Dr Thomas McDonnell
Dr McDonnell began his research career at the University of Hertfordshire, achieving a 1st Class (Hons) BSc in Biomedical Sciences. He then carried out research in the Centre for Infectious Diseases characterising Norovirus and Sapovirus before translating these skills into the Free Foetal Genetics unit at Great Ormond Street where he helped develop non-invasive prenatal testing using next-generation sequencing. He was then offered a prestigious MRC CASE Studentship in the laboratory of Prof. Rahman at UCL developing a novel therapeutic for Antiphospholipid Syndrome. After this he then moved into Biophysics in the laboratory of Prof. Dalby where he characterised antigen protein structure and now is carrying out a senior fellowship identifying novel diagnositc approaches in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
Meet The Team
Dr Emily Cornish
Dr Cornish joined the McDonnell Lab as a clinical PhD Student. Already a fully qualified obstetritian, Dr Cornish has focussed her research on Chronic Histiocytic Intervillousitis (CHI), including setting up an international network of CHI researchers and hosting the first specific CHI conference.
Dr Christophe Lalaurie
Dr Lalaurie joined the McDonnell Lab in 2024 after completing his PhD in the Dalby lab at UCL. In his role as a Post Doctoral Fellow, he leverages his expertise in Molecular Simulation, Protein Characterisation and Protein Separation to identify potential new diagnostics in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Ms Lucia Martin
Ms Martin specialises in patient engagement, patient recruitment and cellular immunology. Ms Martin joined from the Jury Group at UCL, having published across a number of autoimmune conditions utilising flow cytometry and cytometric bead arrays to characterise immunological dysfunction.
Ms Imogen Buckle
Ms Buckle is a PhD Student in the McDonnell Lab shared with the DeGroot Lab at UCL. She has experience in protein expression, cloning, purification and studies ADAMTS13 investigating the mechanisms behind Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (TTP).
Ms Keira Louden
Ms Louden is a PhD Student shared between the McDonnell and Jury labs at UCL. She has laboratory experience both in Germany and the UK specialising in molecular approaches in research. Her project aims to elucidate the mechanisms behind Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
Prizes and Grants
Prizes:
2023 - Travel Grant Award - UCL GEO (Thomas McDonnell)
2022 - MRF Future Leader Commendation (Thomas McDonnell)
2022 - Garrod Award (BSR) (Thomas McDonnell)
2022 - ICAPA2022 Oral Award (Thomas McDonnell)
2021 - Max Peruiz Writing Award (Emily Cornish)
Major Grants:
2024 - UCL Therapeutic Acceleration Scheme
2024 - Action Medical/ Life Arc
2023 - UCLH BRC
2023 - Lupus UK Project Grant
2022 - Versus Arthritis Senior Fellowship (Thomas McDonnell)
2020 - MRF Lupus Fellowship (Thomas McDonnell)
2020 - MRC Clinical Fellowship (Emily Cornish)