Laura Grace Bartlett is a Senior Research Assistant in the natural killer (NK) cell research group led by Dr Blunt. Her current research is focused on the identification and optimisation of NK cell-derived therapeutics for haematological malignancies.
Grace's research career first began during her BSc (Hons) studies in Forensic Biology (Molecular Biology) at Nottingham Trent University, where she took part in a year long exchange program to Trent University, Canada followed by an industrial placement at Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR), Netherlands. Following growing interest in disease pathogenesis, Grace studied an MSc in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nottingham, where she stayed to undertake a PhD in the field of Respiratory Immunology and Inflammation. Her research focused on the development of a novel murine model of cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) better reflective of the 3Rs of laboratory animal research (replacement, refinement, reduction).
Grace's work throughout her PhD is currently being used to investigate the impact of maternal and paternal smoking status on foetal development and offspring health, and is anticipated to be used to investigate the long-term immunopathogenic effects of e-cigarette smoke exposure.
Grace now works in the lab of Dr Blunt as part of the natural killer (NK) cell team, conducting research on identifying and optimising NK cell-derived therapeutics for haematological malignancies. She aims to use her knowledge and skills to further current understanding of immunopathogenic and inflammatory diseases, and contribute towards the development of novel immune and patient-derived therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.