Research Staff

Kamilla Schmidt, Lab Manager

Kamila is a lab manager in the C-PACA and is an experimental officer involved in the research into clinical translation of biomarkers using mass spectrometry, including breath volatiles (Manchester Breathomics Group).

Kamila completed her PhD at the University of Salford, focusing on the investigation of volatile metabolites as potential biomarkers of lung cancer through in vitro cell studies. She then worked in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology as a research technician in LC-MS analytics, where she worked on projects using LC-MS-based untargeted metabolomics as a tool for the synthetic biology of natural products.

Danielle Weaver, Postdoctoral Researcher

Dan is a postdoctoral researcher working on bacterial and fungal microbiome, metagenomics, whole genome sequencing and transcriptomics. Dan’s PhD research focused on Campylobacter N-glycosylation systems and antibody-based detection. Prior to joining the C-PACA, she developed a novel microbiome-based diagnostic, performed microbiome analyses, and identified novel noncoding RNAs at the Manchester Fungal Infection Group.

Waqar Ahmend, Research Fellow

Waqar is part of the Respiratory Group at Wythenshawe Hospital, conducting research within the Manchester Breathomics Group and the Centre for Precision Approaches to Combatting AMR. His research interests lie in leveraging multi-omics technologies to investigate the underlying mechanisms of chronic lung diseases and lung infections.

Jake Lain, Senior Research Technician

Jake graduated from the University of Manchester in June 2023 and immediately joined C-PACA, specialising in liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. His research focuses on therapeutic drug monitoring, and he collaborates with Cancer Research UK and YYZ Technologies on the development of diagnostic assays.

Alexandra Verhey, Senior Research Technician

Alexandra has a background in clinical microbiology, molecular genetics, and clinical trials.  She is responsible for maintaining quality management systems and bolstering health and safety procedures within the department. Alexandra also provides laboratory support for microbiome, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and whole genome sequencing research.

Jemima Moses, Senior Research Technician

Jemima Moses is a Senior Research Technician with a Master’s degree in Medical Genetics and Genomics from the University of Glasgow. She has experience in various molecular techniques and previously worked as a medical laboratory assistant in the NHS, where she managed specimen processing and laboratory operations.

Currently, Jemima is involved in the PULSE-CF Innovation Hub, a research initiative focused on understanding and preventing pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis. Her primary role is coordinating study samples and preparation for molecular and chemical biomarker analysis.

Aggie Turlow, Postdoctoral Researcher

Aggie is a bioinformatician at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and works with clinical and laboratory researchers from the BRC Respiratory Theme to improve precision diagnostics and therapeutics in airways disease. Her research interests are in integration of complex experimental and clinical datasets to understand how biological systems interact with each other and respond to disease and treatment. Aggie leverages her previous experience as veterinary surgeon and laboratory scientist to guide data analysis and interpretation and advice on research study design.