Profile of Mr David Smith
I am a final year PhD student under the supervision of Prof. John Dalton at Queen's University Belfast. My research focuses on the biochemical and biological characterisation of protease inhibitors from the helminth parasite Fasciola hepatica. I have found that this parasite harbours some functionally unique inhibitors, likely involved in the regulation of parasite and host proteases. My future work will focus on further biological characterisation of these inhibitors, as well investigations into their use as a novel therapeutic against the parasite itself (both as a vaccine and a drug).
Prior to my PhD, I completed an MPhil at Newcastle University characterizing the microbial communities associated with healthy, stressed and diseased corals.