Dr Eve Kelland

Associate Professor

Lecturer in Neuroscience

Qualifications

1999 B.Sc. (Hons) Medical Biochemistry, University of Surrey

2004 Ph.D. Pharmacology and Neurobiology, University of Surrey (Mechanisms of excitotoxicity in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells)

Professional membership

Member International Women in Multiple Sclerosis (iWiMS)

Roles on external bodies

I have served as member (since 2016) and Chair (since 2019) of the Glial Pilot Grant Study Section Committee for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, USA . Within this capacity I have also served as a reviewer for numerous national and international study sections including the National Institutes of Health (USA), Medical Research Council (UK), French National Research Agency (France) and the Fast Forward Scientific and Business Advisory Committee (National Multiple Sclerosis Society, USA). I have also served as a grant reviewer for several internal research funding programs during my faculty appointment with the University of Southern California.

I review manuscripts for a range of journals including the Journal of Neurochemistry, Neuroreport, the Journal of Microbiology and Experimentation and the Journal of Visual Experimentation (JoVE).

Teaching interests

Module Lead, Contemporary Applications in Neurobiology (BHCS5012), Plymouth University Biomedical Masters Degree Programme

Module Lead, Current Issues in Neurobiology (BHCS3007), Plymouth University Biomedical and Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Lecturer, Basic and Clinical Neuroscience (BHCS5011), Plymouth University Biomedical Masters Degree Programme

Lecturer, Biology of Disease (BHCS2001), Plymouth University Biomedical and Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Lecturer, Systems Physiology: Function and Dysfunction (BHCS2018), Plymouth University Biomedical and Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Lecturer, Human Anatomy and Physiology: Cells to Systems (BHCS1002), Plymouth University Biomedical and Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Lecturer, Human Disease (BHCS1005), Plymouth University Biomedical and Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Lecturer, Study Skills and Personal Development (BHCS1011), Plymouth University Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Lecturer, Biomedical Investigation and Experimentation (BHCS1001), Plymouth University Biomedical and Human Biosciences Undergraduate Degree Programme

Research interests

The focus of research within my laboratory is centered around molecules that modulate oligodendrocytes and their progenitors, OPCs, responses to injury with the goal of finding novel therapeutics that can promote neuroprotection and repair; all within the context of the disease Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis can be a debilitating disease of the central nervous system in which components of the body’s immune system specifically target oligodendrocytes within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves of the eyes. The function of an oligodendrocyte is to make and form tight insulation wraps, called myelin, around nerve cells. This enables nerve cells to transmit fast electrical signals and it also protects the nerve cell and provides support. Following loss of myelin and the oligodendrocyte the nerve cell can not function correctly and ultimately degenerates resulting in the accrual of disability. For my research I utilize a range of techniques and tools centered around demyelination to study how endogenous OPCs migrate and differentiate in response to injury, how Multiple Sclerosis drug therapies and novel pathways, such as the renin-angiotensin system, interact with these cells, and identify novels targets to reduce or prevent oligodendrocyte loss and promote repair.

Grants & contracts

I have received funding from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA), US Department of Defense, The Race to Erase MS, The Conrad Hilton Foundation and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Ltd.