Posts
News Features from the Archive
A few of these links below may be showing their age, but they still capture some meaningful moments from my academic journey.
May 2025
Congratulations to Jessica, who won the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition!
May 2025
Congratulations to Isaac Thomson, who won the most Innovative Project prize for his project on the Synthesis of Gold-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Impact on Sperm Motility and Kinematic Parameters
April 2025
We made the local news
April 2025
Congratulations to Rachel on her first paper being accepted by Sensors and Actuators Reports!
R. Ashton, M. Rizwan, and C. D. Gwenin, Development of low-cost impedimetric biosensors for the quantitative detection of cortisol and the human growth hormone.
March 2025
Landmark agreement launched at Abertay University to boost student mental health.
February 2025
Jo had her second posthumous paper accepted
J. Hacking, V. V. Gwenin, M. S. Baird, M. Rizwan, C. D. Gwenin, A Novel Flow Through Assay and Smartphone Application-based Prototype for Point-of-Care Diagnosis of Tuberculosis, Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease accepted
January 2025
We’re pleased to announce that the University has teamed up with a recycling organisation to reduce waste by upcycling unwanted office furniture.
Recycle Scotland matches organisations with excess furniture with those seeking a sustainable alternative to buying new. They then repurpose and resell the furniture to various organisations, including many charities in the third sector.
Last summer, the University successfully recycled or rehomed 279 individual furniture items, along with miscellaneous items from the Kydd Building. This resulted in carbon dioxide equivalent savings of 2,858 kgCO2e—equivalent to the emissions from flying from Glasgow to London 16 times!
December 2024
We have a new chapter published.
Chapter 10: 3D-printed Low-cost Electroanalytical Diagnostic Platforms: Basics, Materials, Fabrication, and Applications Detection Science, 233 – 261, 11 Dec 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/9781837673216-00233
November 2024
Exciting news! Our very own Marica Stoll is featured on the University press flyer today as we celebrate a proud milestone—her first group of students is graduating at Caird Hall!
A huge congratulations to the ten individuals who have successfully completed the PGCert in Psychological Therapies in Oncology. This innovative course, developed in collaboration with Maggie’s—the nationally recognised cancer support charity based at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee—aims to make a real difference in the field.
The program is tailored to highlight and strengthen the vital role of Cancer Support Specialists, including oncology nurses and radiographers, by equipping them with advanced skills to better serve those affected by cancer.
Well done, Marica, and congratulations to all the graduates.
November 2024
A £1.9M Science Futures initiative aims to build Tayside’s next-gen science workforce.
October 2024
As part of our Abstract 45 speaker series, Chris delves into the dynamic interface of chemistry and biology, exploring its vast potential to fuel medical innovation and drive economic growth. Beginning with a brief personal reflection, the discussion transitions to highlight key contributions of biochemistry to cutting-edge developments, including point-of-care diagnostic sensors and an advanced drug delivery system. Furthermore, the talk offers insight into the pivotal role academic research plays in these fields, while addressing the challenges universities face in translating scientific innovations into tangible, market-driven solutions. By bridging the gap between research and real-world applications, this talk underscores the transformative power of biochemistry in advancing both healthcare and economic progress.
September 2024
Congratulations to Tong for publishing her first paper
T. Ji, T, W. Xiao, G. Dawson, Q. Dong, and C. D. Gwenin, Iridium Oxide-modified reference screen-printed electrodes for point-of-care portable electrochemical cortisol detection. Talanta. (2024) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126776
August 2024
NSS 2024: Abertay ranked top Scottish Modern University
July 2024
We launched a new partnership with Edinburgh’s Centre of Therapy
May 2024
Best of Abertay talent takes centre stage at the 2024 Generation Science event.
April 2024
Independent body QAA expresses confidence in the University’s quality arrangements.
February 2024
We attended the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition scoping meeting.
December 2023
We attended the £1.55m research and innovation budget, scoping meeting by NHS Scotland Assure.
November 2023
We attended the ICURe Roadshow.
October 2023
It is with both sadness and proudness that we announce Jo’s posthumous paper has now been accepted. She would have been elated ..
J. Hacking, V. Gwenin, R.J. Dacombe, M. Frimpong, R.O. Philips and C.D. Gwenin, A Single Synthetic Lipid Antigen for Improved Serological Diagnosis of Buruli Ulcer, Accepted Public Health Action, 13, 4, 173-178 (2023) DOI: https://doi.org/10.5588/pha.23.0038
This paper is dedicated to Joanne (Binks) Hacking who was without doubt a driving force of energy and enthusiasm; her departure is a loss to the diagnostics industry, academically, but personally her death is one in the eye for ethics and moral decency. She lives on in Sam’s heart and through organ donation to three people, thus far, who will never have the pleasure of meeting her.
September 2023
Exciting times as Jessica Mahajan joins us to begin her PhD.
September 2023
Abertay ranked in UK top 10 for student experience
July 2023
A new position is available as a Senior Lecturer in Nursing why not come and join our friendly team
June 2023
Chris was appointed Interim Head of the Division of Health Sciences within the The School of Applied Sciences which delivers programmes and applied research in the areas of mental health nursing, counselling, biomedical sciences, psychology, forensic sciences, engineering, food science, and sport and exercise sciences. There has been significant growth in the School’s research output in recent years.
May 2023
A two-day celebration of innovative honours projects from Abertay University science graduates took place.
April 2023
We are attending the Innovate Launchpads Network meeting in Belfast
April 2023
Congratulations to the team on the new publication
P. Ball, E. Thompson, S. Anderson, V. Gwenin, A. Ashoorzadeh, J. Smaill and C. Gwenin, The Dinitrobenzamide Mustard Prodrugs, PR-104A and SN27686, for Use in a Novel MNDEPT Cancer Prodrug Therapy Approach, Bioscience Reports 00 1–12. (2023) DOI.org/10.1042/BSR20230627
March 2023
We attended Illuminate Dundee
January 2023
We have a new fully funded PhD available in the area of drug delivery
January 2023
Congratulations to Rizwan who published our first paper for 2023
Recent advancement in sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen using nanomaterials based immunosensors, Surfaces and Interfaces, 102596, DOI.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2022.102596
November 2022
November 2022
We attended the 21st International Leprosy Conference
September 2022
We are honoured to join the Carnegie Trust
July 2022
We attend Scotland’s Innovation-led future – Accelerating the health & social care of tomorrow meeting in Edinburgh
June 2022
We have a fully funded PhD starting on October 2022 at Abertay University in the area of nanoparticles and drug delivery for more information please email for more details
June 2022
We have PhD positions available subject to funding please email for more details
March 2022
We are pleased to say that we are moving over to Abertay on the 1st of April 2022
Jan 2022
July 2021
We have a new fully-funded PhD opportunity within our group please email me for more information, or check out our jobs page
June 2021
Congratulations to Rachel who passed her phd with minor corrections!
Abertay ranked in UK top 10 for student experience
July 2023
A new position is available as a Senior Lecturer in Nursing why not come and join our friendly team
June 2023
Chris was appointed Interim Head of the Division of Health Sciences within the The School of Applied Sciences which delivers programmes and applied research in the areas of mental health nursing, counselling, biomedical sciences, psychology, forensic sciences, engineering, food science, and sport and exercise sciences. There has been significant growth in the School’s research output in recent years.
May 2023
A two-day celebration of innovative honours projects from Abertay University science graduates took place.
April 2023
We are attending the Innovate Launchpads Network meeting in Belfast
April 2023
Congratulations to the team on the new publication
P. Ball, E. Thompson, S. Anderson, V. Gwenin, A. Ashoorzadeh, J. Smaill and C. Gwenin, The Dinitrobenzamide Mustard Prodrugs, PR-104A and SN27686, for Use in a Novel MNDEPT Cancer Prodrug Therapy Approach, Bioscience Reports 00 1–12. (2023) DOI.org/10.1042/BSR20230627
March 2023
We attended Illuminate Dundee
January 2023
We have a new fully funded PhD available in the area of drug delivery
January 2023
Congratulations to Rizwan who published our first paper for 2023
Recent advancement in sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen using nanomaterials based immunosensors, Surfaces and Interfaces, 102596, DOI.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2022.102596
November 2022
November 2022
We attended the 21st International Leprosy Conference
September 2022
We are honoured to join the Carnegie Trust
July 2022
We attend Scotland’s Innovation-led future – Accelerating the health & social care of tomorrow meeting in Edinburgh.
June 2022
We have a fully funded PhD starting on October 2022 at Abertay University in the area of nanoparticles and drug delivery for more information please email for more details
June 2022
We have PhD positions available subject to funding please email for more details
March 2022
We are pleased to say that we are moving over to Abertay on the 1st of April 2022
Jan 2022
July 2021
We have a new fully-funded PhD opportunity within our group please email me for more information, or check out our jobs page
June 2021
Congratulations to Rachel who passed her phd with minor corrections!
June 2021
Our sepsis project made heathcare global
May 2021
Congratulation to Alice who passed her phd with flying colours!
May 2021
Congratulation to Alice who passed her phd with flying colours!
May 2021
Congratulation to Jordan who passed his phd with flying colours!
March 2021
Congratulations to Pat, Rob, Simon, Emma and Van on the publication of their new paper in Pharmaceuticals
P. Ball, R. Hobbs, S. Anderson, E. Thompson, V. Gwenin. C. Von Ruhland, C. D. Gwenin, The YfkO nitroreductase from Bacillus Licheniformis on gold-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles: Towards a novel directed enzyme prodrug therapy approach, Accepted in Pharmaceuticals (2021)
February 2021
Congratulations to Rizwan Josh and Carol on the publication of their new paperJ. Davies, C. Thomas, R. Mohammad, C. Gwenin, Development of electrochemical DNA biosensor for equine hindgut acidosis detection, Accepted in MDPI Sensors (2021)
January 2021
Congratulations to Carol for her recent publication
C. Thomas and C. D. Gwenin, The role of nitroreductases in resistance to nitroimidazoles, Accepted in MDPI biology (2021)
January 2021
Congratulations to Alice on having her second paper accepted
A. J. Heeroma, J. Toffrey and C. D. Gwenin, Approaches towards the detection of Sepsis: A review, Accepted in International Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Analysis, (2021)
September 2020
Congratulations to Carol Jones who published her first paper in Physiological Reports C. Jones and C. Gwenin, Cortisol level dysregulation and its prevalence – Is it nature’s alarm clock? Accepted in Physiological Reports (2020)
September 2020
Congratulation to Jo who passed her phd with flying colours!
September 2020
The Gwenin team make the news!
August 2020
A warm welcome to the first three PhD students recruited into the Gwenin team!
All the students will be working on applied interdisciplinary life science projects. Please click on their pictures to view their projects.
Max Critchlow
Yihan Wang
Tong Ji
August 2020
Congratulations to Pat and team on their new paper
P. Ball, J. Halliwell, S. Anderson, V. Gwenin, C. Gwenin, Evaluation of two Xenobiotic Reductases from Pseudomonas putida for their suitability for a novel MNDEPT cancer prodrug therapy approach, Accepted in MicrobiologyOpen (2020) https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.1110
July 2020
Congratulations to Alice on having her first paper accepted
A. J. Heeroma and C. D. Gwenin, Development of solid-phase RPA on a lateral flow device for the detection of pathogens related to Sepsis, Sensors, 20(15), 4182, (2020) DOI.org/10.3390/s20154182
July 2020
XJTLU appoints Chris as Head of Department from September 2020
As lockdown eases in the UK, thoughts turn towards the Gwenin teams next stage of the journey. Chris will take up his new role of Head of Department (Sept 2020) alongside his Professor of Research role (started in May 2020) at XJTLU; heading a team of international staff from across the globe. This is an exciting appointment for the group to branch out into new areas of research, blended teaching and to absorb and learn from a new culture. Three PhD students are now in the system awaiting approval from the doctoral school; thus, the team is beginning to form.
June 2020
A fully-funded PhD is available in the area of biochemistry please email if you’re interested
June 2020
XJTLU Chemistry makes the news!
May 2020
The first contracted day in XJTLU begins – whilst I’m locked down in the UK
April 2020
Bangor University has offered facilities for large scale support for COVID-19 testing for the NHS in our laboratories.
March 2020
Bangor labs have now closed and the team are working from home please bear with us!
Two fully-funded PhDs are available please email me for details
March 2020
Chris sets out to form his first Chinese research group
March 2020
Dr. Gwenin leaves Bangor
I have thoroughly enjoyed my 15 years in a full-time capacity working for Bangor, but I feel it is time for a change. This is not a decision I have taken lightly and is one I have come to after much deliberation. I will always be grateful for the opportunities Bangor has provided throughout my career but it’s time to spread my wings.
€5 million of additional funding announced for Ireland-Wales innovation project that is driving life science sector growth across the two countries
The Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network (CALIN), which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme, was established in 2016 and supports research and development in life science SMEs in West Wales and East and South Ireland.
So far, the CALIN project has assisted more than 100 companies and established 36 short and medium-term collaborative projects. The cross-border initiative teams a Welsh and Irish university with an SME to deliver developments in the life sciences, which lead to new life science products being launched onto the market.
CALIN support has led to more than 5 million euros of R&D investment from businesses and the creation of 20 new jobs.
In keynote addresses at Swansea University’s Collaborate 2020 conference, CALIN directors Prof Shareen Doak and Prof Steve Conlan announced that the project had been awarded the additional funding and will now continue until 2023.
Prof Conlan said: “The additional funding will enable the CALIN Partners to continue to drive research and development within life science SMEs across Wales and Ireland.”
Prof Doak added: “The CALIN approach to innovation is not only delivering tangible results for SMEs in Ireland and Wales but also establishing sustainable partnerships between business and academia in the two countries that will ensure continued sector growth for the foreseeable future.”
Counsel General and Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles, who is responsible for EU funding in Wales, said: “We’ve already seen how successful the CALIN project has been in bringing top academics from Wales and Ireland together with businesses to help develop new life science products. This is so important, not only to the economy, but in jointly developing ground-breaking, world-class products to launch to the market, creating jobs and business opportunities on both sides of the Irish Sea.
“I’m delighted to see this funding extended until 2023. Wales-Ireland collaborative projects are widening our understanding in so many vital areas. This project is another practical example of the close and productive research relationship between Wales and Ireland. It shows our nations collaborating to take real action to respond to real issues, supporting innovation and growth and making the most of creative solutions.
“We greatly value our research collaborations with Irish partners and look forward to building further success together.”
Want to find out more about the CALIN project? Visit us at www.calin.wales.
Are you an SME involved in the life science sector in Wales or Ireland? If you would like to be part of the growing number of businesses that have benefited from the expertise of the CALIN network, we would welcome your interest. Please get in touch.
Gwenin: Clarity by Design 