About
Dr Shiva Seyed Forootan is a Lecturer in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Liverpool. Her research expertise lies in biomarker discovery for the prediction of drug-induced liver injury and cancer, using both in vivo and in vitro 3D models. More recently, as part of the Innovative Medicines Initiative TransBioLine programme, she has investigated the role of liquid biopsy microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers of drug-induced hepatic and pancreatic injury.
Shiva has over 15 years of experience teaching and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate medical and biomedical students in both classroom and laboratory settings. She has contributed extensively to curriculum development and assessment in Pharmacology and within the School of Pharmacy.
Her teaching philosophy integrates principles of constructivism and humanism. Through a humanistic approach, students are encouraged to develop self-direction, responsibility, creativity, and curiosity. At the same time, recognising that some skills and techniques can be challenging to master independently, she values the educator’s role in providing structured guidance and support within the zone of proximal development, as articulated in Vygotsky’s scaffolding theory.
Shiva is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Prizes or Honours
- Merit Award (American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2005)
Funded Fellowships
- Young Women in Life Science 2003 (UNESCO, 2003)