Our People

Andrew Filer is Professor of Translational Rheumatology and Director of the Birmingham Tissue Analytics Facility at the University of Birmingham. He is a co-theme lead for Arthritis in the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre. His research work spans the full translational cycle and focuses on synovial pathology using ultrasound imaging and advanced tissue analytics, taking tissue samples using minimally invasive ultrasound guided techniques and leveraging his directorship of a dedicated tissue analytics facility to generate cutting edge spatial data.

Within tissue-based inflammatory arthritis cohorts and clinical trials he uses advanced spatial tissue analyses to (i) understand mechanisms of disease initiation, resolution and persistence, (ii) understand mechanisms of response to advanced therapies and (iii) generate biomarkers of outcome and treatment response with funding from MRC, Versus Arthritis, NIHR and Industry partners.

To find out more about Professor Filer's research, please visit Professor Filer's staff profile.

David holds a BSc in Biomedical Science from Aston University. During this time he was involved in research into the immunological consequences of apoptotic working with Prof. Andrew Devitt. David moved to the University of Birmingham in 2011 and completed a PhD under the supervision of Prof Karim Raza and Prof David Sansom looking at the impact of Vitamin D3 on T cell costimulatory pathways. His postdoctoral work with Dr. Francesca Barone included discovery and translational research into the development of tertiary lymphoid structures in Sjögren’s syndrome and the development of digital image analysis workflows for Sjögren's syndrome clinical trials.

As Research Facility Manager of Birmingham Tissue Analytics, David is responsible for the operational management of the facility and works with academic and industry collaborators to plan spatial biology projects within the facility.

Sebastian obtained his BSc in Mathematics at the University of Manchester. During his studies, he conducted a summer research project funded by the Medical Research Council on placental structure in fetal growth restriction. He then earned an MSc in Applied Mathematics before pursuing a MSc and PhD at the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Topological Design, supervised by Prof. Fabian Spill and Prof. Iain Styles. His research focused on developing image analysis workflows for blood vessel structures and inflammation diseases.

Now, as an Advanced Image Analysis Specialist, Sebastian develops biomedical image analysis workflows, ranging from rigorous methodologies for clinical trials to innovative workflows for cutting-edge research.

Sebastian also remains active in Public Engagement as well as an advocate for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, having organised workshops with in2scienceUK and The Piscopia Initiative.

Christopher obtained a BA in Biological Sciences from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Nottingham. To round off his education, Christopher earned a PhD at the University of Birmingham on the origin of pathology in the algal genus Prototheca, supervised by Professor Robin May and funded by the BBSRC as part of the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP), followed by a postdoc using single molecule localisation microscopy to identify the distribution of receptors on the surface of a cell in response to drug treatment.

His research background is varied, with a mix of wet and dry lab experience, with a common core of handling a variety of biological data, and building robust automated analysis pipelines. As an Advanced Image Analysis Specialist, Christopher builds custom tools and pipelines for integrating different modes of biological data and analysing that data at scale.

Dr. Turner completed his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences at Plymouth University in 2011. He began working as a research technician in the lab of Professor Filer before beginning his doctoral studies which he successfully completed in 2017. He now works as a postdoctoral research fellow across the labs of Professor Andrew Filer, Professor Benjamin Fisher, and Dr John Reynolds. He currently leads academic, and industry partnered bioinformatic analyses, performs wet lab experiments validating and extending findings across and within labs, and supervises doctoral students within the group. His research is cross-disease/tissue with a focus on autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, and cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and a particular interest in the stratification of autoimmune disease using process modules common/private to each disease.

Saba Nayar earned her MSc (Hons) in Immunology from King’s College London in 2009, where she conducted research on immunoglobulin light chain editing in human B-cells under Professor Jo Spencer. She then pursued a PhD at the University of Birmingham, studying the role of stromal cells in chronic inflammatory conditions like Sjögren’s Disease, under the guidance of Dr. Francesca Barone and Professor Chris Buckley.

Over the past decade, Saba has served as a research fellow at the University of Birmingham’s Department of Inflammation and Ageing. Her work is distinguished by its emphasis on cross-tissue and cross-disease comparisons in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), with a specialized focus on Sjögren’s Disease. She also closely collaborates with Professor Ben Fisher’s team in identifying biomarkers of disease activity, establishing critical links between biological outcomes and key symptoms in Sjögren’s Syndrome and non-SS sicca syndrome. Saba has spearheaded multiple studies, ranging from basic research to translational studies, and has collaborated with pharmaceutical companies to identify and evaluate novel therapeutic strategies.

In partnership with the Birmingham Tissue Analytics (BTA), Saba has made significant contributions to the field by establishing immunohistochemical phenotyping and pioneering the multi-omic analysis of patient biopsies across various conditions, including Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Her expertise has been instrumental in integrating these advanced techniques into clinical trials, greatly enhancing the understanding of these complex diseases.

Beyond her research, Saba is actively involved in several research consortia, working on experimental medicine models to develop stratified approaches to various pathologies. Her dedication to the scientific community is further reflected in her advocacy for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) at the University of Birmingham. She serves as an ECR representative on multiple boards and committees and represents the Parents and Carers Network on the MDS EDI committee. Saba is deeply committed to fostering a supportive environment that empowers ECRs to thrive in their careers.

Susan gained her BSc in Biomedical Sciences and MSc in Immunology from Imperial College London; where she completed research projects in molecular biology, microbiology, and molecular immunology.

She earned a MRes and PhD through a Wellcome Trust funded doctoral training programme at the University of Birmingham. During her MRes, she undertook a research project at Monash University using intravital microscopy to investigate leukocyte migration. Her PhD project on B cell involvement in epithelial destruction in autoimmune liver disease was supervised by Prof. Dagmar Scheel-Toellner and Dr Zania Stamataki.

Currently, Susan is developing ex vivo culture methods for drug testing. She works with pharmaceutical companies on preclinical studies testing drug efficacy in explant tissue models, as well as on clinicals trials.

Susan is passionate about science communication and has organised science demonstration days at local schools, alongside her teaching roles within the university.

Dawn has an MSci in Bioveterinary Science from The Royal Veterinary College, University of London. She joined the University of Birmingham in 2020, first working for the rheumatology research group before joining our team in 2022. As a Senior Research Technician in BTA, Dawn’s main focuses are optimising hyperplex immunofluorescence panels and project delivery using the Lunaphore COMET platform. 

Jordanne gained her foundational knowledge of biology at the University of Warwick, where she obtained a degree in Biomedical Science. Here she developed a strong interest in Immunology, with her final research project based on the evolution of the Immune System in Eukaryotes.

As a Senior Laboratory Technician, Jordanne has trained in various histology techniques and across multiple automated Immunohistochemistry staining and imaging platforms, delivering data for pioneering research and clinical trials.

Nayandeep completed her BSc. in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Zoology from India. Following this, she pursued a MSc. in Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology from the University of Nottingham, where she focused on studying tissue-resident T cells in colorectal cancer patients.

Her research experience is diverse and comprehensive. She has worked on COVID-19 research, conducting comprehensive immunoassays to elucidate the mechanisms of viral infection, immune activation, and vaccine efficacy. She has also contributed to platelet research, further broadening her skillset in cellular and molecular biology. Her previous histological experience includes tissue fixation, tissue processing, and microtomy.

In her current role, Nayandeep works extensively with Leica BONDRx auto stainers for IHC and multiplex immunofluorescence staining, and Akoya Biosciences' platforms – PhenoImager and Phenocycler, utilizing their advanced imaging and spatial biology solutions. Her work with these platforms involves high-throughput tissue staining and imaging in both research-based projects and clinical trials.

Ammaarah holds a Bsc in Biomedical Science at the University of Birmingham where she has developed a solid foundation in biological sciences. With hands-on experience gained in a genetics laboratory, she has honed skills in genetic analysis and laboratory techniques. Additionally, her research on the relationship between COVID-19 and geographical locations developed her skills in conducting meaningful scientific investigations and analysing complex data. She is dedicated to advancing biomedical research and leveraging her expertise to contribute to innovative solutions in healthcare.

Ana graduated as a BSc in Biomedical Sciences in Lisbon, Portugal. She has over 16 years of experience in routine histological procedures, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques in a clinical setting.

In 2018 she joined the MRC Toxicology Unit, where she specialised in the optimisation and the application of advanced deep phenotyping methods.

Ana joined the University of Birmingham in 2021. She began her role in the BTA as an Immunohistochemistry and Imaging officer developing fluorescence multiplex IHC and RNAscope assays as well as working with Akoya’s PhenoImager slide scanner and inForm automated image analysis software. Now she is responsible for project management and hyperplex immunofluorescence panel development using Lunaphore's COMET technology.

Triin received her BSc in Biology and Human Psychology and MSc in Biomedical Sciences at Aston University, Birmingham. She finished her PhD studies specialising in ex vivo lung perfusion at the University of Manchester in 2018.

Triin then joined Prof Chris Buckley’s Rheumatology Research Group at the University of Birmingham. She gained extensive experience doing manual tissue staining, both standard and multiplex immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry, as well as RNAscope, for a variety of research projects.

In 2021 she joined the Birmingham Tissue Analytics and since then has been working on automated tissue staining platforms, mainly focusing on multiplex immunofluorescent staining on the Leica’s Bond RX machines, and using Akoya’s Phenoimager and Phenocycler technologies.

Joe achieved a BSc in Genetics from the University of Liverpool. He has been working in wet-lab roles since then, predominantly at University of Birmingham.

As a Technician in the HBRC tissue bank, Joe developed key histological skills such as microtomy, IHC and IF staining/scanning using the Leica BOND auto stainers and Akoya PhenoImager.

In his current role as Assistant Technical Specialist (IHC), Joe is responsible for the operation and management of spatial transcriptomics platforms at BTA to deliver on projects. Currently these include Nanostring nCounter, GeoMx and CosMx platforms.