![Liam Morgan BSc (Hons), PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/2515?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Liam Morgan
(he/him)
BSc (Hons), PhD
Teams and roles for Liam Morgan
Organisational Development Manager
Hr Osd
Organisational Development Manager
Staff Development
Overview
Overview
I am an Organisational & Staff Development Manager based in HR, with a particular focus on career development for staff on the research-only career pathway. My role involves supporting the career development of researchers via the provision of training and development opportunities and events, implementation and support of activities pertaining to our commitment to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, support of initiatives to improve the research environment and culture at Cardiff, and oversight of staff induction and mentoring programmes.
My previous roles have included Research Development Officer in Research and Innovation Services (supporting the academic community in enhancing and increasing both research capacity and income for the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering [CPSE]), Organisational & Staff Development Officer for Research (supporting the development of the research environment and culture at Cardiff University), and Programme Manager for the 'Welsh Crucible' (a programme of personal, professional and leadership development for future research leaders in Wales).
I am a former academic researcher, having previously completed a PhD in Cancer Pharmacology at Cardiff, followed by postdoctoral positions in the Cardiff CLL Research Group and in the Cardiff-China Medical Research Collaborative (CCMRC), both in the Division of Cancer & Genetics at Cardiff University School of Medicine. My most recent research in CCMRC focused on the metastasis of prostate cancer to bone, looking specifically at the factors involved in the osteoblastic phenotype exhibited by prostate cancer, in addition to the interactions between prostate cancer cells and the permissive bone microenvironment that allow secondary tumours to develop and progress at these sites.
Publication
2019
- Sanders, A. et al. 2019. Importance of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) in prostate cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. Oncotarget 10(59), pp. 6362-6377. (10.18632/oncotarget.27279)
2017
- Feng, Y., Sanders, A. J., Morgan, L. D., Owen, S., Ruge, F., Harding, K. G. and Jiang, W. G. 2017. In vitro significance of SOCS-3 and SOCS-4 and potential mechanistic links to wound healing. Scientific Reports 7(1), article number: 6715. (10.1038/s41598-017-06886-6)
2016
- Feng, Y., Sanders, A., Morgan, L., Harding, K. and Jiang, W. 2016. Potential roles of suppressor of cytokine signaling in wound healing. Regenerative Medicine 11(2), pp. 193-209. (10.2217/rme.16.4)
2012
- Hamilton, E. et al. 2012. Mimicking the tumour microenvironment: three different co-culture systems induce a similar phenotype but distinct proliferative signals in primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells. British Journal of Haematology 158(5), pp. 589-599. (10.1111/j.1365-2141.2012.09191.x)
2011
- Evans, B. A. J. et al. 2011. The influence of leptin on trabecular architecture and marrow adiposity in GH-deficient rats. Journal of Endocrinology 208(1), pp. 69-79. (10.1677/JOE-10-0178)
- Pepper, C. J. et al. 2011. Two novel aspirin analogues show selective cytotoxicity in primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells that is associated with dual inhibition of Rel A and COX-2. Cell Proliferation 44(4), pp. 380-390. (10.1111/j.1365-2184.2011.00760.x)
2010
- Pearce, L. et al. 2010. Genetic modification of primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with a lentivirus expressing CD38. Haematologica 95(3), pp. 514-517. (10.3324/haematol.2009.014381)
2009
- Morgan, L. D. et al. 2009. Elevated Src kinase activity attenuates tamoxifen response in vitro and is associated with poor prognosis clinically. Cancer Biology and Therapy 8(16), pp. 1550-1558. (10.4161/cbt.8.16.8954)
- Hiscox, S. E. et al. 2009. Dual targeting of Src and ER prevents acquired antihormone resistance in breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 115(1), pp. 57-67. (10.1007/s10549-008-0058-6)
- Hiscox, S. E., Jordan, N. J., Morgan, L. D., Smith, C., Goddard, L., Gee, J. . M. W. and Nicholson, R. 2009. Adverse features of acquired antihormone resistance and their targeting. In: Hiscox, S. E., Gee, J. M. W. and Nicholson, R. eds. Therapeutic Resistance to Anti-Hormonal Drugs in Breast Cancer: New Molecular Aspects and their Potential as Targets. London: Springer, pp. 139-160., (10.1007/978-1-4020-8526-0_8)
2008
- Morgan, L. D., Nicholson, R. and Hiscox, S. 2008. Src as a therapeutic target in breast cancer. Endocrine‚ Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 8(4), pp. 273-278. (10.2174/187153008786848295)
2007
- Morgan, L. D. 2007. Elevated Src kinase activity accompanies endocrine-resistance in breast cancer and promotes an aggressive cell phenotype. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Hiscox, S. E., Jordan, N. J., Morgan, L. D., Green, T. P. and Nicholson, R. I. 2007. Src kinase promotes adhesion-independent activation of FAK and enhances cellular migration in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 24(3), pp. 157-167. (10.1007/s10585-007-9065-y)
2006
- Hiscox, S. E., Morgan, L. D., Green, T. and Nicholson, R. 2006. Src as a therapeutic target in anti-hormone/anti-growth factor-resistant breast cancer. Endocrine-Related Cancer 13, pp. S53-S59. (10.1677/erc.1.01297)
- Hiscox, S. E., Morgan, L. D., Green, T. P., Barrow, D., Gee, J. M. W. and Nicholson, R. I. 2006. Elevated Src activity promotes cellular invasion and motility in tamoxifen resistant breast cancer cells. Breast cancer research and treatment 97(3), pp. 263-274. (10.1007/s10549-005-9120-9)
- Hiscox, S. E. et al. 2006. Tamoxifen-resistance in MCF7 cells promotes EMT-like behaviour and involves modulation of [beta]-catenin phosphorylation. International journal of cancer 118(2), pp. 290-301. (10.1002/ijc.21355)
2004
- Hiscox, S. E., Morgan, L. D., Barrow, D., Dutkowski, C. M., Wakeling, A. and Nicholson, R. I. 2004. Tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells is accompanied by an enhanced motile and invasive phenotype: inhibition by gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839). Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 21(3), pp. 201-212. (10.1023/B:CLIN.0000037697.76011.1d)
2002
- Morton, M. S., Arisaka, O., Miyake, N., Morgan, L. D. and Evans, B. A. J. 2002. Phytoestrogen concentrations in serum from Japanese men and women over forty years of age. Journal of Nutrition 132(10), pp. 3168-3171.
Articles
- Sanders, A. et al. 2019. Importance of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) in prostate cancer progression and metastatic dissemination. Oncotarget 10(59), pp. 6362-6377. (10.18632/oncotarget.27279)
- Feng, Y., Sanders, A. J., Morgan, L. D., Owen, S., Ruge, F., Harding, K. G. and Jiang, W. G. 2017. In vitro significance of SOCS-3 and SOCS-4 and potential mechanistic links to wound healing. Scientific Reports 7(1), article number: 6715. (10.1038/s41598-017-06886-6)
- Feng, Y., Sanders, A., Morgan, L., Harding, K. and Jiang, W. 2016. Potential roles of suppressor of cytokine signaling in wound healing. Regenerative Medicine 11(2), pp. 193-209. (10.2217/rme.16.4)
- Hamilton, E. et al. 2012. Mimicking the tumour microenvironment: three different co-culture systems induce a similar phenotype but distinct proliferative signals in primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells. British Journal of Haematology 158(5), pp. 589-599. (10.1111/j.1365-2141.2012.09191.x)
- Evans, B. A. J. et al. 2011. The influence of leptin on trabecular architecture and marrow adiposity in GH-deficient rats. Journal of Endocrinology 208(1), pp. 69-79. (10.1677/JOE-10-0178)
- Pepper, C. J. et al. 2011. Two novel aspirin analogues show selective cytotoxicity in primary chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells that is associated with dual inhibition of Rel A and COX-2. Cell Proliferation 44(4), pp. 380-390. (10.1111/j.1365-2184.2011.00760.x)
- Pearce, L. et al. 2010. Genetic modification of primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells with a lentivirus expressing CD38. Haematologica 95(3), pp. 514-517. (10.3324/haematol.2009.014381)
- Morgan, L. D. et al. 2009. Elevated Src kinase activity attenuates tamoxifen response in vitro and is associated with poor prognosis clinically. Cancer Biology and Therapy 8(16), pp. 1550-1558. (10.4161/cbt.8.16.8954)
- Hiscox, S. E. et al. 2009. Dual targeting of Src and ER prevents acquired antihormone resistance in breast cancer cells. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 115(1), pp. 57-67. (10.1007/s10549-008-0058-6)
- Morgan, L. D., Nicholson, R. and Hiscox, S. 2008. Src as a therapeutic target in breast cancer. Endocrine‚ Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 8(4), pp. 273-278. (10.2174/187153008786848295)
- Hiscox, S. E., Jordan, N. J., Morgan, L. D., Green, T. P. and Nicholson, R. I. 2007. Src kinase promotes adhesion-independent activation of FAK and enhances cellular migration in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 24(3), pp. 157-167. (10.1007/s10585-007-9065-y)
- Hiscox, S. E., Morgan, L. D., Green, T. and Nicholson, R. 2006. Src as a therapeutic target in anti-hormone/anti-growth factor-resistant breast cancer. Endocrine-Related Cancer 13, pp. S53-S59. (10.1677/erc.1.01297)
- Hiscox, S. E., Morgan, L. D., Green, T. P., Barrow, D., Gee, J. M. W. and Nicholson, R. I. 2006. Elevated Src activity promotes cellular invasion and motility in tamoxifen resistant breast cancer cells. Breast cancer research and treatment 97(3), pp. 263-274. (10.1007/s10549-005-9120-9)
- Hiscox, S. E. et al. 2006. Tamoxifen-resistance in MCF7 cells promotes EMT-like behaviour and involves modulation of [beta]-catenin phosphorylation. International journal of cancer 118(2), pp. 290-301. (10.1002/ijc.21355)
- Hiscox, S. E., Morgan, L. D., Barrow, D., Dutkowski, C. M., Wakeling, A. and Nicholson, R. I. 2004. Tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells is accompanied by an enhanced motile and invasive phenotype: inhibition by gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839). Clinical & Experimental Metastasis 21(3), pp. 201-212. (10.1023/B:CLIN.0000037697.76011.1d)
- Morton, M. S., Arisaka, O., Miyake, N., Morgan, L. D. and Evans, B. A. J. 2002. Phytoestrogen concentrations in serum from Japanese men and women over forty years of age. Journal of Nutrition 132(10), pp. 3168-3171.
Book sections
- Hiscox, S. E., Jordan, N. J., Morgan, L. D., Smith, C., Goddard, L., Gee, J. . M. W. and Nicholson, R. 2009. Adverse features of acquired antihormone resistance and their targeting. In: Hiscox, S. E., Gee, J. M. W. and Nicholson, R. eds. Therapeutic Resistance to Anti-Hormonal Drugs in Breast Cancer: New Molecular Aspects and their Potential as Targets. London: Springer, pp. 139-160., (10.1007/978-1-4020-8526-0_8)
Thesis
- Morgan, L. D. 2007. Elevated Src kinase activity accompanies endocrine-resistance in breast cancer and promotes an aggressive cell phenotype. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
Research
Research
After graduating with a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Warwick I joined the Department of Child Health in Cardiff University’s School of Medicine where I investigated the protective qualities of phytoestrogens in the development of breast cancer. From here I moved to a more industrial setting, gaining valuable experience working as a senior member of the Chromatography department in BioClinical Services, a local CRO based in Cardiff.
I returned to academia in 2002 when I joined the team at the Tenovus Centre for Cancer Research (now the Breast Cancer Molecular Pharmacology Group) based at the Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. My work explored the role of Src family kinases in the increased metastatic potential associated with Tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer. This subject later became the focus of my studies after I decided to undertake a PhD with the group; the data I generated suggested a potential role for Src not only in the development of a metastatic phenotype but also in the acquisition and maintenance of Tamoxifen resistance itself.
On completion of my PhD I returned to Cardiff University’s School of Medicine where I joined the Cardiff Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) Research Group. Here, my project explored the causative factors involved in the development of aggressive CLL, focussing on the potential role of the prognostic marker CD38. The project gradually evolved over time and my interests shifted towards the regulation of CD38 expression in primary CLL cells, concentrating on the involvement of extracellular signals received from the lymphoid microenvironment and the role of NF-kB signalling pathways.
In 2015 I joined the Cardiff-China Medical Research Collaborative (CCMRC) in the School of Medicine in order to return to my primary research interest, namely the metastasis of solid tumours. My current research focuses on the metastasis of prostate cancer to bone, looking specifically at the factors involved in the osteoblastic phenotype exhibited by prostate cancer, in addition to the interactions between prostate cancer cells and the permissive bone microenvironment that allow secondary tumours to develop and progress at these sites.
Areas of Technical Expertise
- Cell behaviour assays (adhesion, migration, invasion and proliferation)
- Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)
- Flow cytometry
- Gene up-regulation/knock-out
- Immunocytochemistry
- In vitro cell culture (primary and cell-lines)
- PCR/qPCR
- SDS PAGE/Western blotting
Teaching
- Supervision of Lab based Intercalated Project students for the Intercalated Degree Programme.
- Coaching, mentoring and lab-based supervision of postgraduate (MRes, MD, PhD) and SSC students.
- Academic Mentor to MB BCh undergraduate medical students.
Biography
Education and Qualifications
2008: PhD (Cancer Pharmacology) Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff UK
- Thesis: “Elevated Src Kinase activity accompanies endocrine-resistance in breast cancer and promotes an aggressive cell phenotype”
1996: Biochemistry BSc (Hons) Warwick University, Coventry, Warwickshire, UK
Career Overview
- 2023 – Present: Organisational & Staff Development Manager, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- 2019 – 2023: Research Development Officer (CPSE), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- 2017 – 2019: Organisational & Staff Development Officer (Research), Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- 2017 – 2019: Welsh Crucible Programme Manager, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
- 2015 – 2016: Research Associate, CCMRC, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
- 2008 – 2015: Research Associate, Cardiff CLL Research Group, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
- 2007 – 2008: Research Technician, Dept. of Child Health, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
- 2003 – 2007: PhD Studentship, Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff UK
Honours and awards
CUKC Poster Scholar 2015 - China-UK Cancer Conference, Cardiff, UK (July 2015)
- “Identification of an NF-kB-Dependent CD38 Positive Feedback Loop in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL)”
Postgraduate Researcher Poster Prize - Cardiff School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Postgraduate Research Day, Cardiff, UK (March 2005)
- “Elevated Src kinase activity promotes an aggressive tumour cell phenotype in endocrine-resistant breast cancer”
Speaking engagements
- 2016 – Invited speaker at China-UK Cancer Conference 2016 (Beijing, China)
- 2016 – CCMRC Winter Academic Meeting (Cardiff, UK)
- 2014 – European NF-kB Workshop (Pitlochry, Scotland, UK)
- 2012 – Site visit for Bloodwise (formerly LLR) grant application (Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK)
- 2011 – Division of Cancer & Genetics Seminar (Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK)
- 2010 – Division of Infection & Immunity Seminar (Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK)
- 2009 – Division of Cancer & Genetics (Haematology) Seminar (Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK)
Engagement
- Frequent participant in the ‘Science in Health Live’ programme run by Cardiff University School of Medicine.
- Active contributor to research open days held for members of the public by charities such as CRUK.