SWansea ImmunoMetabolismResearch Lab
About our lab
The Swansea Immunometabolism Research Lab is based in Swansea University Medical School and has a focus on pregnancy immunology with interests in metabolomics.
The Lab Members
Cathy Thornton
Principal Investigator
Cathy Thornton is Professor of Human Immunology studying immunological adaptation in pregnancy and antenatal determinants of immune health in childhood. This includes study of the placenta in health and in adverse obstetric conditions. Interests in these areas also supports global challenges research related to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Analysis of blood via various techniques is a core research approach and this underpins a quest for novel blood-based diagnostics for pregnancy disorders. It also enables collaboration with developers of blood handling medical devices such as those for mechanical circulatory support.
April Rees
Biochemistry Tutor
I’m a Biochemistry Tutor with a research interest into women’s health. My PhD was investigating the immune system of pregnancy. My current research focuses on the inflammatory and metabolic profile of endometriosis and PCOS.
Oliver Richards
Research Assistant
I’m a research assistant with a particular interest in obstetric disorders. My research focuses on applying novel approaches to current diagnostic paradigms in pregnancy (including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia), with the goal of improving current care pathways and patient experiences. This involves investigating the ability of vibrational spectroscopy for the diagnosis of obstetric disorders and exploring the contribution of extracellular vesicles to disease aetiology.
Sophie Reed
Postdoctoral Researcher
I'm a postdoctoral researcher working on the NERC funded RESPIRE project (Relating Environment-use Scenarios in Pregnancy/Infanthood and Resulting airborne material Exposures to child health outcomes). My research focuses on investigating the effects of air pollution on pregnancy with a focus on inflammatory responses, epithelial barriers and innate immunity.
Molly Raikes
Research Technician/PhD student
I’m a research technician, where I’m currently focusing on extracellular vesicles and their role in immunity and inflammation.
Tyler Joseph
Master's student
I'm a masters student researching the effects of nanoplastic on innate immune cells during pregnancy