Staff Profile

I am the Technical Team Lead for the Leech Building and have been part of Newcastle University for over 16 years. Prior to my current role, I worked as a Research Technician within the Solid Tumour Target Discovery Group, where my research focused on prostate cancer and stem cell biology.

I have extensive experience across a broad range of laboratory techniques, with particular expertise in molecular pathology and bioimaging. My specialist skills include immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, microtomy, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). I also managed the Aperio virtual pathology imaging system, providing training and support in the automated analysis of stained tissue sections.

Drawing on this expertise, I co-founded the Histology and Pathology Interest (HAPI) Group. Newcastle University is home to several highly skilled histology and pathology teams across its campuses, and HAPI was established to bring this community together. The group provides a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise, promoting best practice, exploring emerging technologies, and fostering collaboration and methodological innovation.

I have been a Registered Scientist since 2015 and currently serve as an assessor for both the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) and the Science Council, supporting the professional development and registration of scientists across the sector.

In addition, I established and coordinate the Faculty's Sixth Form Work Experience Programme, which provides students with valuable insight into laboratory-based careers and helps inspire the next generation of researchers and technical professionals.

This version reads more confidently and professionally while highlighting your leadership, technical expertise, professional recognition, and commitment to training and outreach.

• Articles

  • Bastian K, Orozco-Moreno M, Thomas H, Hodgson K, Visser EA, Rossing E, Pijnenborg JFA, Eerden N, Wilson L, Saravannan H, Hanley O, Grimsley G, Frame F, Peng Z, Knight B, McCullagh P, McGrath J, Crundwell M, Harries L, Maitland NJ, Heer R, Wang N, Goddard-Borger ED, Guerrero RH, Boltje TJ, Drake RR, Scott E, Elliott DJ, Munkley J. FUT8 Is a Critical Driver of Prostate Tumour Growth and Can Be Targeted Using Fucosylation Inhibitors. Cancer Medicine 2025, 14(10), e70959.
  • Garnham R, Geh D, Nelson R, Ramon-Gil E, Wilson L, Schmidt EN, Walker L, Adamson B, Buskin A, Hepburn AC, Hodgson K, Kendall H, Frame FM, Maitland N, Coffey K, Strand DW, Robson CN, Elliott DJ, Heer R, Macauley M, Munkley J, Gaughan L, Leslie J, Scott E. ST3 beta-galactoside alpha-2,3-sialyltransferase 1 (ST3Gal1) synthesis of Siglec ligands mediates anti-tumour immunity in prostate cancer. Communications Biology 2024, 7(1), 276.
  • Hodgson K, Orozco-Moreno M, Goode EA, Fisher M, Garnham R, Beatson R, Turner H, Livermore K, Zhou Y, Wilson L, Visser EA, Pijnenborg JF, Eerden N, Moons SJ, Rossing E, Hysenaj G, Krishna R, Peng Z, Nangkana KP, Schmidt EN, Duxfield A, Dennis EP, Heer R, Lawson MA, Macauley M, Elliott DJ, Bull C, Scott E, Boltje TJ, Drake RR, Wang N, Munkley J. Sialic acid blockade inhibits the metastatic spread of prostate cancer to bone. eBioMedicine 2024, 104, 105163.
  • Scott E, Hodgson K, Calle B, Turner H, Cheung K, Bermudez A, Marques FJG, Pye H, Yo EC, Islam K, Oo HZ, McClurg UL, Wilson L, Thomas H, Frame FM, Orozco-Moreno M, Bastian K, Arredondo HM, Roustan C, Gray MA, Kelly L, Tolson A, Mellor E, Hysenaj G, Goode EA, Garnham R, Duxfield A, Heavey S, Stopka-Farooqui U, Haider A, Freeman A, Singh S, Johnston EW, Punwani S, Knight B, McCullagh P, McGrath J, Crundwell M, Harries L, Bogdan D, Westaby D, Fowler G, Flohr P, Yuan W, Sharp A, de Bono J, Maitland NJ, Wisnovsky S, Bertozzi CR, Heer R, Guerrero RH, Daugaard M, Leivo J, Whitaker H, Pitteri S, Wang N, Elliott DJ, Schumann B, Munkley J. Upregulation of GALNT7 in prostate cancer modifies O-glycosylation and promotes tumour growth. Oncogene 2023, 42, 926–937.
  • Scott E, Archer Goode E, Garnham R, Hodgson K, Orozco-Moreno M, Turner H, Livermore K, Putri Nangkana K, Frame FM, Bermudez A, Garcia Marques FJ, McClurg UL, Wilson L, Thomas H, Buskin A, Hepburn A, Duxfield A, Bastian K, Pye H, Arredondo HM, Hysenaj G, Heavey S, Stopka-Farooqui U, Haider A, Freeman A, Singh S, Johnston EW, Punwani S, Knight B, McCullagh P, McGrath J, Crundwell M, Harries L, Heer R, Maitland NJ, Whitaker H, Pitteri S, Troyer DA, Wang N, Elliott DJ, Drake RR, Munkley J. ST6GAL1-mediated aberrant sialylation promotes prostate cancer progression. Journal of Pathology 2023, 261(1), 71-84.
  • Garnham R, Geh D, Nelson R, Ramon-Gil E, Wilson L, Schmidt EN, Walker L, Adamson B, Buskin A, Hepburn A, Hodgson K, Kendall H, Frame FM, Maitland NM, Coffey K, Robson CN, Elliott DJ, Heer R, Macauley MS, Munkley J, Gaughan L, Leslie J, Scott E. ST3Gal1 synthesis of Siglec ligands mediates anti-tumour immunity in prostate cancer. bioRxiv 2023.
  • Singh P, Lanman NA, Kendall HLR, Wilson L, Long R, Franco OE, Buskin A, Miles CG, Hayward SW, Heer R, Robson CN. Human prostate organoid generation and the identification of prostate development drivers using inductive rodent tissues. Development 2023, 150(13), dev201328.
  • Grossmann S, Hooks Y, Wilson L, Moore L, O'Neill L, Martincorena I, Voet T, Stratton MR, Heer R, Campbell PJ. Development, maturation, and maintenance of human prostate inferred from somatic mutations. Cell Stem Cell 2021, 28(7), 1262-1274.e5.
  • Hepburn AC, Curry EL, Moad M, Steele RE, Franco OE, Wilson L, Singh P, Buskin A, Crawford SE, Gaughan L, Mills IG, Hayward SW, Robson CN, Heer R. Propagation of human prostate tissue from induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2020, 9(7), 734-745.
  • Bainbridge A, Walker S, Smith J, Patterson K, Dutt D, Ng YM, Thomas HD, Wilson L, McCullough B, Jones D, Maan A, Banks P, McCracken SRC, Gaughan L, Robson CN, Coffey K. IKBKE activity enhances AR levels in advanced prostate cancer via modulation of the Hippo pathway. Nucleic Acids Research 2020, 48(10), 5366-5382.
  • Smith ALM, Whitehall JC, Bradshaw C, Gay D, Robertson F, Blain AP, Hudson G, Pyle A, Houghton D, Hunt M, Sampson JN, Stamp C, Mallett G, Amarnath S, Leslie J, Oakley F, Wilson L, Baker A, Russell OM, Johnson R, Richardson CA, Gupta B, McCallum I, McDonald SAC, Kelly S, Mathers JC, Heer R, Taylor RW, Perkins ND, Turnbull DM, Sansom OJ, Greaves LC. Age-associated mitochondrial DNA mutations cause metabolic remodeling that contributes to accelerated intestinal tumorigenesis. Nature Cancer 2020, 1, 976-989.
  • Hepburn AC, Steele RE, Veeratterapillay R, Wilson L, Kounatidou EE, Barnard A, Berry P, Cassidy JR, Moad M, El-Sherif A, Gaughan L, Mills IG, Robson CN, Heer R. The induction of core pluripotency master regulators in cancers defines poor clinical outcomes and treatment resistance. Oncogene 2019, 38, 4412-4424.
  • Jones D, Wilson L, Thomas H, Gaughan L, Wade MA. The histone demethylase enzymes KDM3A and KDM4B co-operatively regulate chromatin transactions of the estrogen receptor in breast cancer. Cancers 2019, 11(8), 1122.
  • McClurg UL, Nabbi A, Ricordel C, Korolchuk S, McCracken S, Heer R, Wilson L, Butler LM, Irving-Hooper BK, Pedeux R, Robson CN, Riabowol KT, Binda O. Human ex vivo prostate tissue model system identifies ING3 as an oncoprotein. British Journal of Cancer 2018, 118, 713-726.
  • Grey J, Jones D, Wilson L, Nakjang S, Clayton J, Temperley R, Clark E, Gaughan L, Robson C. Differential regulation of the androgen receptor by protein phosphatase regulatory subunits. Oncotarget 2018, 9(3), 3922-3935.
  • Moad M, Hannezo E, Buczacki SJ, Wilson L, ElSherif A, Sims D, Pickard R, Wright NA, Williamson SC, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Greaves L, Robson CN, Simons BD, Heer R. Multipotent Basal Stem Cells, Maintained in Localized Proximal Niches, Support Directed Long-Ranging Epithelial Flows in Human Prostates. Cell Reports 2017, 20(7), 1609-1622.
  • Wade MA, Jones D, Wilson L, Stockley J, Coffey K, Robson CN, Gaughan L. The histone demethylase enzyme KDM3A is a key estrogen receptor regulator in breast cancer. Nucleic Acids Research 2015, 43(1), 196-207.
  • Williamson SC, Mitter R, Hepburn AC, Wilson L, Mantilla A, Leung HY, Robson CN, Heer R. Characterisations of human prostate stem cells reveal deficiency in class I UGT enzymes as a novel mechanism for castration-resistant prostate cancer. British Journal of Cancer 2013, 109(4), 950-956.
  • Moad M, Pal D, Hepburn AC, Williamson SC, Wilson L, Lako M, Armstrong L, Hayward SW, Franco O, Cates J, Fordham SE, Przyborski S, Carr-Wilkinson J, Robson CN, Heer R. A novel model of urinary tract differentiation, tissue regeneration, and disease: Reprogramming human prostate and bladder cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. European Urology 2013, 64(5), 753-761.
  • Williamson SC, Hepburn AC, Wilson L, Coffey K, Ryan-Munden CA, Pal D, Leung HY, Robson CN, Heer R. Human α₂β₁^HI CD133^+VE Epithelial Prostate Stem Cells Express Low Levels of Active Androgen Receptor. PLoS One 2012, 7(11), e48944.
  • Blackwood JK, Williamson SC, Greaves LC, Wilson L, Rigas AC, Sandher R, Pickard RS, Robson CN, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Heer R. In situ lineage tracking of human prostatic epithelial stem cell fate reveals a common clonal origin for basal and luminal cells. Journal of Pathology 2011, 225(2), 181-188.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Williamson SC, Wilson L, Williamson GA, Greaves L, Tuppen H, Pickard R, Wright NA, Robson CN, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Heer R. Finding a niche. The location of human prostate stem cells. In: Annual Meeting of the Society-of-Academic-and-Research-Surgery. 2014, Univ Cambridge, Robinson Coll, Cambridge, ENGLAND: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
  • Williamson C, Hepburn AC, Mantilla A, Wilson L, Leung HY, Robson CN, Heer R. Stockpiling testosterone; A unique mechanism of progression to castrate resistant disease. In: Annual Meeting of the Society of Academic and Research Surgery. 2013, London, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Williamson C, Blackwood JK, Greaves L, Wilson L, Pickard RS, Lako M, Robson CN, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Heer R. Lineage tracking in situ: Where are the prostate stem cells? What are they doing?. In: Annual Meeting of the Society of Academic and Research Surgery. 2012, Nottingham, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

• Note

  • Hepburn AC, Steele RE, Veeratterapillay R, Wilson L, Kounatidou EE, Barnard A, Berry P, Cassidy JR, Moad M, El-Sherif A, Gaughan L, Mills IG, Robson CN, Heer R. Correction: The induction of core pluripotency master regulators in cancers defines poor clinical outcomes and treatment resistance (Oncogene, (2019), 10.1038/s41388-019-0712-y). Oncogene 2019, 38, 4425.