Pathway Journey
My PhD project focusses on using a newly characterised model of diabetes, the KINGS mouse, to investigate sex differences underlying pancreatic islet biology and its dysfunction in the Diabetes Research group under Dr Aileen King.
Biography
I graduated from University College London in 2018 with a MSci in Biological Sciences. During this time, I undertook a 6-month project in the UCL MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology where I investigated Sulfolobus as a model organism for the study of the archaeal cell cycle. In my second year, I was awarded funding by the Rank Prize Funds to investigate epigenetic changes associated with Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease within the Institute of Developmental Sciences, Southampton University. It was during these placements that I developed an interest in academia.
I choose the MRC DTP because of its wide range of projects available, extensive training opportunities (in the form of workshops and seminars) and the option to undertake rotations as part of the 1+3 programme. The rotation year not only widened my scientific knowledge base and technical skills repertoire but exposed me to varying approaches to research. Thanks to this, I am now conducting my PhD in a field I would never have considered before!
By choosing the MRC DTP I have also been able to apply for a grant to support a 3-month research placement in Vancouver, Canada. This placement will provide an excellent opportunity for me to advance my academic studies and research career prospects.
Publications
Beta cell endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress drives diabetes in the KINGS mouse without causing mass beta cell loss. Daniels Gatward LF, Kim Y, Loe A, Liu Y, Kristensen L, King AJF. Diabet Med. 2022. (accepted for publication)
The use of mice in diabetes research: the impact of physiological characteristics, choice of model and husbandry practices. Daniels Gatward LF, Kennard MR, Smith LIF, King AJF. Diabet Med. 2021.
The use of mice in diabetes research: the impact of experimental protocols. Kennard MR, Daniels Gatward LF, Roberts AG, et al. Diabet Med. 2021.
The KINGS Ins2+/G32S Mouse: A Novel Model of ?-Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Human Diabetes. Amazon L.F. Austin, Lydia F. Daniels Gatward, Miriam Cnop, Gabriel Santos, David Andersson, Sally Sharp, Clive Gentry, Stuart Bevan, Peter M. Jones, Aileen J.F. King. Diabetes. 2020
Practical Considerations when Using Mouse Models of Diabetes. Aileen J.F. King, Lydia F. Daniels Gatward and Matilda R. Kennard. Springer Methods and Protocols. 2020
Awards
UK-Canada Globalink doctoral exchange scheme award
MRC flexible supplement fund award
Conferences
Diabetes UK professional conference 2022: poster presentation
Society for Endocrinology BES 2021: poster presentation
Diabetes UK professional conference 2021: poster presentation
Insulin100 (2021): poster presentation
EASD annual meeting 2021: Poster presentation
Diabetes UK professional conference 2020: abstract accepted for oral presentation
Social Media
www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-daniels-gatward