About
Sharna obtained a BSc Biology from Oxford Brookes University, prior to completing a Masters of Research in Developmental Biology at the University of Bath. Sharna then moved to Cambridge to work at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, firstly as a Research Assistant in the Proteomics Mass Spectrometry team and then followed by 18 months as a Advanced Research Assistant in the Cancer, Aging and Somatic Mutations team. Sharna took the offer to study a PhD at Cardiff University in the Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, where she developed a 3D cerebral organoid protocol from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. As a result of the complexity of cerebral organoids, she became experienced in a broad number of topics surrounding neurodevelopment, including its related conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. Currently working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. David Turner's lab, Sharna is developing a different 3D stem cell model, gastruloids, capable of exhibiting cell behaviours akin to early developing mouse embryos in the hopes of understanding the signalling pathways responsible for cell fate determination. Sharna is passionate about inclusivity and diversity in academia and is an active advocate for accessibility and retention of disabled researchers.