Gavin AD Metcalf MRes DIC MSB

Gavin AD Metcalf MRes DIC MSB
Work Address:
Clinical Biosensors Laboratory, Imperial College London,
South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ.
Correspondence Address:
Flat 36, Cavendish Mansions, Mill Lane, West Hampstead,
London, NW6 1TE.
Tel: 07779349018 | Email: g.metcalf12@imperial.ac.uk | Web: www.imperial.ac.uk/people/g.metcalf12
Professional Profile
A dedicated scientific professional with a background in Biosciences and Cancer Biology, currently undertaking an interdisciplinary
doctorate focusing upon the development of novel fluorogenic biosensors for the early-stage diagnosis of hormonal cancers. In
addition to degree qualifications a variety of Clinical and Research Internships have been completed at various NHS Hospitals as
well as Science and Biotechnology courses provided by various internationally renowned institutions. Possess excellent
communication skills, with experience in scientific writing and presenting complex biological findings in an understandable
manner. Additionally employed as a Graduate Teaching Assistant which has resulted in the development of mentoring and
teaching skills to both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Education
2013 - Present
(3 years, FT)
PhD in Cancer-Engineering, Imperial College London.
Research focus: Fluorogenic PNA biosensor development for early-stage hormonal cancer diagnosis.
Supervisors: Dr Sylvain Ladame, Prof Charlotte Bevan, Prof Bob Brown, and Prof Charles Coombes.
2012 - 2013
(1 year, FT)
MRes in Cancer Biology, Imperial College London.
Distinction, with Diploma of Imperial College (DIC).
Research focus: Novel kinases’ effects on lung cancer survival, chemosensitivity, and metastasis.
2009 - 2012
(3 years, FT)
BSc in Human Biosciences, University of Northampton.
Upper Second Class (2.1), with Honours.
Grants and Awards
08/2014
Cancer Researcher Bursary, MECbioeng14 conference organising committee.
09/2013
Cancer Engineering Interdisciplinary PhD Studentship, CRUK and Imperial Faculty of Engineering.
09/2012
International Conference Travel Grant, Society of Biology.
06/2012
Volunteering Gold Award, Volunteering England.
11/2011
Conference Travel Grant, Biochemistry Society.
11/2011
Chancellor’s Scholarship, University of Northampton.
Research Experience
09/2013 - Present
Doctoral Research, Clinical Biosensors Laboratory, Imperial College London.
Primary research is focusing upon developing, and optimizing, synthetic PNA fluorogenic biosensors
for the high-throughput profiling and sensing of cancer-specific circulating nucleic acid chains (e.g.
miRNA and DNA) as well as denoting DNA methylation statuses in clinical samples. These noninvasive tools will first be applied to the early-stage detection and diagnosis of hormonal cancers
(Prostate, Breast, and Ovarian Cancer) but the strategy is likely to be of very broad applicability.
11/2012 - 09/2013
Masters Research, Molecular Cancer Medicine Group, Imperial Cancer Research Centre.
Two independent research rotations were completed, focusing upon novel ribosomal protein
kinases (RPKs) and associated downstream proteins. Overall, research investigated the roles that the
kinases played upon metastasis and drug resistance within NSCLC, as potential therapeutic targets.
07/2011 - 04/2012
Undergraduate Research, Bioenergetics Research Group, University of Northampton.
Designed and developed a protocol to isolate functional leukocyte mitochondria from venous blood
samples, enabling the exploration of mitochondrial respiration as a predisposition cancer biomarker,
in conjunction with a novel bioenergetics model based around Aconitase, a TCA cycle enzyme.
06/2007 - 01/2008
Histopathology Laboratory Internship, Cellular Histopathology, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust.
Gained valuable clinical laboratory experience, developing a variety of general, and histology
specific, skills while working with consultant pathologists and biomedical scientists. Skills included
histological sample preparation (fixing, processing, embedding, and sectioning), routine and special
staining, light microscopy, and inputting of pathology reports.
Updated October 2014
Key Technical Skills
Synthetic Chemistry:
Advanced polymer synthesis (Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis); fluorogenic compound design
and synthesis; spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS, and UV-Vis); purification (HPLC); and microfluidics.
Molecular Biology:
Safe handling and processing of Biofluids (blood, urine, saliva); Protein extraction and quantification;
SDS-PAGE and western blotting; Co-IP; cloning; bacterial transformation; plasmid preparation; RNA
extraction; and RT-qPCR.
Cellular Biology:
Tissue culture; transient transfection; cell survival; invasion and migration assays; IF staining; and
Microscopy (including electron, confocal, fluorescent, and widefield).
Bioinformatics:
GenBank searching; sequence alignment; protein sequence analysis; and miRNA target prediction.
IT/programming:
MATLAB; Python; C for Science; Microsoft Office; Graphpad Prism; ChemDraw; SPSS.
Clinical Experience
06/2012 - 09/2014
Adrenoleukodystrophy Researcher and Science Advisor, ALD Life.
Performing research for novel clinical trials and therapeutic studies on Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD),
translating appropriate findings into lay terms for ALD Life publishing. Additionally, contributing
towards educating members of the public about the neurological aspects of the disease.
04/2011
Anaesthesia and Surgery Clinical Internship, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust.
Shadowed Anaesthetists in various clinics and operating theatres observing a variety of surgeries;
acquiring an understanding of the principles of anaesthesia, the CNS, and Pharmacokinetics.
08/2010
Ophthalmology Internship, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Acquired a variety of routine ophthalmic examination skills during outpatient clinics. Additionally,
observed a variety of surgical procedures including cataract correction and corneal laser surgery.
Teaching Experience
04/2014 - Present
Student Laboratory Supervision, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London.
Currently co-supervising UG/PG students within the department that enter the clinical biosensors
laboratory. This involves mentoring as well as teaching students various techniques.
09/2013 - Present
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London.
Principle roles include lecturing and small-group teaching on various modules including Molecular
Biology, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering. Additional work includes invigilating and marking
undergraduate and taught-postgraduate examinations within the department.
11/2011 - 07/2012
Operations Officer and Trainer, St John Ambulance (LINKS), University of Northampton.
Trained a group of 50+ students and staff Advanced First Aid skills; organising weekly meetings and
preparing interactive presentations and practical sessions with scenarios.
Recent Publications and Talks
Gavin Metcalf, Hinesh Patel, and Sylvain Ladame. Sensing and profiling of circulating cell-free nucleic acids with fluorogenic PNA
probes: A high-throughput and minimally invasive approach for early-stage diagnosis and improved prognosis of cancer. (Medical
Engineering Centres Annual Meeting and Bioengineering Conference ‘14. Imperial College London, Sept 2014).
Youngeun Choi, Gavin Metcalf, Mazen Haj Sleiman, Douglas Vair-Turnbull, and Sylvain Ladame. Oligonucleotide-templated
reactions based on Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) probes: concept and biomedical applications. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 22,
4395-4398 (June 2014).
Gavin Metcalf. Insight into academic research in the field of Oncology. (Guest Lecture, University of Northampton, Dec 2013).
Professional Affiliations and Appointments
04/2014 - Present
01/2014 - Present
09/2013 - Present
10/2013 - Present
01/2012 - Present
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Biosensors and Bioelectrics (Austin Publishing Group).
Royal Society of Medicine.
Royal Society of Chemistry.
British Association for Cancer Research.
Society of Biology.
Additional Information

References are available upon
request.

English (native) and
German.
Updated October 2014

Full EU Driving licence held
for 5+ years.