Following on from both her undergraduate and Master's research projects at Loughborough, in which she focused on skeletal muscle cell culture, Alderson has continued with this area of research during her PhD. Overall, she is aiming to develop sex specific female and male skeletal muscle cellular models which can be used as platforms to gain further insights into sex-linked muscular differences.
As it is largely known, male and female muscle differs greatly on a physiological level, including strength, size, and power differences. However, intricate differences in muscle cellular and molecular function between sexes is less well understood. For example, it is unclear how muscular tissue is altered following gender-affirming hormonal therapy. With the current controversy surrounding transgender participation in sport it is vital more robust scientific evidence is collected to ensure an inclusive, yet fair, sporting environment is maintained.
The development of sex specific muscular models could provide a platform, via hormonal manipulation, for investigations into the influences of gender-affirming therapy on muscle morphology, function, and cellular expression. In addition, current pre-clinical trials often utilize male-only muscle cells, resulting in higher occurrences of adverse effects reported in females during clinical trial phases. Through the development of sex-specific muscular models, pharmaceuticals could be tested in a more targeted sex-specific manner, potentially reducing the occurrence of sex-linked adverse effects while increasing drug efficacy.
I am currently involved in teaching lab skills modules (1&2) for part A and B students.
I have previous experience as a subject specific lab support worker in which I aided a student with physical disabilities in order to complete the laboratory work expected of first year students.
I am a keen cyclist, particularly when it comes to hills!