Dr Peter Hewett BSc PhD

• PhD Biochemistry, University of London, 1994
• BSc Applied Biology (1st Class Hons), University of Wales College Cardiff, 1990

Peter Hewett qualified with a BSc in Applied Biology from the University of Wales College Cardiff (formally UWIST) in 1990. 

He went on to study for a PhD focusing on tumour vascular targeting at the CRC Gray Laboratory, London and established new techniques for the cultivation of human microvascular endothelial cells. 

In 1994 Peter took up a post-doctoral research position in the Academic Department of Clinical Oncology at the University of Nottingham where he continued studies on tumour vasculature and developed an interest in vascular endothelial growth factors. He moved to Birmingham to join Reproductive and Vascular Biology in 2001 and was appointed as a lecturer later that year.  

• MBChB: Deputy coordinator, lecture and small group teaching for Reproduction, Endocrinology & Development (RED) component
• Small group REN and CVS teaching MBChB
• Module coordination, lectures and lab practicals for BSc Biomedical Science 3rd year Reproductive Medicine module   
• Lectures, small group teaching for year 1&2 BSc Biomedical Science
• Supervision of 3rd year laboratory projects
• Tutorials & module lead for MRes in Cardiovascular Sciences
• Seminar, lab practical and assessment for Birmingham Foundation academy  
• Personal mentor for MBChB
• Personal tutor for BMedSc

Peter is interested in supervising doctoral research students in the following areas:

• Identification of pathways controlling vascular growth factor/receptor activity in the endothelium and response to vascular insult (ox-stress, hyperglycaemia)

• Transcriptional regulation of endothelial-restricted genes

• Molecular mechanisms regulating endometrial decidualisation and angiogenesis and their effects on implantation/placental development and perturbation in preeclampsia

If you are interested in studying any of these subject areas please contact Pete on the contact details above.

For a full list of available Doctoral Research opportunities, please visit our Doctoral Research programme listings. 

Dr Hewett’s research is focused on the molecular regulation of angiogenic factors and cognate receptors (e.g. vascular endothelial cell growth factors/VEGF, angiopoietins), which play a fundamental role in blood vessel growth and function. Many of these factors are frequently associated with poor outcome in pathologies such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, pre-eclampsia and cancer making them attractive targets for therapy. Understanding the molecular events leading to the transcription of these genes and their downstream effectors in vascular cells following insults such as oxidative stress and hyperglycaemia may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.   

Peter is also interested in endometrial decidualisation which is essential for the establishment of pregnancy and accompanied by extensive vascular remodelling. This process is frequently perturbed in infertility, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction of the fetus, which are a major burden on the NHS and may be associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in later life.

• Management Committee for the StAmP (statins for the amelioration of pre-eclampsia) clinical trial 
• Post graduate assessment CEM Genes & Reproduction theme 2008 – 2015
• Member of European Association of Cancer Research
• Member of British Association of Cancer Research