Dr Paul Meakin

Profile

• I completed my degree at the University of Nottingham, in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry (MSci) in 2004.
• In 2005 I moved to the University of Dundee to undertake a PhD with Professor Mike Ashford, on the role of the ß-secretase enzyme, in whole animal energy homeostasis.
• Between 2009 and 2018 I worked in Professor Ashford’s lab researching the hormonal balance of energy homeostasis, type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• In 2018, I was awarded a BHF Intermediate Basic Science Research Fellowship and joined the University of Leeds as a senior research fellow.
• co-lead of the Physiology Society’s Metabolic Physiology Theme (2019-2022).
• British Microcircualtion Society Ordinary Committee member (2019-2022).

Research interests

• Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of mortality and morbidity for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is also significantly increased.
• The aim of my lab is to understand why and how these diseases are linked, in order to find new ways to prevent their long-term harmful consequences.
• Of particular interest is the ß-secretase enzyme, BACE1. We are aiming to determine the physiological and pathological functions of BACE1 and establish it as an attractive therapeutic target for Type 2 diabetes and its co-morbidities. 

Qualifications

• MSci Biochemistry and Biological chemistry
• PhD

Professional memberships

• Diabetes UK
• British Society for Cardiovascular Research
• British Microcirculation Society
• The Physiology Society
• The Endocrinology Society
• The Biochemistry Society

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine
• Discovery and Translational Science
• Cardiometabolic
• British Heart Foundation - Cardiovascular research
• Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre