![Professor Steven Tucker Professor Steven Tucker](/img/200x200/staffpages/uploads/mbi241/avatar/LYQydyo3Im6sdzdtu3SZP6ZWSRksul2GsuAtBMIy.jpeg)
SFHEA, FBPhS
Personal Chair, Dean for Quality Assurance & Enhancement
- About
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- Email Address
- s.j.tucker@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 437491
- Office Address
Room 6.32 Institute of Medical Sciences Foresterhill Aberdeen AB25 2ZD Telephone +44(0)1224 437491 Laboratory Telephone +44(0) 437518
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
- School/Department
- Senior Vice Principals
Biography
I am currently a Professor of Pharmacology Education within the School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition, and the Dean of Quality Assurance and Enhancement at Insitutional level.
Here is my story so far:
Having been raised and schooled locally (Portlethen Academy), I graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a 1st class honours degree in Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology) in 2000, winning both the class prize and the University Quincentenary Award. I then completed my PhD studies in the laboratory of Professor Dave MacEwan in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen in 2004.
I then completed a series of post-doctoral research posts:
- 2003-2005 - University of Aberdeen - investigating cell signalling in liver fibrosis and the role that hepatic stellate cells play in liver pathology.
- 2005-2006 - Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh - studying antibody-targeted therapies in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.
- 2006-2008 - University of Aberdeen - developing a state-of-the-art imaging system for studying signalling within neuronal growth cones.
In 2008, I moved into a more teaching centred role and became a Teaching Fellow in the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen. In 2010, I gained my first promotion, was further promoted in 2012 to Senior Teaching Fellow before becoming a Senior Lecturer (scholarship). I was promoted to Professor of Pharmacology Education in 2021.
Throughout these teaching posts, I have remained research active in areas relating to cell signalling, primarily involving the role cAMP binding proteins play in the pathology of breast cancer and how these might be targeted therapeutically.
Outside academia, I have a keen interest in music and play drums, bass guitar and keyboard (throwback to my youth in the 1980s!!). I also love sport including football, cricket, tennis, American football, cycling and golf.
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
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Committee Membership:
School / Institute
SMMSN examination board (UG and PG)
SMMSN executive teaching committee
SMMSN teaching and learning committee
SMMSN Mitigating circumstances committee
SMMSN practical assessment group
SMMSN written and anatomy assessment group
IEMHS student support group
Postgraduate course coordinators group
Postgraduate good cause committee
Postgraduate research project working group
Postgraduate plagiarism committee
ITR preparation working group
BSc Review Group
Blackboard Ultra Transition Group
University:
Chair of the Quality Assurance Commitee
Enhancement Theme Steering Group Convener
Enhancement Theme Community of Practice Convener
Academic Policy and Regulations Group Member
University Education Committee
University Student Support Committee
University Pastoral Review Working Group
University Student Monitoring, Absence and Engagement Working Group
Digital learning representative / elearning / VLE project
International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association Conference Organising Committee
- External Memberships
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Fellow of the British Pharmcological Society
Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
External Examining:
UG external examiner at:
- Newcastle University (Pharmacology; since 2016)
- Swansea University (Medical Pharmacology; since 2018)
- Leeds University (Pharmacology since 2022)
PG external examiner at:
- University College London (Biomedical Science MSc; since 2020)
External Validation:
External validator for new UG pharmacology programmes in 2018, St George’s University London (Clinical Pharmacology) and Swansea University (Medical Pharmacology)
The British Pharmacological Society:
- Pharmcology Matters Editor in Chief
- Co-chair of Inclusive Education Steering Group
- BPS ambassador coordinator
International Pharmacology Core Concepts Project:
- Research Team Pharmacokinetics Co-Lead
Editorial Roles:
Invited to act as an editor for several high profile national and international journals / initiatives:
- Pharmcology Matters Editor in Chief
- British Journal of Pharmacology
- Pharmacology Research and Perspectives
- Scientific reports
- Frontiers in Pharmacology
- RxN Glossary of Drug Discovery project (2018-19)
Latest Publications
Defining and unpacking the core concepts of pharmacology: A global initiative
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 181, no. 3, pp. 375-392Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA self-directed interactive learning environment to conduct dose-response analysis.
Contributions to Conferences: Oral PresentationsAn inclusive strategy to enhance equity and quality of research-led teaching experience
Contributions to Conferences: Oral PresentationsPrinciples for inclusive implementation of the undergraduate pharmacology core curriculum
Pharmacology Research and Perspectives, vol. 10, no. 6, e01023Contributions to Journals: Comments and DebatesThe role of Popeye domain‐containing protein 1 (POPDC1) in the progression of the malignant phenotype
British Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 179, no. 12, pp. 2829-2843Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.15403
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/18550/1/Tucker_etal_BJP_The_role_of_VOR.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Prizes and Awards
Rang Prize for contributions to Pharmacology Education Awarded by the British Pharmacological Society 2019.
Funniest Lecturer Award - University of Aberdeen Excellence Awards 2020, 2021, 2022
Postgraduate Best Lecturer Award - University of Aberdeen Excellence Awards 2014
Undergraduate Best Lecturer Award - University of Aberdeen Excellence Awards 2011
Nominations for various teaching and support roles through the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen University Students' Association 2010-2022.
- Research
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Research Overview
General Interests
Mammalian cell signalling cascades and targeting these pharmacologically.
Reproductive physiology and its endocrine control.
Current Interests
Examining the role of the novel cAMP binding Popeye Domain Containing (POPDC) proteins in breast cancer. Particularly how these proteins are involved in proliferative and migratory control.
Pedagogic Research
Development of core curricula and associated learning resources for pharmacology teaching and learning.
Development and enhancement of innovative methods for teaching life sciences, especially relating to practical skills and practical classes.
Previous Research
Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) signalling in human cancer cells
Studied the control of cellular fate downstream of TNF-receptor activation and focussed mainly on promotion of survival (NF-kB) versus promotion of apoptosis (c-Jun N-terminal kinase). Investigated inhibitory cross talk between these opposing signalling cascades.
Liver fibrosis and signalling in the hepatic stellate cell (HSC)
Investigated inflammatory signalling in HSCs and their correlation with liver fibrosis. Studied mechanisms of selectively inducing apoptosis in these cells using a fungal toxin (gliotoxin), which interacted directly with the intrinsic apoptotic pathway at the level of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT).
Current Research
Ongoing Research
Investigating the downregulation of cAMP binding Popeye Domain Containing (PODC) proteins in breast cancer. In particular down regulation of POPDC proteins coincides with cancer initiation and correlates with increased proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. As transmembrane proteins, POPDCs play a key role in cellular interactions with the extracellular matrix, and one of the early steps in its dysregulation during malignant development is withdrawal from the membrane. Current research is investigating the mechanisms behind this and whether stabilisation of te protein within the membrane may reduce the progression of the malignant phenotype in breast cancer.
Pedagogy
Currently involved in national and international projects developing core pharmacology curricula and resources to support its delivery.
I am also engaged in pedagogic research aimed at developing interactive and innovative practical teaching practices to enhance the student learning experience. Also, involved in enriching hands-on practical teaching, which I feel is a central component of any science degree. Specifically, I have done a lot of work developing teaching practices for pharmacokinetics - a key aspect of pharmacology.
I also have interests in student retention, and the development and implementation of provisions and centralised frameworks to support students from all backgrounds through all aspects of their degree studies.
Collaborations
Collaborations ongoing with Swansea University to use blackworms as an in vivo model organism for pharmacology practical teaching.
Funding and Grants
Dates
Funding body
Title
2014 – 2017
University of Aberdeen (Elphinstone Scholarship)
The roles of Popdc proteins in the migration and proliferation of breast cancer cells
2017-18
Internship funding from School of Medicine, Medical Science and Nutrition University of Aberdeen
Development of an online pharmacokinetics module
2016-17
University of Aberdeen (LTEP)
Development of interactive laboratory simulations for induction of incoming PG students
2015-16
University of Aberdeen (LTEP)
Joining the dots between conversion, induction and retention
2013-14
University of Aberdeen (LTEP)
Student-led development of pharmacokinetic resource hub
2012-13
University of Aberdeen (LTEP)
Development of maths skills support tutorials for medical science students
2019-2020
BPS Teaching Grant
A simple, interactive and user-friendly application to conduct dose-response analysis
2014-15
BPS Teaching Grant
Development of flexible practical suite for pharmacokinetic teaching
2012-13
BPS Teaching Grant
Bringing pharmacokinetics to life with a simple laboratory exercise
- Teaching
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Programmes
- Undergraduate, 4 year, September start
Programme coordinator
- Undergraduate, 4 year, September start
Programme coordinator
- Undergraduate, 4 year, September start
Programme coordinator
- Postgraduate, 3 stage, September start
Programme coordinator
- Postgraduate, 3 stage, September start
Programme coordinator
Courses
Teaching Responsibilities
Degree programme coordinator for:
BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
BSc (Hons) Immunology and Pharmacology (with Dr Isabel Crane)
MSc Clinical Pharmacology
MSc Drug Discovery and Development
Course Co-ordinator for:
BI25B2 - Physiology of Human Organ Systems
PA3004 - Biochemical Pharmacology and Toxicology
PA4303 - Current Topics in Pharmacological Research
MT5010 - MSc Induction
MT5518 - Pharmacokinetics
Contributions made to the following courses:
SM1001 (Introduction to Medical Sciences), SX1006 (The Mind Machine), SM1501 (The Cell), SX1505 (Science and the Media), SM2001 (Foundation Skills for Medical Sciences), BI20B2 (Physiology of Human Cells), SM2001 (Foundation Skills for Medical Scientists), SM2501 (Research Skills for Medical Sciences), BI25B2 (Physiology of Human Organ Systems), SM3002 (Frontiers of Biomedical Sciences), PA3004 (Biochemical Pharmacology and Toxicology), PA4005 (Molecular Pharmacology), PA4303 (Current Topics in Pharmacolgical Research), BM4501 (BMS honours projects), SM4901 (Honours General Paper), SM4902 (Honours Data Analysis Paper), BT5007 (Industrial placement year), MT5010 (MSc Induction), BT5013 (Small Molecule Drug Discovery), MT5024 (Molecular Pharmacology), MT5029 (Toxicology), MT5024 (Molecular Pharmacology), MT5518 (Pharmacokinetics), MB5903 (MSc Research Project).
- Publications
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The role of the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) in apoptosis in response to gliotoxin
British Toxicological Society Annual Meeting 2005Contributions to Conferences: PostersCell membrane permeabilisation by alkylpyridinium sponge toxin preparations and their utilisation as novel transfection reagents
Neurotox' 2003: Neurotoxicological Targets from Functional: Chapter 5, pp. 51-58, 8 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersGliotoxin stimulates the apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via an interaction with the adenine nucleotide translocator-1 in rat
British association for the study of the liver annual meeting 2004Contributions to Conferences: PostersSwitching leukaemia cell phenotype between life and death
PNAS, vol. 101, pp. 12940-12945Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0400949101
Modulation by caspases of tumor necrosis factor-stimulated c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation but not nuclear factor-kappa B signaling
Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 65, pp. 91-99Contributions to Journals: ArticlesModulation by caspases of tumor necrosis factor-stimulated c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation but not nuclear factor-kappaB signaling
Biochemical Pharmacology, vol. 65, no. 1, pp. 91-99Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-2952(02)01443-0
The influence of alkyl pyridinium sponge toxins on membrane properties, cytotoxicity, transfection and protein expression in mammalian cells
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Biomembranes, vol. 1614, no. 2, pp. 171-181Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-2736(03)00175-5
The use of novel GFP reporter constructs reveals a reciprocal antagonistic relationship between c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor –κB in the control of HeLa cell life and death
Beatson International Cancer Conference 2003Contributions to Conferences: PostersCaspase sensitivity of TNF receptor signalling
Signalling the Future (Biochemical Society) - 2002Contributions to Conferences: PostersCaspase sensitivity of tumour necrosis factor receptor subtype signalling
9th International TNF Congress Meeting 2002Contributions to Conferences: Posters