Dr Nicola Suzanne Powles-Glover

Staff List

Department: Council Member

Profile:
I have a Joint Honours Degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of London. I spent a sandwich year at Glaxo R&D and worked on the Comet assay. I subsequently studied for a Masters’ Degree in Biological Research Methods at the University of Exeter.
In 1996, I joined the Medical Research Council Mammalian Genetics Unit: Inner Ear Development Group and studied for a PhD with the University of Reading on a part-time basis.
The focus of my PhD involved a hierarchical screen for genes implicated in mouse inner ear development. My work focused on making and screening an otic vesicle library for genes expressed at that developmental stage; culturing embryonic stem cells for gene targeting and making transgenic mice; the ultimate aim being to establish the potential role of each gene.
Since my PhD I have remained in the field of molecular biology, genetics and developmental biology working in different groups on mouse mutants with a neuromuscular phenotype; holoprosencephaly and craniofacial malformations; early molecular embryological defects; and left-right asymmetry defects. This combined experience encompasses embryology from conception to just prior to birth.
Because of my active involvement in promoting science; for six months I was seconded to the position of Regional Communications Manager (South) for the MRC. I was actively involved as a senior communication link between MRC Head Office and Units/MRC grant holders in a designated regional area.

I joined the Reproductive Toxicology Group in Safety Assessment at AstraZeneca as a Study Director in June 2009.
I currently work as a Reproductive and Paediatric Toxicologist for AstraZeneca in CPSS