Professor Mirela Delibegovic

Biography

EDUCATION

2022: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan Executive Education; Entrepreneurship Development Program, Cambridge, MA, USA

2003-2007: American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

1999- 2003: University of Dundee: PhD in Biochemistry, MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit, Dundee, UK.     Supervisor Professor Dame Patricia T.W. Cohen

1995–1999: University of Edinburgh Medical School: BSc Honours in Pharmacology, Edinburgh, UK.

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2024-: Visiting Professor, University of Copenhagen, Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR)

2024-: Regius Chair of Physiology

2019-2023: Dean for Industrial Engagement in Research and Knowledge Exchange

2018-: Director, Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, University of Aberdeen

2018-2022: Systems Physiology Programme Lead, Institute of Medical Sciences

2015-: Professor in Diabetes Physiology and Signalling, University of Aberdeen

2014-2015: Reader; University of Aberdeen, School of Medical Sciences

2012-2014: Senior Research Fellow, University of Aberdeen, School of medical sciences

2010-2012: Lecturer, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences

2007-2012: Research Councils UK (RCUK) 5-year tenure-track Fellowship, University of Aberdeen, School of Biological Sciences.

2003–2007: Harvard Medical School, Division of Medicine, Department of Hematology & Oncology.  American Heart Association (AHA) Postdoctoral Fellowship. Mentor: Prof. Benjamin Neel.

External Memberships

2023-2027: Medical Research Council, Population and Systems Medicine Board 

2022-2024: Chair, British Heart Foundation Project Grants Committee 

2023-: Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy Grant Review Committee 

2023-: Medical Research Council, Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) Panel 

2022-: Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), France 2030 Investment Plan, Bioclusters, Panel Member

2022-: Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE)

2022-: Barts Charity, Grants Committee (Large Project Grants and Transformational Funding)

2022: Acting Chair, British Heart Foundation Project Grants Committee 

2022-: Mentor, Deutsches Centrum Fur Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK) Mentoring Programme

2022, 2024: Chair, RD Lawrence Fellowship Committee, Diabetes UK

2021-2022: Vice-Chair: British Heart Foundation Project Grants Committee

2021-: Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation, Research Advisory Board

2019-2024: British Heart Foundation Project Grants Committee Member

2015-2021: Diabetes UK Main Research Grants Committee

2018–: University of Aberdeen Theme Lead, Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA)

2015-: Carnegie Trust Assessor

2011 (Inaugural elected member): The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Young Academy of Scotland

Prizes and Awards

Scotland's Life Sciences Awards 2023 (Finalist), Innovation Collaboration category (with Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd and NHS Grampian)

Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellow (FRSE) (Elected 2022)

International Academy of Sciences and Arts Bosnia and Herzegovina (Internacionalna Akademija Nauka i Umjetnosti u Bosni i Hercegovini) (Elected 2022)

Excellence Awards 2022, Winner, Public Engagement with Research (2022)

Excellence Awards 2022, Shortlisted, Best PGR Supervisor (2022)

Champion 2022 (Finalist) of the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award (Interface, 2022)

Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Young Academy of Scotland Fellow (Inaugural Elected Fellow) (2011)

Winner of the 2018 Wellcome Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Public Engagement in the Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen

Joint winner: Public prize, Principal’s Prize for Public Engagement with Research 2018, University of Aberdeen

“Super Zena” (“Super Woman”) 2018 award at the First International Women’s conference, Bosnia and Hercegovina

Research Overview

Translational research activities

• Lead for development of Covid-19 diagnostic tests using Artificial Intelligence (AI), funded by Scottish Government (2020-2022) through the Rapid Research in Covid-19 (RARC) programme. Delivered highly sensitive, accurate and affordable diagnostic tests suitable for mass rollout:https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/14759/; https://abdn.ac.uk/ims/news/15626
• Our work was highlighted by the United Nations Academic Impact publication as the example of a successful collaboration between academia and industry https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/helping-fight-covid-19-pandemic-artificial-intelligence
• Technology/platform developed during the RARC programme has led significant new investment from Innova Medical Group (IMG) as well as Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership project with Vertebrate Antibodies Ltd (2024 -), towards the development of novel antibody tests (single test) for type 1 diabetes subtypes. 
• Consultant and Project Lead for start up Cohen Pharmaceuticals Ltd (2018-2023). Leading drug discovery project with a team of medicinal chemists, in vitro and in vivo biologists and modellers from target identification, validation, patent filling and pre-IND work. Exited the project in 2023, just prior to commencement of Phase 1 clinical trials. 
• Development of novel drug treatments for diabetic retinopathy (most common complication: sight loss): https://abdn.ac.uk/ims/news/15345
• Treatment of atherosclerosis using PTP1B inhibitors: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/news/11280/ 

Current Research

We currently have several translational projects in the lab focused on metabolic diseases with emphasis on type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD/NASH models) and cognitive dysfunction (with focus on Alzheimer's disease). Our projects range from drug discovery approaches using bioinformatic and medicinal chemistry approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning approaches for novel diagnostics, to in vitro and in vivo testing and most recently focused on patient-derived organoid cultures and patient populations. We do this in collaboration with our colleagues within Aberdeen Cardiovascular and Diabetes Centre, nationally and internationally. 

Our lab is and has always been "open to all and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others" as stated in our Aberdeen 2040 Foundational Purpose. Our research culture is a positive and fun one! Pictures speak louder than words (Pre-holiday party; December 2022 lab photo). 

Current research staff and graduate students in the lab 

Postdoctoral Research Fellows 

Rodanthi Zindrili (since 2024-) obtained her PhD from the University of Aberdeen in 2022, and worked in industry, before starting in our lab as the KTP funded associate developing novel diagnostic tests for Type 1 diabetes and subtypes. This is the project funded by Innovate UK jointly with EpitogenX. 

Ayaz Ali (2022- 2025) obtained his PhD from the China Medical University, Taiwan, and is a BHF-funded research fellow working on novel treatments for diabetic retinopathy. 

Marina Souza Matos started  in the lab as the PhD student (since 2019-) funded by two separate PhD studentships (Elphinstone Scholarship and the IMS studentship), co-supervised by Prof Bettina Platt, and working on the role of essential amino acid signalling in cognitive function (graduating in July 2023). She obtained her undergraduate in Pharmacy from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 2016. She did her undergraduate internship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Harvard medical school, in the laboratory of Prof Hollenberg in 2015. In 2019, she obtained her Masters in Physiology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Marina is now a postdoctoral fellow in our lab and Prof John Forrester, working on the role of PTP1B in dendritic cells and autoimmune uveitis. 

Sarah Kamli-Salino did her final year Honours project in our laboratory and obtained her BSc Hons in Physiology at the University of Aberdeen in 2018. She then did her 1-year MRes project (2018-2019) in our laboratory, testing novel drugs for treatment of cardiovascular disease, funded by the Development Trust. She was then funded by Medical Research Scotland/ Astra Zeneca (2019-2024) for her PhD studies on synthetic cannabinoids in diabetic nephropathy, which she successfully defended in June 2024. Sarah is now a Research Associate in our laboratory working on independent projects. 

Ruta Dekeryte (since 2014-) started in the lab as the final year undergraduate Honours project student, after which she was awarded the competitive IMS PhD studentship  to work on the project investigating dietary and pharmacological approaches in combating cognitive dysfunction in models of Alzheimer's disease (2014 - 2018).  Since 2018, Ruta has been working as research fellow at the interface with a commercial company. 

Joseph Smith (since 2021 -) is a biologist and honorary research fellow in our lab. Joe did his PhD studies at the University College London (UCL). 

Meghan Hamer (since 2021-) is a medicinal chemist and honorary research fellow  working in the medicinal chemistry lab of Dr Sergio Dall'Angelo. Meghan did her PhD at the University of Strathclyde. 

Current PhD students

  Dr Fiona Clegg is a SCREDS Clinical Lecturer in Gastroenterology, working towards her PhD in my lab (since 2018-). Fiona's research interests are in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and particularly in liver fibrosis, hepatocarcinogenesis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Fiona works on patient-derived human organoid cultures and novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of NAFLD/NASH/HCC. Fiona is currently writing up her PhD thesis and back to her clinical duties. 

Ms Abrar Othman is a PhD student (2019-2024) funded by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau working on the role of PTP1B in macrophage signalling and inflammation. She obtained her Bachelor of Applied Medical Sciences at King Abdul-Aziz University (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) and her Masters (Honours) of Clinical Biochemistry from the University of Manchester in 2016. Abrar submitted recently defended her PhD thesis successfully and has returned to Saudi Arabia as a lecturer at King Abdul-Aziz University. 

Ms Morgan Boyne is the BHF- funded PhD student in the lab (2022-2025) working on novel treatments for diabetic retinopathy. This is a collaboration with our clinical colleagues Prof John Forrester and Dr Lucia Kuffova (NHS Grampian). Morgan obtained her MSc in Precision Medicine and Pharmacological Innovation with Distinction (Uni of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Strathclyde partnership; 2021). She was awarded 1st Class Honours in BSc (Hons) Bioscience with Biomedical Sciences from Robert Gordon University (2020).

Lab technician/manager

Ms Michela Donarumma joined our laboratory as the core lab technician in December 2020; prior to her joining the University of Aberdeen in 2010, Michela worked as a research assistant at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, USA.

Michela runs all day to day organisational matters, including procurement, ordering, record keeping, training, SOPs, maintenance of transgenic colonies, histopathology and data processing, imaging as well as contributing to UG and PGT student lab practical sessions. 

Past Research

The aim of our laboratory is to understand how ageing and poor nutrition lead to development of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other age-associated comorbidities. 

One of our publications in which we compared two nutritional interventions, achievable in humans, on metabolic health was selected as the Editor's Choice: highlight in Ageing research by Scientific Reports.

Lab News

Congratulations to Sarah Kamli Salino for successfully defending her PhD thesis, investigating novel synthetic cannabinoids in treatment of diabetic nephropathy (secondary supervisors: Prof Heather Wilson, AstraZeneca industrial supervisors: Lihuan Liang, Timo Haschler). Special thanks to her examiners Prof Gavin Welsh (University of Bristol) and Dr Fiona Murray (Institute of Medical Sciences). 

June 2024 (L to R:  Heather Wilson, Sarah Kamli Salino, Fiona Murray, Mirela Delibegovic)

Congratulations to Abrar Othman for successfully defending her PhD thesis, delineating the role of myeloid PTP1B in wound healing in diabetes (secondary supervisors: Prof Heather Wilson, Dr Nimesh Mody). Special thanks to her examiners Dr Li Kang (University of Dundee) and Dr Ann Rajnicek (Institute of Medical Sciences). 

April 2024 (L to R: Nimesh Mody, Li Kang, Abrar Othman, Ann Rajnicek, Heather Wilson, Mirela Delibegovic)

Congratulations to Marina Souza Matos for successfully defending her PhD thesis, studying the role of essential amino acids and methionine restriction in models of cognitive dysfunction (second supervisor: Prof Bettina Platt). Special thanks to her examiners Prof Colin Selman (University of Glasgow) and Dr Derek Garden (Institute of Medical Sciences). 

April 2023 (L to R: Colin Selman, Mirela Delibegovic, Marina Matos, Bettina Platt, Derek Garden)

Thanks to everyone who supported my run at the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London (Oct 2022) raising funds for life saving research supported by the British Heart Foundation!  

It was a wonderful day on 30th May 2022 at the Royal Society of Edinburgh! I was inducted to the Scottish national academy as the elected fellow (FRSE) alongside some amazing scientists, artists, activists and thinkers! 

In March '22, we were delighted to welcome the British Heart Foundation and invited politicians consisting of MPs and MSPs and show them around our labs and tell them more about our science but also answer some really important questions they had about the impact of our work!

Celebrations of the Centenary of Insulin Discovery have been going on since Oct '21 and continuing well into late '22!!! We organised webinars, podcasts, school visits, exhibits at Aberdeen Science Centre as well as the Parliament, RSE, seminars and so much more... This involved our undergraduate medical students as well as our PhD students, postdocs and academic staff (current and emeritus). 

Congratulations to Ms Besa Veseli Emini for successfully defending her dual degree MoGlyNet Program Marie-Curie PhD thesis in Aberdeen and in Antwerp (Dec 2021); 2 viva voce on the same day (Aberdeen morning, Antwerp afternoon)! Online celebrations still managed to be fun and I managed to join virtually the in person celebrations in Antwerp!

Congratulations to Mr Oliver Helk for successfully defending his PhD thesis on "Investigating the role of PTP1B in human health: a translational approach" in Dec 2020. Oliver is now the clinical associate professor at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Special thanks to his examiners Prof Faisal Kahn (University of Dundee) and Dr Antonio Gonzalez Sanchez (Rowett Institute). 

Congratulations to Ms Fabiana Baganha Carreiras for successfully defending her dual degree MoGlyNet Program Marie-Curie PhD thesis in Leiden and in Aberdeen (May 2020); 2 viva voce, 1 week apart. Online celebrations still managed to be fun!

Congratulations to Ms Sarah Kamli-Salino for successfully defending her Masters by Research (MRes) thesis (Feb 2020) and being awarded the Distinction! Hard work pays off; Sarah is now doing her PhD in the lab funded by MRS/AstraZeneca PhD studentship. Thanks to Sarah's examiners: Dr Paul Meakin (University of Leeds) and Dr Justin Rochford (Rowett Institute).

I run the Royal Parks Half Marathon (Oct 2019) raising funds for Diabetes UK; I managed to raise an amazing £1,521 for this great charity and the funds will go towards funding of new research into causes, treatment and care of diabetes! Thanks to all the supporters!!!! In Oct 2022, I'm doing the Royal Parks half again, this time raising funds for the BHF and their life saving research into metabolic diseases. 

Knowledge Exchange

Public Engagement in Research Awards

Excellence Awards 2022, Winner, Public Engagement with Research (2022)

Champion 2022 (Finalist) of the Scottish Knowledge Exchange Award (Interface, 2022)

 To listen to our podcast on the panel dicussion organised for International Women's Day 2021 "Different Day Same Problem: Covid-19, Leadership and Inequality" follow this link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/05c80a76 

For the BHF Alumni organised panel discussion in which I took part on "The Future of the Lab after Covid-19" register here: https://alumni.bhf.org.uk/events/45004 

• Winner of the 2018 Wellcome Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Public Engagement in the Biomedical Sciences

• Joint winner: Public prize, Principal’s Prize for Public Engagement with Research 2018

• “Super Zena” (“Super Woman”) 2018 award at the First International Women’s conference, Bosnia and Hercegovina

•  Vitae (global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers) “Talking heads: PIs on mentoring research staff” project; invited speaker to help new PIs achieve most from their research staff; series of short online videos

• National Coordinating Centre for Public Outreach – recognized as 1 out of 20 top UK scientists in 2010 for their outreach activities.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Programme and Course coordinator for the PGT course: MSc in Cardiovascular Science and Diabetes 

• Teaching on a range of courses within the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, from 2nd year undergraduate to Masters level. 

Non-course Teaching Responsibilities

Delivering CPD courses and staff development courses; examples include: 

• State of Qatar Ministry of Public Health and Qatar University, Continuous Professional Development lecture on “Acute and chronic complications associated with diabetes”
• Physiological Society: “Creating impact for your research - Building relationships and creating opportunities”
• International Women’s Day 2021: “Different Day, Same Problem: Covid-19, Leadership and Inequality”
• British Heart Foundation: “Future of the lab after COVID-19”