The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Simon's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Simon
- Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) in Molecular Pathology
- Senior UG Personal Tutor
- Non-NHS Placements Coordinator
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. (1998) Cellular Biology; University of London
- B.Sc. (Hons) (1992) Anatomical Science; University of Bristol
- PG.Cert (2005) Learning and teaching in higher education.
Research Interests
I am a member of the Agri-Pharmacy research group which is delving into the pharmaceutical potential of plant extracts cultivated under completely controlled environmental conditions. By controlling growth factors such as light, temperature, and nutrient levels, we aim to harness the full medicinal potential of these plants whilst reducing the carbon footprint for medicine production to net zero. My research in particular examines the effect of compounds on bone, with a focus on mechanisms governing preferential metastasis of breast and prostate cancer cells to the skeleton.
Grants and Contracts
Arthritis Research Campaign: (September 2002-August 2005, £ 104,834) Fox SW and Chambers TJ. To test the role of TGF-beta signalling pathways and SOCS expression in osteoclast/macrophage lineage commitment. (Ref F0558).
Wellcome Trust: (Awarded August 2005 for 36 months, £ 136,360) Fox SW. Analysis of the signalling mechanism by which TGF-beta determines osteoclast/macrophage lineage-switching.
Diving Diseases Research Centre: (Awarded October 2009 for 36 months, £10,500) Fox SW. Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on osteoclast differentiation.
Seal Hayne Trust: (Awarded June 2009 for 6 months £4,750) Owens M, Davies S and Fox SW. Molecular analysis of telost bone remodelling.
Conferences Organised
Member of the organising committee for the Heads of University Centres of Biomedical Science Annual Conference 2021, 22, 23, 24
Supervised Research Degrees
- (University of London) Alison Lovibond 2005, PhD
- (Plymouth University) Matthew Owens 2011, PhD
- (Plymouth University) Sahar Karieb 2012, PhD
- (Plymouth University) Hadil Al Hadi 2013, PhD
- (University of Plymouth) Safaa Salaman Mezban Al-Thamiree 2019, PhD
Teaching
I teach molecular & cellular biology and learning skills on numerous modules across the faculty.
Module Lead
BHCS1001 Biomedical Investigation and Experimentation
BHCS1011 Study Skills and Personal Development
BHCS2027 Placements and Employability
BHCS3002 Molecular and Cellular Pathology
BHCS3030 Biomedical Science: Placements
BHCS3031 Personal Development and Employability
In the school of Biomedical Sciences I teach on.
BSc
BHCS002 Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences
FMD002 Introduction to Human Physiology
FMD003 Learning Skills for Healthcare
BHCS1001 Biomedical Investigation and Experimentation
BHCS1004 Introduction to Human Pathology
BHCS1005 Human Disease
BHCS1011 Study Skills and Personal Development
BHCS1017 Investigation and Experimentation in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
BHCS2001 Biology of Disease
BHCS2002 Evidence-based practice in Biomedical Science
BHCS2004 Cell Biology in Health and Disease
BHCS2027 Placements and Employability
BHCS3001 Personal Research Project
BHCS3002 Molecular and Cellular Pathology
BHCS3030 Biomedical Sciences: Placement
BHCS3031 Personal Development and Employability
MSc
BIOM5005 Project Design and Development
BIOM5006 Research Project
BHCS5009 Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
School and Faculty Roles
Associate Head of School- Teaching and Learning (2015-2021)
Interim Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning- Faculty of Health (2020)
Programme Lead BSc Biomedical Sciences Foundation (2018-2020)
Programme Lead BSc Biomedical Science (2009-2015)
External Examining
I am currently an external examiner for BSc (Hons) Applied Medical Sciences at University College London and BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science at Anglia Ruskin University.
External examiner for BSc and MSc Applied Biosciences at the University of the West of Scotland 2011-2015.
I have examined PhDs thesis for the National Centre for Cell Science Pune University India, St George's Hospital Medical School University of London, University College London, University of Oxford and the University of Plymouth.
Contact Simon
B407, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
simon.fox@plymouth.ac.uk
