Dr Abigail Byford
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Assistant
- Email: A.R.Byford@leeds.ac.uk
- Website: Twitter
Profile
Academic Background:
2014-2019 MBiol Neuroscience (International) at the University of Leeds with Study Abroad Year at Northern Arizona University in Biomedical Science.
2019-2023 BHF-funded 4-year PhD in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds.
2023-Present Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Reproductive Biology, Leeds Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds..
Placements and Summer Projects:
2023 – BHF PhD Placement, EMBL Barcelona in Dr Kristina Haase Laboratory
2018 – Summer Placement, University of Leeds in Dr Julie Aspden Laboratory
2017 – Summer Placement, Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona, USA, Dr Rita Sattler Laboratory
Research interests
My research is focused on the complications of maternal diabetes in pregnancy, including its effects on placental and fetal growth, particularly where infants are born large for gestational age (LGA). I am specifically interested in the influence of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and maternal glucose levels in pregnancies complicated by diabetes, particularly focusing on placental and fetal development.
In addition to my laboratory research, I am interested in public engagement. I have developed several engagement activities that link my research on the placenta and my interest in artistic printmaking, known as PlacentArt, including at the University of Leeds Be Curious Festival. I have recently recieved public engagement funding from the Society for Endocrinology to continue the PlacentArt project. I am also on the Society for Endocrinology Public Engagement Committee.
Qualifications
- MBiol, BSc Neuroscience
- PhD in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
Professional memberships
- Society for Endocrinology
- Society for Reproductive Investigation
- British Society for Cardiovascular Research
- United Kingdom Society for Extracellular Vesicles
Research groups and institutes
- Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine