Dr Ahmed Elbediwy
Faculties, departments and locations
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
- Penrhyn Road
Senior Lecturer and Course Leader BSc Biochemistry
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone number:
- 02084174199
About
In 2019, I embarked on an exciting new chapter by joining ΞΆΓάΘ¦ as a Lecturer in Clinical Biochemistry. This followed a highly successful research career, including a postdoctoral position at the prestigious Francis Crick Institute and earning my PhD from University College London (UCL). My research during this period led to several high-impact Q1 publications that significantly advanced the field of cancer signaling.
While at the Francis Crick Institute, I developed my teaching skills through a collaboration with UCL, which earned me an Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA). Additionally, I forged strong industrial partnerships with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), working together on a chemical screen to identify potential cancer-inhibiting drugs.
Upon joining ΞΆΓάΘ¦, I quickly integrated into the Biomolecular Science teaching team. Within my first year, I achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and was promoted to Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BSc Biochemistry in 2020. By 2023, I had also taken on the role of Course Leader for BSc Biological Sciences. My innovative teaching methods were recognized with numerous nominations over the years and four awards from the ΞΆΓάΘ¦ Students Union Academic Impact Awards for 'Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Teaching' in the following categories:
- Most Engaging Teaching
- Most Student Friendly Staff
- Outstanding Contribution to the Student Experience
- Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Teaching
I have also been nominated for multiple ΞΆΓάΘ¦ Alliance awards, a ΞΆΓάΘ¦ Peoples award and a THE award.
My teaching philosophy is centered around the students, providing them with the resources, support, and tools they need to reach their full potential. As a forward-thinking leader, I am committed to continuously improving and advancing teaching practices in my field. I have been involved in various university working groups, including revamping the teaching management guide and implementing academic integrity measures. In collaboration with the School Director of Learning and Teaching, I successfully reaccredited the Biochemistry course with the Royal Society of Biology in 2021, revalidated both courses i was responsible for and participated in the 'Diversifying Leadership' course by Advanced HE.
I am passionate about promoting diversity and am actively involved in the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion working group and the Athena Swan working group. My dedication to teaching excellence was recognized with a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2022. I also engage in pedagogic research, collaborating with colleagues across departments and faculties. My research, include papers on barriers faced by Level 4 students, student carer obligations, FE to HE transition and integration of reflective practice, with all leading to significant improvements in the university.
In addition to my academic roles, I am a certified mental health first aider, holding a Level 3 RSPH Mental Health qualification to support students with mental health concerns. My holistic approach to education and unwavering commitment to student success drive me to be a supportive and influential figure in the academic community.
I am research heavy in the cancer signalling field and have supervised a large range of PhD and MScR students.
Qualifications
- SFHEA (2022)
- Advance HE Online Professional Development Course for External Examiners (2020)
- FHEA (2019)
- AFHEA (2018)
- Mental Health First Aider (2023)
- Level 3 RSPH Mental Health (2023)
- DPhil in Molecular Cell Biology (University College London) (2013)
- B.Sc (Hons) in Molecular Biology (Queen Mary, University of London) (2005)
Domains
Module Leader
- LS6005 - Clinical Chemistry and Haematology
Teaching Responsibilities: Modules Taught
BSc
- LS4002: The Biochemical Foundations of Life
- LS4003: Scientific and Laboratory Skills
- LS5001: Molecular Biology of the Cell
- LS5002: Proteins and Metabolism
- LS5008: Infection and Immunity
- LS5022: Research Skills
- LS5023: Medical Genetics
- LS6003: Chemotherapy of Infectious & Neoplastic Disease
- LS6005: Clinical Chemistry and Haematology
- LS6007: Clinical Applications of Biomedical Sciences
- LS6014: Project (Bioscience)
MSc
- LS7001: Research Techniques and Scientific Communication
- LS7002: Immunology and the Biology of Disease
- LS7010: Research Project
Qualifications
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Teaching Award Winner 2022
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Course director
Courses taught
My research focuses on cancer biology. This can be investigated on the molecular level as well as with the use of therapeutic compounds:
Some project titles include:
- Signalling pathways in cancer initiation
- Naturally occurring compounds and cancer inhibition
- The Extracellular Matrix and disease
- Effect of metabolism on signalling pathways
- Repurposing of drugs for cancer treatment
I have had a successful PhD completion (Dr Simge Karagil) who graduated in 2023, and have been involved with a number of PhD and MScR students as first supervisor and co-supervisor who have completed or are about to complete.
I have successfully been awarded a GRS fellowship in 2019, and have applied for grants as co-investigator with a number of academics.
Specialisms
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Leadership expertise
- BSc Biological Science Course Leader (2023-2025)
- BSc Biochemistry Course Leader (Current)
- Admissions tutor BSc Biochemistry
- Diversifying Leadership by Advanced HE attendee
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
External expertise
- Newton fellowship grant reviewer
- Newton International Fellowship
- External Examiner for MSc Biomedical Science at UEL
University responsibilities
- EDI member
- Athena Swan member
- REF 2022 output reviewer
- Internal Subject Review and Validation Panel member
- Member of the teaching management guide working group
- Member of the Academic integrity working group
- Academic Mentoring Champion
- Winner of four academic impact awards
- Nominated for two Alliance awards 2023: The Braveheart Award & The Professionals Award
- Nominated for KU People Award
Publications
How natural therapies can combat neoplastic disease by targeting key survival mechanisms and signaling pathways
Karagil, Simge, Szczesnowska, Aleksandra, Haddad, Natalia, Magura Gamaethige, Sara, Coakley, Ellen, Dawood, Nabila, Rama, Vernard J., Barker, James, Langat, Moses K., Morgan, Huda, Wehida, Nadine and Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2025, Therapeutics (2), 1, pp 5
The identification of student carers and the burden of their caring responsibilities on academic engagement and student life
James, Jewel, Bellaouane, Lydia, Ottley, Chyrell, Shearman, Gemma, Whiting, Karen, Elbediwy, Ahmed and Gould, Simon, 2024, New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences (19)
Investigating the transitional barriers university students face when moving from further education ; what are the potential issues they may meet?
Fellingham, Angela, Shuwara, Taslima, St Amand, Taina, Gunawan, Felicia, Gould, Simon, Elbediwy, Ahmed and Gould, Simon, 2024, New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences (19)
Drug repurposing : exploring potential anti-cancer strategies by targeting cancer signalling pathways
Haddad, Natalia, Magura Gamaethige, Sara, Wehida, Nadine and Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2024, Biology (13), 6, pp 386
Evaluate the benefits of early embedding reflective practice into student experience and personal skill development
Bellaouane, Lydia, James, Jewel, Darwiche, Sally, Williams, Aaron, Piper, Ian, Whiting, Karen and Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2024, New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences (19)
Investigating barriers that prevent students attaining their full potential during their degree
Mihai-Costea, Adrian, Hersi, Nasra, Abu, Lija, Gunawan, Felicia, Coakley, Ellen, Gould, Simon and Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2023, New Directions in the Teaching of Natural Sciences (18), 1
Mechanosensing and the Hippo pathway in microglia : a potential link to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis
Bruno, Lucrezia, Karagil, Simge, Mahmood, Almas, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Stolinski, Michael and Mackenzie, Francesca, 2021, Cells (10), 11, pp 3144
Dysfunctional mechanotransduction through the YAP/TAZ/Hippo pathway as a feature of chronic disease
Cobbaut, Mathias, Karagil, Simge, Bruno, Lucrezia, de Loza, Maria Del Carmen Diaz, Mackenzie, Francesca E, Stolinski, Michael and Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2020, Cells (9), 1, pp 151
Mask family proteins ANKHD1 and ANKRD17 regulate YAP nuclear import and stability
Sidor, Clara, Borreguero-Munoz, Nerea, Fletcher, Georgina C, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Guillermin, Oriane and Thompson, Barry J, 2019, eLIFE (2019), 8, pp e48601
The Hippo pathway integrates PI3K-Akt signals with mechanical and polarity cues to control tissue growth
Borreguero-Munoz, Nerea, Fletcher, Georgina C., Aguilar-Aragon, Mario, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vincent-Mistiaen, Zoe I. and Thompson, Barry J., 2019, PLoS Biology (17), 10, pp e3000509
First person – Mathias Cobbaut and Ahmed Elbediwy
Cobbaut, Mathias and Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2019, Journal of Cell Science (132), 8, pp jcs231928
The Rho family GEF FARP2 is activated by aPKCΞΉ to control tight junction formation and polarity
Elbediwy, Ahmed, Zhang, Yixiao, Cobbaut, Mathias, Riou, Philippe, Tan, Ray S., Roberts, Selene K., Tynan, Chris, George, Roger, Kjaer, Svend, Martin-Fernandez, Marisa L., Thompson, Barry J., McDonald, Neil Q. and Parker, Peter J., 2019, Journal of Cell Science (132), 8, pp 223743
First person – Ahmed Elbediwy
Elbediwy, Ahmed, 2018, Journal of Cell Science (131), 22
Enigma proteins regulate YAP mechanotransduction
Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vanyai, Hannah, Diaz-de-la-Loza, Maria-del-Carmen, Frith, David, Snijders, Ambrosius P. and Thompson, Barry J., 2018, Journal of Cell Science (131), 22, pp jcs22178
YAP drives cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma formation and progression
Vincent-Mistiaen, Zoe, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vanyai, Hannah, Cotton, Jennifer, Stamp, Gordon, Nye, Emma, Spencer-Dene, Bradley, Thomas, Gareth J, Mao, Junhao and Thompson, Barry, 2018, eLife (7), pp e33304
Evolution of mechanotransduction via YAP/TAZ in animal epithelia
Elbediwy, Ahmed and Thompson, Barry J, 2018, Current Opinion in Cell Biology (51), pp 117-123
Pak1 kinase maintains apical membrane identity in epithelia
Aguilar-Aragon, Mario, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Foglizzo, Valentina, Fletcher, Georgina C, Li, Vivian S.W. and Thompson, Barry J., 2018, Cell Reports (22), 7, pp 1639-1646
aPKC inhibition by Par3 CR3 flanking regions controls substrate access and underpins apical-junctional polarization
Soriano, Erika V., Ivanova, Marina E., Fletcher, Georgina, Riou, Philippe, Knowles, Philip P., Barnouin, Karin, Purkiss, Andrew, Kostelecky, Brenda, Saiu, Peter, Linch, Mark, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Kjær, Svend, O'Reilly, Nicola, Snijders, Ambrosius P, Parker, Peter J., Thompson, Barry J. and McDonald, Neil Q., 2016, Developmental Cell (38), 4, pp 384-398
YAP and TAZ in epithelial stem cells : a sensor for cell polarity, mechanical forces and tissue damage.
Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vincent-Mistiaen, Zoe I. and Thompson, Barry J., 2016, BioEssays (38), 7, pp 644-653
Shot and Patronin polarise microtubules to direct membrane traffic and biogenesis of microvilli in epithelia
Khanal, Ichha, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Diaz de la Loza, Maria Del Carmen, Fletcher, Georgina C. and Thompson, Barry J., 2016, Journal of Cell Science (129), 13, pp 2651-2659
Integrin signalling regulates YAP and TAZ to control skin homeostasis
Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vincent-Mistiaen, Zoe I., Spencer-Dene, Bradley, Stone, Richard K., Boeing, Stefan, Wculek, Stefanie K., Cordero, Julia, Tan, Ee H., Ridgway, Rachel, Brunton, Val G., Sahai, Erik, Gerhardt, Holger, Behrens, Axel, Malanchi, Ilaria, Sansom, Owen J. and Thompson, Barry J., 2016, Development (143), 10, pp 1674-1687
The Spectrin cytoskeleton regulates the Hippo signalling pathway
Fletcher, Georgina C, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Khanal, Ichha, Ribeiro, Paulo S, Tapon, Nic and Thompson, Barry J, 2015, The EMBO Journal (34), 7, pp 940-954
MarvelD3 couples tight junctions to the MEKK1-JNK pathway to regulate cell behavior and survival
Steed, Emily, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vacca, Barbara, Dupasquier, Sebastien, Hemkemeyer, Sandra A., Suddason, Tesha, Costa, Ana C., Beaudry, Jean-Bernard, Zihni, Ceniz, Gallagher, Ewen, Pierreux, Christophe E., Balda, Maria S. and Matter, Karl, 2014, Journal of Cell Biology (204), 5, pp 821-838
Dbl3 drives Cdc42 signaling at the apical margin to regulate junction position and apical differentiation
Zihni, Ceniz, Munro, Peter M. G., Elbediwy, Ahmed, Keep, Nicholas H., Terry, Stephen J., Harris, John, Balda, Maria S. and Matter, Karl, 2014, Journal of Cell Biology (204), 1, pp 111-127
Stimulation of cortical myosin phosphorylation by p114RhoGEF drives cell migration and tumor cell invasion
Terry, Stephen J., Elbediwy, Ahmed, Zihni, Ceniz, Harris, Andrew R., Bailly, Maryse, Charras, Guillaume T., Balda, Maria S. and Matter, Karl, 2012, PLoS One (7), 11, pp e50188
Epithelial junction formation requires confinement of Cdc42 activity by a novel SH3BP1 complex
Elbediwy, Ahmed, Zihni, Ceniz, Terry, Stephen J., Clark, Peter, Matter, Karl and Balda, Maria S., 2012, Journal of Cell Biology (198), 4, pp 677-693
Spatially restricted activation of RhoA signalling at epithelial junctions by p114RhoGEF drives junction formation and morphogenesis
Terry, Stephen J., Zihni, Ceniz, Elbediwy, Ahmed, Vitiello, Elisa, Leefa Chong San, Isabelle V., Balda, Maria S. and Matter, Karl, 2011, Nature Cell Biology (13), 2, pp 159-166
Gallery of work
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Union of ΞΆΓάΘ¦ Students: Academic Impact Awards 2022
Winner: Outstanding Contribution to Learning and Teaching
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Union of ΞΆΓάΘ¦ Students: Academic Impact Awards 2022
At the ceremony
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My Completed PhD student (Simge Karagil)
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My undergraduate project student who won best project in Dept of Applied and Human Sciences
Graduation 2023
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My undergraduate project student who won the Oxford University Press Prize
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Biomedical Science students at graduation
Graduation 2023
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Union of ΞΆΓάΘ¦ Students: Academic Impact Awards 2023
At the ceremony
