started running and I’m rubbish at it, but Sheffield scenery makes up for it!
A Christmas lab selfie from December 2019
A Scientist
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PhD Alumni
2023
Ashleigh Davey, PhD
Ashleigh graduated with an MBiolSci integrated Masters from the University of Sheffield in 2019, which involved an extended laboratory project in the Twelvetrees lab constructing microfluidic devices to study axonal transport. Ashleigh was awarded a PhD scholarship to continue her research career, investigating the mechanisms behind the translocation of ribosomes in neurons in collaboration with the Thomson Lab in the School of Biological Sciences. During her postgraduate studies Ashleigh explored the world of science writing and communication, contributing to the PreLights preprint highlighting project. She now works as a science writer for Frontline Genomics.
2023 was a busy year for the lab, as both current postdocs Emma and Evelyn also successfully defended their theses!
MSc Alumni
2022, Ashley Gregory, MSc Translational Neuropathology. Ashley was the winner of the Professor Paul Ince prize for Translational Neuropathology for the highest result overall in the MSc, and the department prize for the highest result in the research project and currently works for LabGenius.
2020, Kathan Desai, MSc Translational Neuroscience.
2020, Jaya Sanzgiri, MSc Molecular Medicine.
2020, Maria Saucedo, MSc Molecular Medicine. Maria is pursuing a PhD in mitochondrial trafficking.
2019, Emma Seddon, MSc Translational Neuroscience. Emma is putting her lab skills to work in the NHS.
2019, Emma Turner, MSc Translational Neuroscience. Before starting her PhD in the lab, Emma was an MSc project student with us.
2018, Dominic Bingham, MSc Translational Neuroscience. In October 2018 Dom joined the NeuroCyto Lab in Marseille for his PhD research.
2018, Michelle Moore, MSc Molecular Medicine.
MBiolSci Alumni (Level 4)
2024, Julia Almaraz Lebrument.
2023, Abby Green.
2023, Kornelija Devialtovskyte.
2022, Olivia Jackson.
2022, Eva Miletic.
2022, Caitlin Stokes.
2021, Zach Chant.
2021, Oliver France.
2020, Becca Mighell. Becca is currently a Molecular Biologist at LabGenius
2020, Annie Savage. Annie is now a Global Graduate Associate at AstraZeneca
2019, Ashleigh Davey. Before starting her PhD in the lab, Ash was a Level 4 undergraduate project student with us.
Summer Student Alumni
2023, Louis Rush. Louis is currently finishing his undergraduate degree in Oxford.
2022, Lewis Hunter-Craig, Wellcome Trust Biomedical Vacation Scholarship Student. Lewis is finishing his degree in Sheffield.
2018, Harriet Pratley, SURE student