![Rowan Casey MBiochem FHEA](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/10236?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
Immunology PhD researcher specialising in lymphocyte antiviral responses, with expertise in high-parameter flow cytometry, lymphocyte functional assays and developing high-performance computing pipelines for analysing transcriptomic and cytomic datasets.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread virus that can cause significant mortality and morbidity in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). KTRs receive immunosuppressive drugs to prevent transplant rejection, but this leaves them vulnerable to infections, such as HCMV. KTRs who receive the virus in their transplant (D+), without previous exposure (R-), are at most risk or HCMV infection, as they have no immune memory responses. To prevent this, they receive anti-viral treatment for three months following transplantation, to prevent HCMV disease. Nonetheless, approximately half of patients will still go on to develop HCMV disease after the withdrawal of prophylaxis. The reasons behind this are poorly understood, and clarification may reveal strategies for better preventing this common post-transplant complication.
Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that are critical in immune responses against HCMV. After immune cells are depleted in KTRs by induction immunosuppression, NK cells recover quicker than other immune cell subsets. As such, their reconstitution and function likely contribute to the underlying causes of D+R- KTRs developing HCMV disease, or not. My research focuses on NK cell predictors of HCMV infection, seeking to improve our assessment of risk for these patients.
Publication
2025
- Preston, H. et al. 2025. Human cytomegalovirus immune evasion of natural killer cells: a virus for all seasons?. Pathogens 14 (7) 629. (10.3390/pathogens14070629)
- Maringer, K. et al., 2025. Building an inclusive culture at scientific meetings: foundations for future progress. Microbiology 171 (2)(10.1099/mic.0.001527)
Articles
- Preston, H. et al. 2025. Human cytomegalovirus immune evasion of natural killer cells: a virus for all seasons?. Pathogens 14 (7) 629. (10.3390/pathogens14070629)
- Maringer, K. et al., 2025. Building an inclusive culture at scientific meetings: foundations for future progress. Microbiology 171 (2)(10.1099/mic.0.001527)
Research
Thesis
Funding sources
Current:
-
Investigating nutritional amino acid regulation of antiviral immunity in kidney transplant patients, Kidney Research UK: PhD Grant
Historical:
-
Investigating the role of Nogo-B in virus-induced inflammation, University of York: York Futures Scholarship
-
A role for the HSV1 UL13 protein kinase in regulating the interferon response, Microbiology Society: Harry Smith Vacation Studentship
Teaching
FHEA awarded 01/2025
Previous teaching:
- BSc Mathematics Principal Dissertation Supervisor, Cardiff University, 10/2025 – 06/2026
- MBBCh Medicine Laboratory Supervisor, Cardiff University, 10/2023 – 07/2025, 4.8/5 Student Satisfaction
- MSc Big Data Biology Dissertation Co-supervisor, Cardiff University, 12/2024 – 04/2025
- MSc Applied Bioinformatics Dissertation Co-supervisor, Cardiff University, 05/2024 – 11/2024
- Digital Teaching Designer, University of York, 08/2020 – 06/2023
Biography
Honours and awards
- Division of Infection and Immunity 1st Place Poster Prize, Cardiff University, 11/2025
- Division of Infection and Immunity 2nd Place Oral Presentation Prize, Cardiff University, 11/2024
- Microbiology Society 1st Place Poster Prize, Bristol, 07/2023
- Advance HE Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence, University of York, 08/2022
- Blackboard Catalyst Award for Inclusive Education, University of York, 07/2021
Professional memberships
- British Society for Immunology
- Microbiology Society
- British Society for Cell Biology
- Biochemical Society
Speaking engagements
Oral Presentations
Invited:
- GW4 Cytomics, University of Bath, 04/2026
External:
- UK Natural Killer Cell Conference, Cardiff University, 01/2026
- Microbiology Society Early Career Conference, Northumbria University, 06/2025
- UK Cytomegalovirus Network Meeting, Cambridge University, 12/2024
- Microbiology Society Early Career Conference, Bristol, 07/2023
Internal:
- School of Medicine Postgraduate Conference, Cardiff University, 12/2024
- Division of Infection and Immunity Conference, Cardiff University, 11/2024
Poster Presentations
External:
- 22nd Meeting of the Society for Natural Immunity, Italy, 10/2026
- British Society for Immunology Congress, Liverpool, 12/2025
- Microbiology Society Early Career Conference, Bristol, 07/2023
Internal:
- Division of Infection and Immunity Conference, Cardiff University, 11/2025
Committees and reviewing
- Microbiology Society Co-chair Appointment Panel, 06/2026
- Microbiology Society Annual Conference Session Co-chair, 04/2026, 04/2025 and 04/2023
- Microbiology Society Early Career Virology Division Representative, 01/2024 – 12/2025
- Microbiology Society Members' Panel Representative, 05/2022 – 12/2024
Supervisors
Ian Humphreys
Professor of Viral Pathogenesis and Lead Co-Director of Systems Immunity Research Institute
Engagement
- College Student Laboratory Sessions and Talks, 2024 – 2026
- Primary School Question and Answer Sessions, 2024 – 2026
- Kidney Wales Patient Project Presentation, 06/2024
Contact Details
Henry Wellcome Building for Biomedical Research, Floor 2, Room 2F09, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN
Research themes
Specialisms
- Immunology
- Virology
- High-performance computing