Postdoctoral Researchers
Nur Kocaturk
I am originally from Çeşme, Turkey. I studied in Istanbul for my BSc and PhD. I have always been interested in how cells maintain homeostasis in response to various conditions. Therefore, during my PhD my main focus was to understand cross-link between UPS and autophagy during mitochondrial removal. After obtaining my degree, for my postdoctoral research I moved to Germany. At University of Cologne (CMMC), I worked on ERAD and its translational link to neurodevelopmental disorders in primary patient-derived cells. In 2021, I joined Professor Gopal Sapkota’s lab in the MRC PPU at the University of Dundee as a postdoctoral researcher to work on identification of new E3 ligases and DUBs regulating alpha-synuclein stability, which was also co-supervised by Prof Ian Ganley. I joined the CeTPD in July 2023 as a postdoctoral researcher in Farnaby group where I will extend my research on discovery of novel degraders for Central Nervous System focused diseases. Outside of the lab, I try to stay active as much as possible. I love experimenting in the kitchen, travelling, water sports and crafting – lately into ceramic.
Matylda Izert-Nowakowska
I originally come from Poland where I studied biotechnology and chemistry at the University of Warsaw. My PhD research was focused on creating a new plasmid-based system for inducing selective protein degradation in Gram-negative bacteria using degrader-like peptides. During my PhD, I developed skills indifferent techniques in molecular and structural biology, and biophysics. I also
contributed to developing methods for selective bacterial RNA enrichment for diagnostics and research applications. I moved to Dundee and joined the Farnaby Group in January 2024 as a postdoctoral scientist to work with mitophagy-regulating molecules. Combining cell biology with biophysics I hope to contribute to the advancement in understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Outside the lab, I enjoy practicing yoga, travelling, and spending time outdoors exploring nature.
PhD Students
Andreas Holmqvist
Andreas joined the Farnaby group as a PhD student in medicinal chemistry in September 2022. In his PhD, he will work on the development of blood-brain barrier permeable degraders to rescue neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. Andreas completed his master’s in organic and medicinal chemistry at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden spring 2022. During his master’s, Andreas worked on his personally designed master’s project developing PROTACs for the proteasome’s regulatory subunit, RPN11, to induce proteotoxic stress in multiple myeloma cells. In this project, he learned that stepping out of the comfort zone is one of the most rewarding feats in science since the reward supersedes the challenge by far. To further explore his interest in Andreas in TPD and chemically induced proximity, Andreas decided to apply for a PhD position at the new Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation in the Farnaby group. Andreas is a very social and easy-going person who loves spending time at the gym and being with the CeTPD family as well as his own family.
Adam Pinto
Adam, originally from Hertfordshire, completed his MChem in 2022 at the University of Oxford. His Part II (master’s) project was on the design and synthesis of aryl hydrocarbon receptor degraders as utrophin modulators for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, supervised by Professor Angela Russell. In August 2022 Adam joined the Ciulli group at the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation as an Associate Scientist in Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, within the Boehringer Ingelheim collaboration team. He remains at the CeTPD for his PhD, developing electrophilic kinase-targeted molecular glues in the Farnaby group. Outside of the lab, Adam enjoys travelling, watching the F1 and live music.
KTP Associates
Matt Parkin
I am originally from Newcastle but did my MChem at the University of York. My master’s project, supervised by Prof. Peter O’Brien was developing a method for the use of sp2-sp3 Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling within the context of 3D directed fragment-based drug discovery. In September 2023, I started working for Natara Global for a year as an R&D chemist, researching synthetic routes to flavour and fragrance compounds before moving to Glasgow. As a KTP associate, my role is a collaboration between the Farnaby group / CeTPD and Bioascent in Glasgow with my time split between the two. My project aims to develop methods for synthesising PROTAC libraries using high throughput experimentation techniques which can be used in industrial settings. Outside the lab I enjoy going to the gym, running, martial arts and watching football, especially NUFC!
Masters Students
Millie Sheridan
Millie recently graduated from the university of Dundee with a BSc in Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery. During her final year she did her honours project at the Centre for Targeted Protein Degradation, which was focused on systematically exploring cereblon binders structure activity relationships for proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs). Millie will be continuing her work at the CeTPD looking into Bromo-Tag, D-Tag probes for inducing ternary complexes between tagged proteins. In her spare time Millie enjoys trampolining and spending time with friends.
Undergraduate Students
Chloe Jackson
Chloe is from Dundee and is in her fourth year, studying Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery at the University of Dundee. She is working within the Farnaby Group, alongside Dr Matylda Izert-Nowakowska, for her Honours project 24/25. In her free time, Chloe enjoys going to concerts, playing piano, seeing friends and reading books from her never-ending collection.
Fraser Watt
Fraser is from Dundee and chose to study his Biological Chemistry and Drug Discovery undergraduate degree at the university. He joined the Farnaby group for his fourth year honours project. In his spare time he enjoys surfing and mountain biking around Scotland.