Dr Elizabeth Laird DipStat(Open), BSc, PGCertHE, PhD, FHEA

Personal Statement

Current role:
Reader in Musculoskeletal Biology, University of Liverpool
Deputy Head of the Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, University of Liverpool

Previous roles:
Senior Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Biology, University of Liverpool
Lecturer in Orthopaedic Sciences, University of Liverpool
Post-doctoral Research Associate, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research

Qualifications:
PhD Biochemistry (Arthritis Research UK studentship), University of Manchester
Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Liverpool
BSc Hons (2:1) Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry, University of Nottingham
Diploma in Statistics, Open University

Research summary:
My research goals are to characterise the mechanisms of collagenous tissue development, repair and renewal. This research is important because age-related degeneration and loss of function is associated with chronic pain, reduced mobility and disease comorbidities. There is both a loss of tissue integrity and propensity to fibrosis indicating that homeostasis of the collagenous extracellular matrix is lost with age. Understanding the molecular processes that create functional tissues during development and growth, and which malfunction or cease to operate in aged tissues is key to developing new strategies for tissue engineering, to activate intrinsic stem cell repair mechanisms and to develop beneficial pharmaceutical, dietary or exercise-based interventions in an increasingly aged society.

Prizes or Honours

• Presentation prize at the CIMA/CMAR joint meeting 'Musculoskeletal ageing research from discovery to improved health' (The Bone Research Society, 2023)
• "Best of British" oral presentation prize, sponsored by the British Dupuytren's Society (International Conference on Dupuytren Disease and Related Diseases, 2022)
• The Rupert Timpl Award, International Society for Matrix Biology (International Society for Matrix Biology, 2006)
• The Masson-Gulland Memorial Prize and Medal, University of Nottingham (University of Nottingham, Chemistry Department, 1997)