QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2027 · 2027-03

Explosive transients are uniquely powerful probes for understanding the evolution of the Universe at all scales. Through leadership in revolutionary new time-domain sky surveys, we will unleash the power of transients to tackle three key science questions with far-reaching implications: What is the nature of dark energy? How do stars live, die and enrich their environments with chemical elements? How do massive black holes form and grow and together with galaxies? We will answer these fundamental questions by collecting and analysing the largest spectroscopic data set of transients ever obtained. We will provide unprecedented statistical samples of all known types of explosions, as well as the first samples of extreme outliers or completely new classes. Next year, the Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will come online. This will discover millions of transients, far beyond what has been possible with past or current surveys, providing an unprecedented opportunity. But to realise this scientific potential necessitates a step change in our approach to follow-up observations. We are leading the Time Domain Extragalactic Survey (TiDES), using multiplexed spectroscopy with the 4-metre ESO Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST). Through TiDES, we will deliver a world-leading new approach to transient science by systematically obtaining spectra of >30,000 transients and >200,000 host galaxies over 5 years. This will be not just the largest transient dataset ever obtained (by a factor of ~5), but also has much higher spectral resolution (by a factor ~10) and far greater homogeneity (and therefore statistical power and control of selection biases) than any previous transient experiment. The unrivalled spectroscopy from TiDES is critical to understanding the LSST transient population and the far-reaching physics that they probe. No other survey can achieve such systematic, extensive spectroscopic data; in fact TiDES is the only program planned to systematically follow up LSST transients and their hosts. Spectra are essential to robustly classify transients and to identify the completely new types of events lurking in LSST. They encode fundamental properties and chemical compositions, and hence the underlying physics and the contribution to galactic enrichment. Only spectra can provide accurate redshifts required to measure physical luminosities from LSST photometry. We have put together a focused team of UK transient astronomers, combining some of the leading early career faculty in the field with experienced global leaders. We have extensive expertise in survey operations and simulations, transient classification and characterisation, supernova and black hole astrophysics, and state-of-the-art supernova cosmology. Such an ambitious program is only possible by combining our skills, and we have designed an efficient work flow to maximise science outcomes and complementarity between work packages. RIAs will lead the science exploitation of our survey, and we have developed an effective plan to train this next generation of transient astronomers. Our plan will allow the UK to lead globally in this very high profile science area, and could not be more timely: due to the time-critical nature of obtaining spectra of transients before they fade, this project must run in parallel with LSST.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-09

Type Ia supernovae are bright astrophysical transients that are understood to be caused by thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf stars in binaries. White dwarfs are remnants left behind when low-mass stars reach the end of their lives, and so these explosions are a key aspect of stellar evolution. The extreme conditions in thermonuclear explosions means that nucleosynthesis occurs and produces heavy elements up to, and including, the iron-peak. This makes thermonuclear supernovae critical for understanding the build-up of heavy elements in galaxies. Furthermore, they are sufficiently bright to see at extremely large distances and most of them fade at a rate that follows a well-established pattern that can be used to calibrate their true luminosities. This makes Type Ia supernovae powerful cosmological probes that have been widely used to study the expansion rate of the Universe and test models of dark energy. Thus, thermonuclear supernovae are important to a broad range of research in astronomy and remain a topic of active international research. However, we still lack a clear understanding of their nature: how do white dwarf systems evolve to the point at which thermonuclear ignition occurs, and what is the mechanism that causes the explosion to disrupt the star? Our project aims to address such questions by using theory to identify the observable signatures of different explosion scenarios. Specifically, we use numerical radiative transfer calculations to predict time series of spectra for models of thermonuclear supernovae. These can be compared to observations to test the underlying explosion theory and distinguish between models. We also make our predictions publicly available so they can be used by the community to help interpret new data or compare with alternative models. It is well established that thermonuclear supernovae are a diverse population. Aside from the “normal” Type Ia events, there are multiple distinct sub-classes that differ in their spectra and rate of brightness evolution. In particular, “Type Iax” (faint explosions that may leave a remnant behind) and “Ca-rich” events (faint explosions that occur in unusual stellar environments and show helium and calcium in their spectra) both occur at a substantial fraction of the “normal” Type Ia rate and have distinct nucleosynthesis patterns, meaning they can be important contributors to chemical enrichment. Our project will study a range of explosion scenarios that have been proposed for “normal” Type Ia supernovae and these peculiar sub-classes. By studying all with a common approach we can best unravel the relationships between them as required to understand the entire thermonuclear supernova population. Current developments in observational facilities offer exciting new opportunities for advancing our understanding of thermonuclear supernovae: JWST infrared spectra dramatically increase the range of species that can be studied at late times; SOXS will soon be delivering rapid-response simultaneous optical-near-infrared spectra. Thanks to our experience and the state-of-the-art computational tools we have developed, we are able to exploit the opportunities offered by these instruments in a timely manner. We can study the formation of near-infrared helium features at early times, which are a potential ‘smoking-gun’ for theoretical models that are ignited via helium fusion, and utilise late time optical to mid-infrared spectra to determine the structure of the inner ejecta. This approach offers the best opportunity to identify explosion mechanisms by combining predictions from world leading explosion theory with the best available observations.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-09

The Sun is a laboratory for astrophysics and a fundamental testing ground for many astrophysical techniques. Despite its proximity, there is strong evidence that a significant amount of the magnetic flux that emerges from its surface remains unresolved. This is due to the tangled nature of small-scale quiet Sun (QS) magnetic fields leading to the cancellation of opposite polarities within a diffraction-limited resolution element. Our inability to measure accurately QS magnetic fields at higher latitudes leads to even more unaccounted magnetic flux.  With the advent of high-resolution, spectropolarimetrically sensitive facilities such as the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), SUNRISE III and Solar Orbiter (SO), our project is extremely timely and aims to understand the structure, dynamics and polarimetric properties of small-scale QS magnetic fields in the solar photosphere and chromosphere. The complementary polarimetry that will be provided by Zeeman and Hanle diagnostics, will allow the detection of magnetic flux that is hidden from the traditional Zeeman sensitive lines. We will follow the evolution of small-scale photospheric loops as they rise through the lower atmosphere and determine the magnetic energy they carry into the chromosphere. The SO’s climb out of the ecliptic plane will provide the most accurate measurements of the magnetic flux near the polar regions and allow us to disentangle the significance of global versus local dynamo processes in the QS. We have secured the relevant DKIST and SUNRISE III datasets. The first gravity assistance manoeuvre at Venus, sending the SO to higher ecliptic latitudes, took place on February 18 2025. We therefore believe that our project has a high chance of success.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-09

Luminous, supernova-like flares from tidal disruption events (TDEs) of stars by supermassive black holes are now discovered regularly by wide-field transient surveys. These unique transients are powerful probes of accretion physics, black hole growth, galaxy evolution and more. From a decade of observations, one of the most exciting challenges to emerge in this field is the "TDE host galaxy problem": if virtually every galaxy harbours a SMBH, why are a third of TDEs found in rare post-starburst galaxies, which make up only ~1% of the galaxy population? Answering this question is fundamental to understanding the processes which govern TDEs. Despite the success in finding TDEs over the past decade, their measured rate seems to be converging on a lower value than expected, indicating crucial gaps in existing theories of the galactic dynamics that drive TDEs. Explanations for an elevated TDE rate in certain galaxies include disturbed radial density profiles, nuclear starbursts, and recent mergers, but distinguishing between these channels is only possible by resolving structure on scales <100 pc. It cannot be done using the data from existing or planned wide-field surveys (even including LSST), but can be achieved using a high-resolution space-based observations of known TDE host galaxies. To solve this problem, the Project Lead has been awarded 57 orbits with HST to survey all known TDE host galaxies out to z~0.05, forming a volume-complete sample with the multi-colour, high-resolution imaging needed to understand the faint and small-scale structures in these important galaxies. Our sample of 19 new objects (plus 4 from the literature) is the first data set with (i) the statistical power to determine whether these galaxies have higher central densities than typical quiescent galaxies, (ii) the resolution to spatially map the stellar ages and determine whether quenching occurs from the inside-out or outside-in, and (iii) the sensitivity to faint tidal features and shells needed to determine whether minor mergers are responsible for quenching the star-formation and altering the central density profiles. We are also part of a team with approved XMM-Newton and NICER time to study the TDE accretion disks and search for Quasi-Periodic Eruptions in 13 out of 19 host galaxies. Assuming that QPEs are driven by interactions between orbiting stars and TDE disks, the fraction of TDEs with QPEs will constrain the number density of stars on bound nuclear orbits with periods of hours-days (so-called extreme mass-ratio inspirals, or EMRIs). We will combine the X-ray, HST UV, and long-term optical data to measure the physical sizes of the TDE disks. Thus our project will constrain the density of stars in these galaxies both on scales of ~100 pc and at the accretion disk scales ~1 AU. Our unique dataset and carefully designed work plan provide an opportunity to tackle the host galaxy problem and determine the physical factors that lead to TDEs -- examining and connecting both the central densities and merger histories of these galaxies. This project simultaneously provides a detailed snapshot of the short-lived but critical post-starburst phase in galaxy evolution, and the first electromagnetic constraints on the rate of EMRIs, using QPEs as a probe many years before space-based GW detectors.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-07

Volcanoes are one of the most important natural drivers of climate change. Volcanic sulfate emissions reflect incoming sunlight, temporarily cooling the Earth’s surface. These natural effects are now considered as models for potential geo-engineering solutions to anthropogenic climate change, despite an incomplete understanding of volcano-climate relationships. Studying the impacts of past eruptions provides critical insights into how volcanoes interact with climate. Polar ice cores are particularly useful archives of past volcanism because they capture fallout from distant eruptions, including sulfates and volcanic ash (tephra). Although previously thought that very explosive tropical eruptions had the greatest measurable effect on the Earth’s climate, the SMASHING team’s research highlighted that small-to-moderate magnitude eruptions (SMME) contribute 40-60% of long-term volcanic forcing, and that extra-tropical eruption impacts on climate are as important as tropical ones. SMME are harder to detect in conventional ice-core records, however, and are underrepresented in global volcanic databases. This leaves a critical gap in our long-term understanding of SMME distribution in terms of spatial, temporal and magnitude distribution. This knowledge gap hinders both our ability to understand the wide-ranging climate impacts of SMME, as well as the direct hazards they pose such as long-range ash cloud dispersion that can shut down aviation routes. By studying ash in Greenland ice cores, SMASHING aims to investigate for the first time a continuous record of volcanic activity spanning the last two millennia to identify the occurrence and climate impacts of SMME. To do this, we take advantage of a new and easily accessible ice core (TUNU2022) from northern Greenland and archived ice from central Greenland (Eurocore2015). Within the ice, ash takes the form of minute concentrations of glass shards invisible to the naked eye whose geochemical fingerprint allows us to identify its source volcano. Knowing the source, we will use computer models to estimate the height of the volcanic clouds and how it has been transported to Greenland as this influences the potential climate impact of the eruptions. This approach will also tell us more about the frequency of major ash clouds, and the extent of the area that might be affected by future eruptions. In parallel, we will study the atomic composition of sulphur deposited alongside the ash, providing a second constraint on the height on the sulfate cloud and, in turn, the eruption capability to cool the Earth’s surface. Finally, by combining eruption source, sulfate yield and atmospheric transport, we will model the climatic impacts of these eruptions to evaluate their significance for the climate system. Our Common Era and Northern Hemisphere focus is crucial as climate models can be validated with respect to historical records. Our work is timely as it will deliver new datasets in time to inform the design of climate-forcing datasets for the next generation of climate models. SMASHING will push the boundaries of environmental science by delivering a new understanding of the cumulative climate impact of smaller eruptions and evaluate an overlooked but potentially significant driver of climate variability. The findings will reduce uncertainties in climate models used to attribute past climate shifts and predict future ones. Ultimately, this project will deliver vital new insights into the far-reaching impacts of volcanic eruptions, including climate impacts and ash-cloud hazards, helping scientists, policymakers, insurance and aviation industries and the public better understand these events across a range of scales.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-04

This project investigates how the island of Ireland became the multicultural society it is today. Both Northern Ireland and Ireland are now home to record numbers of foreign-born residents and a growing population of people of migrant heritage. In 2022, 23% of people in Ireland identified with an ethnicity other than ‘white Irish’ and 20% were born overseas. In Northern Ireland in 2021, 6% of the population had ‘other national identities’, double the figure for 2011. Having traditionally been understood through the prism of people leaving the island, ‘diaspora’ now also refers to diverse cultures across Ireland. However, Ireland’s history of increasing ethnic diversity has been neglected by historians, who continue to focus on Irish emigration. With immigration having become a globally divisive political issue, our project expands academic and public understanding of the history immigration to and increasing diversity within the island of Ireland. The project analyses never-before used archives, while also generating approximately ninety oral history interviews. This approach enables the project to illuminate the complexity of migrant and migrant-descended experiences, analyse the reaction of Irish people to increasing ethnic diversity, and explore how immigrant and immigrant-descended identities have evolved. The project covers the period from Irish partition in 1922, which established current national borders, to the publication of the Northern Irish and Irish censuses in 2021 and 2022, both of which underscored significant social and demographic change. We will use a varied range of archives to consider the impact of racism in Ireland, including links between Ulster Loyalists and British far right groups such as the National Front, as well as the Blueshirts, Ailtirí na hAiséirghe and other fascist organisations. The project will also chart the work of anti-racist organisations that attempted to combat racism. Examples include Harmony, founded in 1986, and the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM), founded in 1994. Our programme for impact and public engagement will provide invaluable context to current political debates about immigration and diversity. Understanding the historical roots of cultural diversity adds important nuance to contemporary rhetoric around immigration, which – across Ireland, the UK and beyond – has become characterised by xenophobia and racism. An interactive, multimedia exhibition and series of public history workshops will be curated in collaboration with our project partner, Ulster Museum Belfast (Museums Northern Ireland). The workshops are targeted at young people from migrant backgrounds, developing an active exchange between lived experience and historical research. The exhibition encourages visitors to engage with the gamut of migrant experiences by showcasing a selection of the project’s oral histories through interactive audio panels. This will be accompanied by a series of new documentary photographs commissioned from a practicing artist with a remit to create work exploring the varied landscapes of multicultural Ireland today. This material will be donated to the Ulster Museum’s permanent collections, where it will be fully accessible to future researchers, ensuring ongoing impact after the project’s lifecycle. We will host a witness seminar with anti-racist activists. We will publish an op-ed in the Irish Times to coincide with this and invite journalists as a further means of enabling our work to shape contemporary political debates. Finally, a Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) podcast will share our key findings, adding depth to public understandings of what has arguably become the most pressing issue of our time.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-04

The Great Irish Famine (1845-52) is the major demographic and diasporic event of the last millennia on the island of Ireland. Known as An Gorta Mór, ‘the Great Hunger’ the long-term effects of this calamity still resonate in modern society, perceptions of belonging and identity on the island of Ireland, and in the character of diaspora communities globally. Recent estimates place the scale of this calamity at over 2 million people dying or emigrating, while the island of Ireland still has not surpassed the peak of pre-Famine population. Focusing particularly on the impact and legacy of the Famine, Landscapes of Catastrophe integrates innovative cross-disciplinary methods for addressing cultural landscape change in the recent past, applying these to the analysis and understanding of catastrophic events and their long-term socio-economic, ecological and biological contexts. Specifically, it harnesses recent advancements in palaeoecology, geochronology, geoforensics and bio-geochemistry to reframe understanding of the Famine as a formative event in Irish history, and the long-term impacts of catastrophe globally.   Despite the seminal character of the Famine as a catastrophic event with global significance, and the fact that it remains a highly studied and emotive topic in scholarship and popular culture, the archaeological and landscape dimensions of changes wrought by the Famine are not well understood and its ecological and biological contexts are poorly recognised. In part, this gap is a product of inherent disciplinary silos between the humanities and sciences, and due to difficulties surrounding the ability of archaeology to closely localise and date environmental and social change in the material record. To this end, this project proposes a highly impactful and novel methodology of global resonance for dating environmental change in the past 200 years. Moreover, a unique coalescence of source materials for nineteenth-century Ireland means that there is an exceedingly rich body of cultural and environmental evidence for localised impacts, including detailed cartographic, demographic and documentary sources, that are globally unique and highly relevant for broader understandings of the social, economic, and ecological effects of famine or other catastrophic events.   Landscapes of Catastrophe harnesses the island of Ireland’s rich empirical historical and archaeological resources and deploys novel approaches to build a benchmark dataset for the broader contexts of the Great Irish Famine, focusing on developing an evidence base for detailed understandings of ecological, biological and landscape change. Despite the fact that the character of demography and landscape in rural Ireland is widely attributed to the catastrophic impact of the Famine, this remains to be tested at localised scales and contextualised more widely within longer-term trends vis-a-vis agricultural, environmental and economic change in eighteenth to twentieth-century Ireland. Our project takes six case studies which cross-cut different landscape, environment, economic and agricultural areas to address these major lacunae and build a new narrative and understanding of the Famine and its impact, grounded in intersectional accounts of human experience, resilience and adaptation.   We realise a transformational opportunity to develop globally leading methodologies for dating environmental change in the recent past. Deploying these to re-frame analysis of a key and highly emotive catastrophe is equally transformative, global resonant and relevant. By deploying landscape-based survey and excavation, alongside multi-proxy palaeoecology and bio-geochemistry to track the archaeological and environmental transformation of Famine-era Ireland for the first time, we will present never-before-possible understandings of ecological contexts for catastrophe and demographic change.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

There is great potential for understanding more about our society through better use of data that already exists. Government organisations collect a wealth of information about the entire population throughout their lives for the delivery of services; from maternity services to birth records, health care registration, education received, educational achievement, national insurance contributions, Census returns, benefits receipt, interaction with social services or the justice system…and more. Utilising and linking existing data is not only efficient, but it can provide a powerful means to consider what action is needed to tackle a wide range of social issues, guiding the development, implementation and evaluation of government policies. This can be achieved in a way that ensures that the public have the maximum confidence that their data are being used appropriately and that the safeguards of these data meet the highest international standards. The Administrative Data Research Centre Northern Ireland (ADRC NI) comprises our two largest universities, QUB and Ulster, and together with the National Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) forms, Administrative Data Research NI (ADR NI). Over the last investment period, in collaboration with government bodies and the voluntary and community sectors, we have raised the profile of administrative data research, established the first All-Party Group on Policy and Public Data, created a forum for the people via the NI Public Data Panel,  and widened access to administrative datasets in NI, enabling our researchers undertake a range of projects that have informed government strategies, policy and practice. We have increased the number of researchers both in academia and government able to manipulate and analyse these large and complex datasets required to undertake this type of research. While the primary aim for ADRC NI over the next investment period (2026-2031) is to maintain the confidence of the different data custodians and publics in the use of administrative data for research for public good, our renewed focus will align with the five strategic objectives and four priorities of ADR UK 2.0 [strategic objectives to (i) drive research for public good, (ii) increase available data for research, (iii) improve research access and support, (iv) increase sustainability and efficiency and (v) build public trust; and priorities focusing on (i) more systematic and efficient linking of health, (ii) better access to economic data (iii) advancing AI technology and (iv) smoothing the researcher journey]. We will build on ADRC NI’s existing portfolio and integrate new admin data approaches, new data assets and new partners from disciplines such as Economics, Planetary Health and AI. We will undertake a portfolio of world-class research projects at both NI and UK level, developed, in collaboration with our NISRA partners, to be responsive to the 2024-2027 NI Programme for Government (NIPfG). Our portfolio comprises six distinct Work Packages (WP) with a focus on WP1: Underserved Groups. WP2: Enhancing Health Data, WP3: Education, WP4: Environment, WP5: Poverty & Inequalities and WP6: AI, with two Cross Cutting Themes of CCT1: Economics and CCT2: Mental Health. A major objective for the ADRC NI will be to foster commitment from the NI government to increase access to and use of administrative data to help maximise the potential of administrative data as a rich resource for evidence-based policy making and evaluation.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-03

Chiplet-Guard is a pioneering research initiative addressing the security challenges of chiplet-based computing architectures. As the demand for high performance and energy efficiency grows, traditional monolithic System-on-Chip (SoC) designs face physical and economic limitations. Chiplets, which consist of multiple dies integrated on a single substrate, offer a scalable solution by allowing different process technologies to be used for different components. This new architecture is being rapidly adopted by the industry, with standards like Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) enabling interoperability among various vendors. However, the modular and heterogeneous nature of chiplet-based systems introduces new security vulnerabilities and attack surfaces, necessitating a proactive approach to security. The Challenge: Current security paradigms and malware detection methods, primarily designed for monolithic chips, are inadequate for chiplet-based systems. These systems are vulnerable to complex attacks that exploit their modular nature, such as malware offloading and cross-component threats that evade traditional detection mechanisms. Existing hardware-based malware detectors (HMDs) typically monitor a single component, like the CPU, leaving other parts of the system exposed. There is a critical need for a holistic security framework capable of detecting and responding to threats across the entire chiplet ecosystem. Aims and Objectives: Chiplet-Guard aims to develop a comprehensive security framework specifically tailored for chiplet-based architectures. The project has four main objectives: New Malware Threats in Chiplets: Identify and characterize the new types of malware threats unique to chiplet systems, focusing on how these threats exploit the heterogeneity and complexity of these architectures. AI-based Global System Security Monitoring (AI-GSM): Develop a global, robust AI-driven security monitoring system that integrates data from all chiplets to detect and mitigate security threats effectively. Architectural Support for Efficient Security: Create hardware-aware security mechanisms that facilitate secure communication and mutual trust among chiplets, ensuring efficient and interoperable threat detection. Demonstrator: Build a proof-of-concept system to showcase the proposed security solutions, validate the effectiveness of the Chiplet-Guard framework, and demonstrate real-world applicability. Potential Applications and Benefits: The Chiplet-Guard project promises significant advancements in cybersecurity for next-generation computing platforms. By addressing the specific security needs of chiplet-based architectures, the project will contribute to safer and more resilient computing systems across various sectors, including industrial IoT, connected health, and critical infrastructure. The development of a global security monitoring approach will enhance threat detection capabilities and provide a template for future security frameworks in modular computing systems. The outcomes of this research will not only protect sensitive data and systems but also pave the way for new standards and policies in hardware security, influencing both industry practices and regulatory frameworks. Conclusion: Chiplet-Guard's research is timely and essential, aligning with global cybersecurity priorities and addressing a critical gap in the security of modern computing architectures. The project’s success will position the UK as a leader in chiplet technology innovation, with widespread benefits for academia, industry, and public policy. The initiative will ensure that chiplet-based systems are secure by design, safeguarding future generations of computing platforms from evolving cyber threats.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-02

I am an evolutionary biologist and my overarching goal is to advance our understanding of antibiotic resistance evolution in the context of the microbiome. Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat. Already resistant infections are estimated to cause at least 1 million deaths per year, and this number is predicted to rise to 10 million by 2050. Our understanding of how antibiotics work is typically based on experiments in the lab where bacterial pathogens are exposed to antibiotics in isolation. This research has allowed us to build a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms by which resistance to antibiotics can evolve, but does not consider a crucial feature of microbial ecology - bacterial pathogens rarely exist in isolation, but are typically surrounded by other microbes (i.e. the microbiome). Microbes existing in the same space will interact, such as through competition for resources and space, and the exchange of metabolites, genetic material, and signalling molecules. My goal is to understand how these interactions between species shape the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens. I will combine approaches from microbial ecology and evolutionary biology to answer two major questions over the course of my fellowship: (1) When and how does antibiotic resistance change the outcome of species interactions (WP1 + WP2)? and (2) When and how do species interactions shape the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens (WP3)? My project sits at the interface of fundamental and clinical scientific domains. To answer these questions, I will use the World Health Organisation high priority pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the context of the respiratory microbiome as my model system. This infection niche (the lungs) drives a significant burden of antibiotic resistance and associated mortality. I will leverage the use of experimental approaches that will allow me to understand the interactions between species in a mechanistic way. These will include assays that I have previously developed to link specific resistance mutations with changes in the invasion ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa into respiratory microbes, along with adaptive laboratory evolution experiments in which the ability to continuously monitor outputs can allow us to dissect selection dynamics at high resolution. This work will reveal fundamental mechanisms and drivers of antibiotic resistance in the context of the microbiome, and my end goal is to apply this knowledge to generate new and innovative approaches to tackle antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens based on manipulating species interactions.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Foundation industries (cement, steel, glass, ammonia etc) are classified as hard-to-abate sectors due to the inherent high temperature processes. Decarbonization of industry is technically possible through a combination of technical solutions, the optimum mix of which will vary widely between sectors and regions. Deep decarbonization technologies such as application of alternative carbon neutral fuels and carbon capture are essential to achieve the target of net zero by 2050 in the EU. The project aims to evaluate, develop and demonstrate the advanced and emerging technologies for sustainable energy transition and industrial deep decarbonization. Firstly, the project attempts to remove the barrier associated with high operational and infrastructure costs incurred by the traditional carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology applying aqueous scrubbing. The project also evaluates and justifies the potential of a negative CO2 emission solution by combining CCUS with biomass derived carbon neutral fuels (BECCS). In addition, the project aims to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the application of ammonia in selected industrial processes as an alternative carbon neutral fuel to replace fossil fuels. The project attempts to apply a wide range of research methods at different scales from microscopic material design to laboratory scale testing and pilot scale trials, and finally to industrial scale deployments supported by the industrial partners. Multi-scale modellings such as reaction kinetics modelling, CFD modelling and process modelling will be performed for system optimization. Techno-Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment on carbon footprint of the full supply chain will be conducted for all three above-mentioned decarbonization pathways. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven approach will be used to predict the dynamic CO2 emissions from industrial sites under scenarios using different combinations of renewable fuels with CCUS.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2026 · 2026-01

Helminth Parasites Significantly Undermine Eco-Health and Productivity Parasitic helminths (flatworms and roundworms) inflict the most prevalent infections of humans, plants and animals, impacting on planetary health, agricultural productivity, and food security. Globally, the economic burden of helminth parasites amounts to billions of pounds annually through increased mortality and morbidity, reduced productivity and anthelmintic costs. In the UK and Ireland, gastrointestinal (GI) parasitic roundworms are among the most economically important livestock infections, costing ~€16 m/year, while flatworm infections, such as Fascioliasis, profoundly impact livestock health and welfare resulting in UK productivity losses of ~£300 million. Furthermore, many helminth parasites are zoonotic pathogens responsible for chronic, debilitating infections of ~1 billion humans, predominantly in Low-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). We rely almost entirely on a limited range of anthelmintics to control parasitic helminths however sustainable helminth control is threatened by increasing drug resistance pressures and will be exacerbated by climate change which will influence parasite and vector distribution and transmission dynamics. A step-change is urgently required to address local and global helminth disease burdens, in order to assure sustainable agriculture and meet global productivity demands. The UK is an Untapped Hub of Helminth Expertise Historically the UK has made major contributions to global helminth research driving better understanding of complex helminth parasite biology to shape improvements in therapeutics, diagnostics, technology innovation, training, education and policy. Indeed, the volume of publications, grant income, international collaborations, and centers of scientific excellence demonstrate that the UK is a global leader in helminth parasitology research, with over 10,000 publications produced since 2000, representing ~10% of global outputs (Scopus).  The diversity in UK helminth parasitology expertise is multi-disciplinary spanning molecular, microbial, immunological, ecological and veterinary science underscoring the scope of UK expertise in this area. While advances have been made in each area, for example the genome and transcriptome resources generated at the Sanger Institute, working more collectively and employing a true interdisciplinary approach will greatly progress knowledge and solutions, now and for the next generation of helminth researchers. To promote the UK position as a global leader in helminth parasitology research and innovation we must unite UK-based expertise and centres of excellence to advance shared research goals. Helminth Eco-Health Hub UK: Strengthening UK Global Leadership in Helminth Parasitology We will establish the Helminth Eco-Health Hub UK to unite multi-disciplinary scientists across disciplines, expertise, and career-stages to drive innovative research and impact in helminth parasitology. The Hub will: (i) advance scientific knowledge to address global helminth disease and UN Sustainable Development Goals; (ii) train next-generation researchers; (iii) enhance researcher mobility; (iv) engage stakeholders, and (v) influence policy. It will align with the UKRI Strategic Delivery Plan 2025 by integrating diverse multidisciplinary teams across renowned research institutes to harness the capability to deliver world-leading science, innovation and impact. The Helminth Eco-Health Hub UK will unite UK-based expertise in helminth parasitology to address global helminth disease challenges and showcase UK leadership.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-12

Many families in Northern Ireland face daily challenges accessing affordable, nutritious food, especially those with young children. Rising living costs, limited cooking skills, and poor access to fresh ingredients make it difficult to prepare healthy meals at home. These barriers contribute to poor diets, with high levels of processed food consumption and low intake of fruits and vegetables. The result is a growing public health crisis: obesity affects two-thirds of adults and over a quarter of children, while dental disease remains the leading cause of child hospital admissions. Nutrition in the first three years of life is critical, shaping lifelong health, development, and eating habits. Yet nearly half of toddlers’ calories in the UK come from ultra-processed foods. Existing support systems, such as food banks, social supermarkets, and schemes like Healthy Start, offer some relief but are often inconsistent, carry stigma, and struggle to reach all eligible families. Commercial meal kit services cater to busy professionals, not families with young children. There is a clear gap for a dignified, family-focused solution that supports healthy eating in everyday homes, not just during crisis, but as a long-term, sustainable approach. Our project aims to fill this gap by developing a membership-based meal kit service co-designed with families facing barriers to healthy eating. Subsidised memberships will be available for low-income households, while others pay a standard rate. Each kit includes fresh, locally sourced ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes tailored to the nutritional needs of young children. The recipes are developed using biosciences and behavioural research to ensure meals support cognitive and physical development during early childhood. In addition to the kits, families will access a digital platform offering engaging, evidence-based content. This includes short videos, practical cooking tips, budgeting advice, and guidance on pregnancy and early years nutrition. The platform is designed to build confidence, skills, and food literacy in a supportive, non-judgmental way. Our approach is grounded in both nutrition and behavioural science, bridging biosciences and social sciences to create long-term, evidence-based change. By working with local suppliers, we aim to reduce food waste, repurpose surplus produce, and strengthen local food systems. We are also exploring partnerships with public health commissioners, employers (such as the NHS and supermarkets), and community organisations to ensure long-term viability and scalability. The potential benefits are wide-reaching. Families will gain better access to nutritious food, improved health outcomes, and greater confidence in cooking and budgeting. Children will benefit from healthier diets, better development, and improved well-being. Community partners will see reduced pressure on emergency food services, while public services may benefit from long-term cost savings through prevention and improved health. Ultimately, this project offers a scalable, sustainable model for tackling food insecurity and health inequality, one that aligns with UKRI’s priorities for fairer, healthier, and more resilient food systems.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-12

Background Enterobacter species are opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide due to multiple antibiotic resistance that also extends to last-resort antibiotics; they belong to the ESKAPE pathogens, a group of bacterial species highlighted by the WHO as the most dangerous pathogens worldwide. Surprisingly, very little is known about the infection biology of Enterobacter species. Preliminary work To bridge this knowledge gap, we have investigated the intracellular trafficking of a subset of Enterobacter clinical isolates, including colistin-resistant strains, within human macrophages, and determined the macrophage response to the intracellular infection. Phagocytosis of 11 clinical isolates representing E. cloacae, E. bugandensis, E. kobei, E. xiangfangensis, E. roggenkampii, E. hoffmannii, and E. ludwigii was investigated in primary human macrophages. Intracellular bacterial trafficking was followed by confocal ?uorescence microscopy; intracellular bacterial replication was assessed by bacterial enumeration and a ?uorescence dilution approach to follow bacterial cell division over time. Macrophage cell cytotoxicity was investigated by quantifying the release of lactate dehydrogenase during infection and by determining cleavage of the proinflammatory markers caspase-1, gasdermin D and pro-interleukin-1ß. Our preliminary results indicate that the Enterobacter isolates did not replicate in human macrophages, but exhibited long-term survival within a modi?ed late phagolysosome compartment. Survival did not correlate with colistin resistance, lipopolysaccharide modi?cations, or bacterial pathogenicity in the Galleria mellonella infection model. Remarkably, intracellular bacteria induced low levels of macrophage cytotoxicity that correlated with absence of cleavage of proinflammatory markers in infected macrophages. Hypothesis Since clinical isolates from Enterobacter species isolates can persist without replication inside human macrophages with minimal effects on cell viability and inflammation we hypothesise that these bacteria can hideout within macrophages to escape innate immune responses and antibiotics. Aims To address this hypothesis, this proposal will investigate human macrophage-Enterobacter interactions by pursuing 3 aims: (i)detailed characterisation of the Enterobacter-containing vacuole(EcV) in macrophages by state-of-the-art confocal microscopy. (ii)identification of genes required for intramacrophage survival by high-throughput screens(TnSeq) and a candidate gene-based approach by targeted gene deletions and functional analyses. (iii)elucidating how macrophages respond to intracellular Enterobacter infection and how is their cell death downregulated using metabolic analyses, FACS and global transcriptomics. All experiments will involve relevant clinical isolates of different Enterobacter species obtained from the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy(BSAC) collection and primary human macrophages from blood donors. Timeliness and Impact Our research has implications in the clinical outcome of patients that cannot readily clear Enterobacter infections, which can potentially lead to prolonged intracellular survival and infection relapse. We anticipate our research will lead to the discovery of bacterial gene targets and macrophage pathways that can be exploited to design host-directed therapeutic interventions to complement conventional antimicrobial treatments.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-12

This project interrogates the emergence of inequality and the economic basis of rulership in early medieval, kin-based societies, moving beyond ethno-centric frameworks by undertaking multi-proxy and comparative analyses of the environment and agrarian regimes of major royal landscapes across Britain and Ireland. This project will revolutionise understandings of strategies of rulership and governance, through a fundamental reassessment of the emergence of inequality and its implication in political production. It does so through integrated case studies of five major first-millennium AD royal landscapes in Britain and Ireland within wider context. These occupy seminal places within ethnically-centred but now outmoded models for the origins and functioning of Northwest-European kingdoms, commonly analysed within isolated and diametrically opposed ‘Celtic’/‘Germanic’ historiographies. Deploying novel approaches to their origins, settings, regionality, landscape context and diachronic transformation, we shift emphasis towards scale and scale-change within regime and community relationships, and the associated economic and ecological basis of rulership within emergent polities, to fundamentally redress previous biases, and present novel, empirically-grounded analyses. Governance and its ecological impacts are a fundamental concern of all societies, past and present. In a contemporary context, governmental practices are foundational to the climate crisis and implicated in rising inequalities worldwide, but also central to resolving these challenges. Yet, despite these concepts and their definition becoming acute concerns for various disciplines in recent decades, and featuring heavily in analysis of early medieval polities, rulership or assembly practice, there remains no comprehensive assessment of the ecological foundations of emerging inequality and its relationship to the historical production of governance. Much as environmental agencies have become acutely prominent in analyses of societal collapse and social-ecological change, the tendency towards environmental determinism may be countered through the adoption of long-term frameworks and contextual analysis, where, for example, anti-fragility frameworks, local resilience, or the role of catastrophe in social innovation have been increasingly emphasised. In this context, much can be gained from landscape-centred analysis of the ecological contexts of rulership within comparative and contextual frameworks. Because these relationships form a nexus at the heart of extractive and exploitative regimes, they are centrally implicated in the emergence and transformation of strategies of governance and inequality. We harness recent methodological advances to address governance and rulership within early medieval polities and their ecological and economic contexts. This will be accomplished through five interrelated case studies of seminal royal centres in early medieval Britain and Ireland: Milfield, Rendlesham (Anglo-Saxon), Llangorse (British), Dunadd (Scottish) Navan Fort (Irish). Through these investigatons, we move beyond the compartmentalized approaches of previous studies, to directly compare empirically rich and multifaceted evidence for regime and community relationships across different scales. We utilise targeted excavation alongside large-scale remote sensing of entire landscapes to build ‘thick’ and mutli-scalar understanding of the built environment of royal places and governance, combined with novel palaeoecolgy, bio-geochemistry, and sedaDNA approaches to human-animal-environment relationships. Building high-resolution, highly constrained chronologies for environmental, biological, landscape and agrarian change, we will narrate close-grained analysis of the emergence and transformation of inequality through practices of governance and political reproduction.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-12

The knowledge gap–Treating infections by Gram-negative bacteria is becoming increasingly difficult since these bacteria often show intrinsic high-level resistance to virtually all clinically approved antibiotics. Compounding this problem, many bacteria display heteroresistance, a phenomenon where subpopulations of seemingly isogenic bacteria exhibit a range of susceptibilities to a particular antibiotic, resulting in ineffective microbial killing. Bacterial exposure to sublethal antibiotic concentrations elicit adaptive bacterial stress responses, enhancing antibiotic resistance and tolerance. Our research has revealed that these adaptive responses occur against bactericidal antibiotics, irrespective of their chemical nature. We have discovered that under conditions of bactericidal stress bacteria hyperproduce a lipocalin and its associated cytochrome (BcnA/LcoA), and polyamines, all of which contribute to increased antibiotic resistance and heteroresistance. A major stressor resulting from antibiotic action, is membrane-lipid peroxidation, which destroys lipids in the bacterial membrane eliciting adaptive bacterial responses that result in even higher antibiotic resistance. Therefore, elucidating the fundamental biological question of how the double-membraned Gram-negatives protect their outer membranes from lipid peroxidation may reveal novel ways to overcome resistance and heteroresistance. Our discovery–Our research supported by BBSRC BB/S006281/1, recently published in PlosBiology, described a hitherto unknown evolutionary conserved peroxidation detoxification system that protects the bacterial cell envelope from lipid peroxidation and plays a key role in intrinsic resistance against multiple classes of antibiotics. This system comprises three proteins which are conserved in all Gram-negative bacteria: the BcnA lipocalin (putative scavenger of lipid peroxyl radicals), the LcoA membrane cytochrome-b561, and PsrA, a cytoplasmic aldehyde reductase. New preliminary data show that BcnA binds quinone (Ubi8), and structural modelling predicts that BcnA and LcoA interact forming a complex. This information underpins our working model indicating that BcnA/LcoA form a novel cyclic redox system in which the BcnA-bound Ubi8 reduces oxidised lipid species by becoming itself oxidised, while LcoA interacts with BcnA to reduce Ubi8, recycling the redox scavenger form of BcnA. The challenge of this proposal is to elucidate the detailed mechanism of BcnA/LcoA function and the nature of membrane lipids targeted by peroxidation. Aims–The nature of the peroxidised lipids in the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane remains a longstanding unanswered question. However, using specialised fluorescent probes to image both peroxidation and the distribution of certain classes of lipids called anionic phospholipids, we showed that peroxidation and lipid accumulation predominates at the bacterial poles and the septa (sites of cell division), both areas of membrane curvature known to be rich in anionic phospholipids. These data suggest a bacterial response to increase the production of anionic lipids, likely to replenish oxidised membrane lipids at these sites. Employing state-of-the-art technologies with robust research methodologies underpinned by published and new preliminary data, together with the expertise of key collaborators, this innovative research program will investigate two fundamental biological questions: (1)How do the LcoA cytochrome and BcnA can combat lipid peroxidation? (2) What are the lipids targeted by peroxidation in Gram-negative bacteria? Impact–Elucidating these questions will help us understand the role of peroxidation in the context of antibiotic resistance, aligning with the BBSRC priorities of "understanding the rules of life" and "research to combat antimicrobial resistance". This new biology may ultimately bring societal benefit to the economy and health by leveraging the discovery of novel molecules to maximise the action of antibiotics through interference with bacterial protection against peroxidative stress and/or acceleration of bacterial lipid oxidative damage.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-11

Quantum optimal control techniques have revolutionised the manipulation of complex quantum systems, enabling precise control over their constituents. This control is essential for applications like quantum-enhanced sensing, where quantum systems provide the ultimate precision in measuring tiny signals such as magnetic fields, accelerations, and frequencies. By leveraging quantum properties like entanglement and coherence, these probes can achieve sensitivities beyond the reach of classical systems, demonstrating a clear quantum advantage.   Despite significant advancements, challenges remain in fully understanding and exploiting the limits of quantum control. This project will focus on enhancing controllability and its application to quantum sensing, particularly addressing the major challenges: complexity, scalability, and implementability. The project follows a "bottom-up" approach with three main objectives:   Objective 1: Tradeoff between controllability and precision in few-body noisy quantum sensors. Quantum sensors interacting with their environment quickly lose their quantum properties. Optimal control techniques can speed up the sensing process to mitigate this, but require additional resources like energy and entanglement. This objective explores which resources are most crucial for achieving quantum-enhanced sensitivity while minimising resource consumption. Developing a quantitative framework for this tradeoff will help identify the most important requirements for accurate quantum sensors.   Objective 2: Unravelling the synergy between scalability and controllability for critical quantum sensors. Controlling individual quantum entities is well-studied, but many-body systems introduce complexities that hinder straightforward application of existing techniques. This objective examines how collective effects, system size, and dimensionality impact the controllability of quantum systems used as sensors. By exploring diverse systems with emergent behaviours, the research aims to uncover strategies for effective control in many-body quantum sensors.   Objective 3: Ultracold atoms sensors: a route for a practical quantum advantage. Ultracold atoms, exhibiting quantum features like condensation and superfluidity, can be manipulated to achieve highly correlated states. In collaboration with a cold atoms experimental group, this objective investigates how to achieve quantum-enhanced sensors with ultracold atoms using optimal control techniques, ensuring robustness against environmental effects. The goal is to design and simulate realistic implementations of quantum gas sensors based on atomic impurities that can be practically realised in current cold atom experiments.   Through these objectives, the research seeks to advance the understanding of quantum control and its application to develop scalable, efficient quantum sensing devices.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-11

Lay abstract: 550 words In our body, cells communicate through chemical signals that allow them to respond to their environment and neighbouring cells. This signalling is essential for cell specialization and organ formation. Signals are transmitted through molecular steps to the DNA, where they control how genes are turned ON and OFF to instruct cell behaviour. "WNT”s are key signalling molecules that play essential roles in normal development by mediating communication between cells. WNT-signalling is used by many species to guide tissue formation during both embryonic development and adult tissues. Given its significance, it's not surprising that WNT-signalling is also one of the most frequently activated pathways in cancer. However, there is a fundamental gap in our knowledge about the molecular steps by which WNT signals control gene expression. Understanding these molecular steps is key to understand how tissues are formed and can also reveal how dysregulated WNT-signalling drives tumour formation. We’ve discovered that a key protein in the WNT signalling pathway, called GSK3, affects certain proteins involved in DNA regulation, known as the CHD4-NuRD complex. GSK3 controls this by tagging the CHD4-NuRD complex with a chemical modification called phosphorylation. This chemical modification changes how the CHD4-NuRD complex controls the expression of target genes. We have studied this mechanism in stem cells, which can specialize into any cell type in our body. We found that the GSK3-CHD4 pathway specifically controls how stem cells specialize into the endoderm lineage, which ultimately forms tissues like the gut, liver, and pancreas. These observations lead us to hypothesize that GSK3-CHD4 molecular axis plays an important role in stem cells. Thus, this research proposal aims to find out the molecular mechanisms by which the novel GSK3-CHD4-NuRD pathway regulates gene expression and cell identity in stem cells. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for understanding normal development, tissue regeneration, and cancer, where GSK3/WNT signalling and CHD4-NuRD proteins play a key role. Firstly, we will use various methods to activate WNT-signalling and find out whether WNT signals directly influence the phosphorylation of CHD4-NuRD complex and whether this is specific to stem cells. These experiments will also give us a broad view of all the proteins that change their phosphorylation tag in response to WNT signals. Secondly, we will use advanced genomics methods to study how GSK3/WNT-signalling controls how CHD4-NuRD complex binds to DNA in stem cells and during endoderm specialization. Exploring this process is important to better understand how genes are silenced by the CHD4-NuRD complex. Lastly, we will look at other proteins that work with the CHD4-NuRD complex as stem cells mature and see how GSK3/WNT signalling affect these interactions. This will help us discover new proteins that are involved in specialization of stem cells into endoderm cells. This research will fill a major gap in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression in response to GSK3/WNT-signalling, which is of huge relevance to our understanding of health and disease. Thisfundamental knowledge could also have implications for improving the treatment of disorders associated with faulty WNT-signalling.            

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-11

Fasciola hepatica, usually termed “the temperate liver fluke”, is a worldwide problem for agriculture and impacts 17 million people as a neglected tropical disease. Infections, known as fasciolosis, damage ruminant animal production [1], and have been reported across Europe including the UK [2]. It is estimated that fasciolosis causes annual economic losses in the UK of £110 million [3], and across Europe £524 million [3]. Schistosome parasites currently infect hundreds of millions of people and cause the chronic liver disease schistosomiasis. Despite high re-infection rates in the millions, treatment relies upon the single drug, praziquantel. Similarly for fascioliasis the situation is precarious, with reliance on a small portfolio of flukicides to which resistance is growing. In the last 15 years, to better understand both helminth pathogens and find new interventional targets, genomic sequencing and functional genomics have been key tools for researchers. Despite efforts, many helminth genomes, including schistosomes and Fasciola remain under-annotated. The reliance of predicted functionality particularly limits new control target discovery for these important diseases. Functional genomics of the parasite itself is used extensively for the identification and assessment of potential anthelmintic targets. These approaches seek to link potential parasite gene targets, most selected from predicted importance, with a measurable phenotype incompatible with parasite survival. The reliance of initial in silico methods is a major limitation to identify parasite genes of potential interest. Since large portions of helminth genomes have no substantial homologous identity, representing an unmet potential resides in not considering these novel parasite-specific genes. Current approaches fail to consider the entire helminth gene sets, biasing target identification. We propose here to invert this low efficiency approach. Instead, we will start with a clear detrimental phenotype in the single-cell yeast model and introduce parasite genes that can induce a rescue or protective response in the yeast. We have already begun to use a yeast/schistosome-gene model; an approach not previously used for any helminth gene characterisation. In the proposed project, yeast expression libraries containing comprehensive representation of schistosome and Fasciola cDNA, will be used in a range of lethal/rescue screens of phenotypically altered yeast cells. From this yeast screen, novel targets will then be evaluated in the parasites using more traditional methods. As a proof of concept, calcium homeostasis disruption as a lethal yeast phenotype was selected for rescue through the introduction of schistosome genes. Surviving colonies sequencing identified a small range (8) of schistosome genes, including those encoding eggshell proteins. This potential role of these gene in modulating calcium homeostasis has not been reported before. We are currently further screening additional lethal yeast phenotypes for schistosome gene rescue, and have demonstrated helminth genes associated with rescue to temperature, H2O2 and EtOH stress. In the proposed project an expansion of library coverage will be performed. Libraries will be improved through reconstruction and expansion using additional schistosome lifecycle stages, as well as new Fasciola transcriptomic sources. Yeast is a well-established model system for drug discovery screening for human targets [4]. Our project will establish a novel yeast-based platform for helminth pathogens. As an unbiased, functional eukaryotic genomic screen, our data will both accelerate functional pipelines and reduce the initial labour-intensive reliance on parasites obtained from mammalian models. In advancing gene annotations of pathogenic helminth genomes, drug/vaccine discovery efforts will be enhanced. See Approach Section for references.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-10

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are becoming increasingly common in everyday technologies—from smartphones and smart homes to healthcare devices and autonomous vehicles. These systems often rely on powerful hardware accelerators to process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. However, as these accelerators become more complex, they also become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. This project focuses on a specific type of hardware called a Network-on-Chip (NoC), which connects different parts of an AI accelerator. While NoCs improve performance, they can unintentionally leak sensitive information through patterns in timing and data traffic—known as side-channel attacks. These attacks can allow malicious actors to reverse-engineer AI models or extract private data, even when the system appears secure. Our research aims to understand how these side-channel leaks occur in NoC-based AI systems and to design new hardware features that prevent them. We will use advanced simulation tools to model these attacks and test potential countermeasures, such as randomised data routing and secure memory placement. The project is a collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Maryland, combining UK and US expertise in hardware security. It will produce open-source tools, design guidelines, and secure hardware prototypes that can be used by chip designers and researchers worldwide. By making AI hardware more secure, this project supports safer applications in critical areas like healthcare, defence, and finance. It also contributes to the UK’s and US’s strategic goals in building trustworthy and resilient semiconductor technologies.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-10

Introduction: 6G, expected in the 2030s, aims to transform the communications landscape, merging the digital and physical worlds. 6G devices will evolve beyond mere communication tools, becoming integral to network infrastructure, driving data exchange, and decision-making. 6G will radically enhance connectivity, envisioning a more human-friendly, sustainable, and efficient society. However, it also presents substantial challenges. 6G will operate at higher frequencies to handle massive amounts of data from a surge of connected devices. These frequencies - more susceptible to interference from obstacles or atmospheric conditions - introduce unstable communication links. This is concerning as our reliance on clear communication grows. Since 6G devices will be making decisions on their own, they will need to communicate extremely reliably to enable critical, immersive, and omnipresent services. Crucially, as 6G integrates into our society, we should be able to trust the decisions that these intelligent devices make on our behalf. These challenges must be solved. Moving towards 6G requires transitioning from rigid mathematical models – found in traditional communication systems – to more agile, high-dimensional modelling techniques with real-time adaptation. Machine learning (ML) is key, offering flexibility by letting data, which describes the system and its performance, drive decision-making. By embracing ML, we can overcome past limitations, effectively adapting to 6G's dynamic nature for seamless communication and problem-solving. To harness ML's full potential in 6G, understanding how to exploit data to build well-optimised and reliable approaches is crucial. Current training strategies must evolve, with [9] emphasising integration of communication system domain knowledge into training procedures. Supporting this, our research in [10] created custom learning methods that incorporate reliability metrics in ML training to align model optimisation with real-world operational benchmarks. It was demonstrated that these tailored learning algorithms can bolster wireless system reliability by 100x compared to standard strategies. Aims and Objectives: This project aims to design ML algorithms tailored to enhance 6G wireless system reliability and apply these advancements on 6G devices, showcasing real-world progress. The key objectives include: Designing wireless system models tailored for 6G networks and amenable to machine intelligence (e.g., integrating intelligence into multi-user networks and existing cellular technologies). Developing novel ML solutions and custom training methods for each studied system to improve key communication reliability indicators. Understanding the calibration error (how the ML model's predicted and real-world performance align) associated with the developed ML solutions, ensuring accurate reflection of expected wireless system performance. Demonstrating real-world applicability of these ML solutions by deploying them on devices, e.g., mobile phones. Sharing and promoting research impact and contributions. Applications and benefits: Academia: Positions the host institution and academic partners (King’s College London, and Aalborg University Denmark) at the forefront of 6G research, gaining insights into technical/ethical considerations of ML. Industry: Samsung R&D Institute UK and Dhali Holdings Ltd benefit from research findings and innovations. Potential for job creation and economic growth. They receive a broader audience and business opportunities. Policymakers: Contributes to the UK’s Wireless Infrastructure Strategy and Industrial Strategy. Provides policymakers valuable insights for informed decision-making. Promotes project outcome adoption, furthering societal and economic growth. Public: More reliable wireless communication for essential services and emergencies. Focus on environmental sustainability, improving quality of life for various communities. Economy: Strengthens UK's digital communications framework. Positions UK as a global leader in 6G. Fosters job creation and socio-economic benefits in the UK.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-10

During early development, pluripotent stem cells have a remarkable ability to differentiate into any specialized cell type in the body. As these cells differentiate, they change how they use food and make energy, a process called metabolism. Metabolic pathways supply essential metabolites for chemical modifications of chromatin, ultimately affecting gene expression. However, there is a fundamental gap in our knowledge about the molecular mechanisms through which cell metabolism affects chromatin modifications in pluripotent stem cells and how these processes are coordinated during early development. Understanding these mechanisms is important for comprehending normal development and can provide new insights into certain diseases associated with faulty metabolism in newborns. We recently discovered that pluripotent stem cells have an unusual metabolism and, unlike adult cells, use a specific nutrient called betaine to drive their metabolism. Notably, betaine participates in a specific biochemical pathway called one-carbon metabolism, which produces key chemicals involved in chromatin modification. We also found that this unusual betaine metabolism is activated by a gene called Spic, leading to elevated levels of a specific chromatin modification called H3R17me2a. We have noticed that the level of Spic and the activity of betaine metabolism decrease rapidly during stem cell differentiation. In addition, we observed that in the absence of Spic, pluripotent cells cannot maintain proper chromatin modifications, resulting in premature stem cell differentiation. These observations lead us to hypothesize that betaine metabolism plays an important role in controlling cell identity in pluripotent stem cells. Thus, this proposal aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms through which Spic and betaine metabolism control the metabolic-epigenetic crosstalk in pluripotent stem cells. Firstly, we will determine whether pluripotent cells are able to function normally when betaine metabolism is blocked. These experiments will uncover the functions of betaine metabolism in regulating gene expression, self-renewal, and differentiation in pluripotent stem cells. Secondly, we will investigate the molecular steps by which Spic and betaine metabolism control the genomic deposition of H3R17me2a. While H3R17me2a has been associated with pluripotency in the early embryo, its precise role remains unknown. These experiments will provide the first genome-wide characterization of H3R17me2a in pluripotent stem cells. Thirdly, the absence of certain nutrients during pregnancy or mutations in one-carbon metabolism can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders in newborns and potentially affecting their growth into adulthood. However, impact on early human development is not well understood. Notably, betaine supplementation is a proven treatment for newborns with some of these conditions. Here, we will utilize human pluripotent stem cells to model how the most common mutations in one-carbon metabolism impact neural differentiation and cellular metabolism. Furthermore, we will study how activation of betaine metabolism can rescue these defects. This research is particularly timely, as it addresses a significant gap in our understanding of the metabolic requirements of pluripotent cells and the molecular mechanisms linking cell metabolism to chromatin modifications in stem cells. This knowledge is essential for comprehending early development and optimizing media formulations for stem cell culture and IVF. One-carbon metabolism is a central biochemical pathway, and maternal vitamin B deficiencies or mutations affecting one-carbon metabolism can lead to metabolic disorders in newborns, associated with neurological, visual, and cardiovascular complications. Thus, this research has potential implications for improving the treatment of disorders associated with faulty metabolism.  

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-10

The graphic novel, alongside comics and digital content, has become especially popular amongst today’s Sino-French creators. This current generation combines different media in ways that demonstrate a progression from the verbal and visual techniques of their predecessors, while still promoting intercultural understanding and dialogue. Crucially, these Sino-French graphic novelists are working to expose and challenge the systemic racism of institutions and individual instances of discrimination far more overtly than previous generations of immigrants, who tended to embody and accept the myth of the Chinese as a model minority. To better understand the interactions between sign systems and the intercultural context in which these creators’ experiences are situated, this project analyses five semiotic modes (i.e. the systems creating meaning) – linguistic, visual, audio, gestural and spatial – in the portrayal of identity in seven autobiographical and autofictional graphic novels, published in French between 2011 and 2023 by female, Sinophone writers/illustrators. ‘Sino(phone)’ is used here, as elsewhere in the field, to refer beyond a particular political entity to a broad geographical and cultural sphere, encompassing not only continental China but also Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. Twenty-first century communication has been greatly impacted by visual images and the relationship between multiple meaning-making systems in print and digital media. At the same time, globalization has increased the encounters between people from different geographical regions and cultural backgrounds. Consequently, it has become increasingly important to understand and analyse the representation of meaning within and across both modes and cultures. Kress uses ‘multimodality’ (2000, Multimodality: Challenges to Thinking about Language, p.153) to acknowledge the fact that ‘language is no longer the only or even the central semiotic mode’ and he emphasizes the interplay between different representational and communicative modes, for instance between images and spoken/written words. This focus informs the three key research questions structuring the study. Firstly, how can a multimodal approach help us to understand the role that modes play in communicating complex issues relating to identity in Sino-French graphic novels? Secondly, what challenges relating to representation and knowledge are faced by Sino-French graphic novelists? Thirdly, in what ways do these works contribute to intercultural understanding and inclusivity? Recognising that graphic novels are adept at conveying difficult subject matter, personal experiences and social criticism, our project will analyse the relationships between modes that reveal racism, prejudice, stereotyping, language difficulties, financial hardship and non-belonging. It will explore how authors negotiate the conflict between writing in a dominant Western language and country while identifying strongly with a Sinophone culture, its history, traditions and mores. It also interrogates the possibility of cultural specificity within global comic studies. The ability of intercultural graphic forms to attract young audiences has led to studies examining the inclusion of graphic novels in primary and secondary school curricula to teach multiliteracy skills and develop awareness of other cultures. In this vein, the project investigates how graphic novels invite readers of all ages to stand with characters, thus assuming a position responsive to injustices, which helps to bridge fictional-real world divisions.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-10

Need for the research. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe, life-threatening condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs associated with impaired pulmonary endothelial-epithelial barriers, resulting in fluid accumulation in the distal airspaces, frequently accompanied by multi-system organ failure. ARDS continues to result in high mortality up to 30-40% and high costs related to prolonged hospital stays. The importance of ARDS has been emphasised by recent Covid-19 pandemic, where development of ARDS is one of the leading causes of mortality. ARDS pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated and there is no effective pharmacological treatment. Therefore, further research into the mechanisms of pathogenesis and novel therapies is needed. Summary of the proposed project. Senescence is a multi-functional cell fate, characterized by an irreversible cell-cycle arrest and a pro-inflammatory phenotype, commonly known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). SASP is characterized by an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix remodelling enzymes. These secretory molecules can facilitate the development of premature senescence in neighbouring cells. The accumulation of senescent cells overtime disrupts tissue structure and function. Intriguingly, many of ARDS triggering events lead to activation of cell signalling cascades that are linked to the premature senescence. Senescent alveolar epithelium is unable to repair injured tissue, while spread of senescence to neighbouring cells through SASP would amplify the progression of the disease.  Yet, little is known about senescence mechanisms in ARDS. Our pilot data show that inflammatory stimuli induce senescence in lung cells, while mitochondrial transfer mediated by extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) was able to reverse these effects. We also show that activation of p21 is critical for driving senescence phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. A clear knowledge gap exists regarding the link between premature epithelial cell senescence and  regulation of lung recovery, immune response and maladaptive remodelling in ARDS. In this proposal we plan to address this gap by investigating the cross-talk between premature senescence and alveolar epithelial function in ARDS and test novel therapeutic strategies based on engineered MSC EVs and isolated MSC mitochondria. We hypothesize that during the course of ARDS pulmonary epithelial cells develop pre-mature senescence which contributes to exacerbation of inflammation and tissue damage through secretion of SASP and targeting senescence pathways may be a promising therapeutic strategy.  To test this hypothesis we have formulated the following aims: Aim 1: To investigate the role of p21-driven epithelial senescence and SASP for severity of lung injury and modulation of immune response in vivo, using  conditional KO mice where p21 is specifically deleted in alveolar epthelial cells (SPC-p21 KO mice). Aim2: To investigate and test pathways involved in epithelial senescence and SASP in ARDS using   2D and 3D primary human pulmonary cell models in vitro.  Aim3: To test therapeutic strategies to alleviate senescence and reduce severity of lung injury. Value of the results. This research addresses an unmet clinical need by enhancing our understanding of ARDS and cellular aging, leading to innovative therapies. Beyond ARDS, the findings have broader implications for lung conditions like chronic obstractive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and sepsis as all these diseases are characterized by dysregulated inflammation. Ultimately, this project aims to benefit ARDS patients and ICU clinicians, improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of this devastating condition.

UKRI Gateway to Research · FY 2025 · 2025-09

From 1934 until the Nazi defeat in 1945, one of Britain’s most effective anti-fascist resistance networks operated out of the Café Vega, a vegetarian restaurant in London. Today, the luxury hotel occupying this site carries no plaques describing this history of resistance. This absence mirrors the fact that, to date, no focused study has detailed the history of the influential milieu of socialist exiles in interwar Britain connected to this restaurant, itself established in 1934 by a German refugee couple who, along with their staff and many of their patrons, were members of the important Internationaler Sozialistischer Kampfbund (ISK). Initially formed as a splinter from German social democratic currents, the ISK was a transnational anti-fascist network that remains under-researched. To resolve this gap, my project uncovers histories of the ISK - alongside their collaborators, friends and families – in Britain before and during the Second World War. By combining an innovative history of intimacy methodology with cutting-edge digital reconstruction, Europe Speaks will pioneer new ways of understanding how an exile community maintained networks of resistance during a pivotal moment in modern European history. Building on my track record as an early career historian specialising in the transnational history of interwar radicalism, this ambitious project will enhance my research, leadership, and engagement skills. Using a history of intimacy methodology sensitive to the importance of affect in determining political trajectories, I will illuminate personal bonds that facilitated consequential intellectual exchanges within the wider world of interwar anti-fascism. This methodological focus resonates with urgent contemporary needs: today, European cities once again host exiles fleeing autocracy and war. Like the interwar exile community, these diverse political groups must navigate complex relationships with states and citizens. I will also lead an innovative public engagement initiative transforming archival research into immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences through a digital reconstruction of the ISK's Café Vega. This project strand will develop my profile as a technologically skilled public historian. Based at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), the digital humanities strand of the project will transform the Centre for Public History (CPH) into a hub of collaboration between historians and technologists. I will develop interdisciplinary leadership experience by coordinating with two world-leading QUB centres: MediaLab, a centre for immersive technology research with a VR laboratory, and the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC), a hub of recording studios and expert staff. Leveraging my previous experience creating historical soundscapes, this ambitious digital humanities project will pioneer new ways of democratising historical research. Users will become active participants in historical investigation, discovering how an everyday space became a site of political resistance. This VR experience will catalyse new frameworks for public engagement with histories of political exile – frameworks adaptable by other scholars and heritage organisations. The project will have a wide range of beneficiaries. Journal articles arising from the project will enhance scholarly understandings of interwar European antifascism and the rapidly accelerating potential of digital public history. The public engagement framework I will develop through interdisciplinary project management will be applicable to heritage organisations, cultural sites, and educational institutions. Collaborations within QUB and with external institutions including the Wiener Holocaust Memorial Library will be mutually beneficial, enhancing the reputation of each stakeholder. Ultimately, this project will uncover an under-researched history while investigating and establishing frameworks for technologically ambitious and discipline-bridging public engagement.