Dr Georgina Menzies

Publication

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Research

My research focuses on understanding how structural dynamics govern biological function in disease-relevant systems, using molecular modelling and molecular dynamics simulations as core tools. I work at the interface of computational structural biology, genomics and experimental biology, developing integrative approaches that provide mechanistic insight into processes that are difficult or impossible to resolve experimentally.

A central strand of my research investigates DNA repair and mutational vulnerability. I study how local DNA sequence context influences structural distortion, protein recognition and repair efficiency, and how these effects translate into disease-associated mutation patterns. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with experimental repair data and machine learning, my work has demonstrated how subtle sequence-dependent structural features modulate repair outcomes and mutational hotspots in cancer-associated genes. This work establishes molecular dynamics as a predictive framework linking genomic variation to biological consequence.

This research programme has attracted external funding from research councils and charitable organisations, including multiple awards from EPSRC for high-performance computing resources supporting large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, and funding from Alzheimer’s Research UK for public engagement and doctoral training activities. I am currently Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on funded projects and PhD studentships supported by EPSRC, BBSRC and Alzheimer’s Research UK, spanning DNA repair, neurodegeneration, membrane biology and bioimaging.

In parallel, I apply computational structural approaches to problems in neurodegeneration, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. My work contributes mechanistic insight into the function of disease-associated variants in immune and signalling proteins, including roles in membrane interactions, protein flexibility and allosteric regulation. I have also authored invited perspective work on emerging computational tools for studying neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, reflecting recognised expertise in this area.

I am extensively involved in interdisciplinary and international collaborations addressing translational challenges, including antimicrobial resistance and membrane-active therapeutics. Within these collaborative programmes, supported by industry partnerships and large multi-investigator grants, I provide computational leadership, delivering atomistic insight into membrane disruption, biofilm destabilisation and immunomodulatory mechanisms that underpin therapeutic efficacy. This work integrates modelling with experimental and clinical data, strengthening the link between molecular mechanism and biological outcome.

My current and future research directions include sequence-specific DNA repair recognition, AI-assisted analysis of molecular dynamics data, and integrative modelling of protein–DNA and membrane–protein systems in disease contexts. I actively supervise postgraduate researchers and welcome collaboration with experimental and computational groups interested in applying advanced simulation approaches to biologically and clinically relevant problems.

Current Grants

• EPSRC SimBio (PI) – Decoding DNA Repair: Molecular Insights into Sequence-Specific Recognition(computational resources)

• EPSRC SimBio (Co-I) – Molecular dynamics simulations of P2X7 (computational resources)

• BBSRC (Co-I) – Completing the protein–protein interaction picture: new genetically encoded fluorescent tools

• BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD Studentship (Co-I) – Investigating the P2X7 receptor ballast domain using molecular dynamics and functional assays

• BBSRC SWBio DTP PhD Studentship (Co-I) – Building new nano-biosensors for healthcare

• Alzheimer’s Research UK PhD Studentship (co-PI) – Regulation of microglia by the Alzheimer’s disease risk gene ATP8B4

• Alzheimer’s Society PhD Studentship (Co-I) – Antibody-based delivery of anti-complement therapeutics to the Alzheimer’s brain

Teaching

My teaching is research-led, workshop-based and strongly aligned with my expertise in computational structural biology, bioinformatics and data-driven biological analysis. I place particular emphasis on postgraduate and Level 7 provision, where students engage directly with real biological datasets, molecular modelling tools and contemporary research problems.

I currently serve as Deputy Course Lead for taught MSc programmes and am Module Lead for Level 7 modules including Big Data in Protein Structure and Function. I also played a leading role in the development and delivery of core MSc modules in bioinformatics and big data science, and contribute to strategic curriculum development, including the design of a new cross-School MSc in Advanced Bioinformatics. Across these roles, I have responsibility for module design, assessment strategy and the delivery of intensive, hands-on computational workshops.

My teaching spans Levels 4–7, with the majority of contact hours at postgraduate level. I supervise undergraduate, MSc and PhD research projects, with students working on topics aligned to my research in DNA repair, neurodegeneration, protein dynamics and molecular modelling. Former students have progressed to doctoral study, postdoctoral research and roles in academia and industry.

I am committed to continual enhancement of teaching practice and was awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in 2022. I regularly reflect on student feedback to refine module content and delivery, ensuring that quantitative and computational skills are clearly embedded within biologically meaningful contexts and aligned with students’ future research and career pathways.

Programme Leadership

• Deputy Course Lead, Applied Bioinformatics MSc (2026–present)

• Deputy Course Lead, Big Data Biology MSc (2022–2025)

Module Leadership

• Module Lead, BIT164 Big Data in Protein Structure and Function (Level 7)

• Module Lead, BIT107 Big Data Science (Level 7) (2022–2025)

• Module Lead, BIT106 Bioinformatics (Level 7) (2022–2025)

• Module Lead, MET581 (Postgraduate) (2018–2020)

Teaching Contributions

• Lecturer, BI4002 (UG/IM)

• Lecturer, BI31325 (UG)

Biography

I am a Teaching and Research academic in computational structural biology based in the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University and a member of the UK Dementia Research Institute. My academic background is in molecular modelling and molecular dynamics, with research expertise spanning DNA repair, neurodegeneration and cancer.

I completed my PhD at Swansea University, developing and applying molecular dynamics platforms to investigate DNA structure and distortion, following an MSc in Molecular Modelling at Cardiff University. Since then, I have built an interdisciplinary research programme applying simulation-based approaches to disease-relevant biological systems, working across academia, industry and charitable research organisations.

Alongside my research, I make a substantial contribution to postgraduate education, academic leadership and research culture. My teaching is research-led and workshop-based, with a particular emphasis on Level 7 provision in bioinformatics, big data science and protein structure and function. I am actively engaged in doctoral supervision, mentoring and public engagement, particularly within the dementia research community.

Honours and awards

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2022

• Selected Participant, Welsh Crucible Programme, 2021

Professional memberships

• Assoicate Member, UK Dementia Research Institute
• Member, Medicine Discovery Institute
• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
• United Kingdom Environmental Mutagenesis Society (UKEMS)
• Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society (MGMS)
• The International Society for Clinical Spectroscopy (CLIRSPEC)

Network Memberships and committees 

• Co-Lead, Alzheimer’s Research UK Wales Network
• Lead, Cardiff University Dynamic Structural Sciences and Biophysics Network (CUDSSBN)
• Member, Dementia Research Institute Cardiff Executive Committee
• Member, ARCCA Operational User Group

Academic positions

Speaking engagements

I am a regular invited speaker at internal and external seminar series, national meetings and international conferences. Invited presentations include seminars across Cardiff University and Swansea University, invited oral presentations at UK Dementia Research Institute conferences and DNA repair meetings, and selected talks at international conferences including AD/PD and the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC).

I have also been an invited speaker at research celebration and public engagement events, including the Supercomputing Wales Celebration Event, and regularly contribute to public-facing talks and discussion forums related to dementia research and computational biology.

Committees and reviewing

I contribute to academic citizenship through committee service, peer review and editorial roles. I am an editor for Frontiers in Dementia and regularly act as a reviewer for international journals including Structure, Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, Translational Neuroscience and Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports.

I also serve as a reviewer and panel member for funding bodies including Alzheimer’s Society and the Biochemical Society, and contribute to recruitment panels, examining and early-career researcher development activities within the University

• CUDSSBN Organising Committe - 2023 - present
• ECR Representative (ARUK Network & DNA repair theme, Dementia Research Institute) Various years
• Athena Swan Community Committee
• Dementia Research Institute executive committee member 2018 - present
• Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) South Wales Network ECR Rep.
• Organiser - ARUK Public engagement events - 2019, 2021, 2023
• Co-organiser - ARUK open day 2018, Hadyn Ellis Building

Supervisions

I am interested in supervising students in the areas of;

• Development of Molecular Modelling platforms for DNA strucural analysis
• Molecular Dynamics simulations of CRISPR systems
• Molecular Dyanamics simulations of protein mutations
• Simulations and analysis of DNA strucutre in relation to repair pathways

Current PhD students

•       James Davies: carcinogens and their interactions with DNA/repair machinery. Primary supervisor

•       Amelia Francis: Designing protein scaffolds that bind and modulate next generation bioimaging probes. Second supervisor. Second supervisor

•       Chris Slack: Investigating the function of the P2X7 receptor ballast domain using molecular dynamics and functional assay. Second supervisor

•       Alex Moger: Studying membrane-protein lipid interactions using coherent optical nanoscopy and molecular dynamics. Second supervisor

•       Rebekah Cooke: Using antibodies as templates to develop small molecule anti-complement drugs to deliver to Alzheimer’s brain. Second supervisor

•       Edward Birt: A combination of in silico and in vitro studies to understand the regulation of microglia by the novel Alzheimer’s disease risk gene ATP8B4. Second supervisor

Current supervision

James Davies

Christopher Slack

Alex Moger

Amelia Francis

Past projects

• Antione Mangin: PhD, second supervisor. awarded 2024 – currently employed as PDRA
• Elisa Salis: PhD, second supervisor. awarded 2022 – currently employed as researcher in Biotech
• Boglarka Kennedy: MSc Big Data Biology – 2023/24 – currently undertaking PhD
• Elisa Salis - PhD awarded 2022
• James Davies - Integrated Masters - 2021/2

Engagement

Public Engagement

I have a sustained and active public engagement profile, with a particular focus on dementia research and the communication of computational and biomedical science to non-specialist audiences. My engagement activities are closely integrated with my research and leadership roles, and are underpinned by a commitment to meaningful involvement of patients, the public and early career researchers.

I am Co-Lead of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Wales Network, where I play a central role in shaping public engagement strategy, supporting early career researcher development, and strengthening links between researchers, patients and the wider public across Wales. I have been involved with the Network since 2018 and continue to contribute to its strategic direction and delivery.

I have designed and facilitated Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities for dementia research, including public-facing events and discussion sessions that bring together researchers, clinicians, patients and carers. These activities aim to ensure that research priorities are informed by lived experience and that scientific advances are communicated in an accessible and responsible manner.

My public engagement work has been supported by external funding, including an Alzheimer’s Research UK Inspire Award as Principal Investigator. I regularly contribute to public talks, science communication events and media activities, and have delivered engagement activities in a range of settings, from schools and community venues to large public research events.

Public Engagement Roles and Activities

Leadership and Networks

• Co-Lead, Alzheimer’s Research UK Wales Network
  – Strategic leadership of public engagement and ECR activity across Wales

• Former Early Career Researcher Representative; now full committee member, ARUK Wales Network

Funded Public Engagement

• Principal Investigator, Alzheimer’s Research UK Inspire Award (£4,150)
  – Public engagement and schools outreach across South Wales

Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

• Designer and facilitator of PPI sessions for dementia research

• Delivered PPI activities at ARUK Wales public engagement events, including large-scale public venues

• Founding member, Friends of the UK Dementia Research Institute PPI group

Public Talks and Science Communication

• Speaker at public research events, investment dinners and community engagement sessions

• Contributor to Pint of Science and other public science events

• Featured contributor to public-facing research communication materials and videos