Allan Kiprianos is a post-doctoral research associate in the department of Vascular Sciences, at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Hammersmith hospital. He graduated from the University of Westminster in 2004 (2i, BSc Physiology), followed by a PGCE from the University of Exeter (2005). He moved to the University of Birmingham in 2005–06 where he studied towards an MRes in Molecular Toxicology. His thesis in the School of Biosciences, under the supervision of Dr. Rosemary Waring, focused on the protective role of exogenous flavonoids on models of Parkinson’s disease, looking at how antioxidants might confer protection against mitochondrial toxins. In 2007 he moved to the University of Birmingham’s Medical School to undertake a PhD in rheumatology with Dr. Stephen Young and Prof. Paul Bacon in the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing. He completed his PhD in 2011 focusing on the role of the redox-sensitive enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) on endothelial dysfunction. Alongside his basic science research, he was responsible for the retrospective analysis of a multi-cohort study looking levels of ASM in patients with autoimmune chronic inflammatory diseases. These investigations reviewed the potential for serum-derived ASM to contribute to early endothelial damage, leading to disrupted vascular function, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Following a post as a medical writer in the private sector, gaining experience on deliverables for clients in the pharmaceutical industry, he moved to Imperial College London in 2013 to lead on a NIHR-BRC Immunology funded project in the laboratory of Prof. Justin Mason. His clinical research reviews potential biomarkers in large vessel vasculitides, while his basic science work focuses on the interaction of soluble mediators with the endothelium under flow-shear stress. This work investigates the molecular alterations and signalling pathways involved in the vascular microenvironment under normal laminar, or perturbed blood flow. Current work aims to link with clinical expertise in the department, to further understand the translational potential of the group’s research with outcomes from the clinic

Physiology, Lung diseases