Join us to celebrate a special milestone for our new professors and hear about their inspiring career journeys. Doors for this event will open at 16.45, with the lectures to commence at 17.00. A drinks reception will be held immediately after the lecture at 18:00.

Professor Aileen King

Tackling diabetes: how islets are like a football team 

Abstract

In my inaugural lecture, "Tackling Diabetes: How Islets Are Like a Football Team," I will reflect on my career journey in diabetes research, with a particular focus on improving outcomes in islet transplantation. Using the analogy of a football team, I will illustrate the challenges islets encounter when transplanted into a new environment and explore strategies to enhance their survival and function. I will also share how a chance finding led to the discovery of the KINGS mouse, a novel model we have used to investigate sex differences in diabetes. 

Biography

Aileen King is a Professor in Integrative Diabetes Research. Her journey into diabetes research began during a placement year while studying for her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Ulster. She went on to complete her PhD at Uppsala University in Sweden, followed by postdoctoral training at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard University. Aileen joined King’s College London in 2006 as an RCUK Research Fellow and was appointed Lecturer in 2011. Her current research focuses on improving outcomes in islet transplantation and exploring sex differences in islet biology. In addition to her research, Aileen is a dedicated educator and currently serves as Head of the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics.  

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Professor Manasi Nandi

Pivots, patterns and equity 

Abstract

I began my research career as a laboratory bench scientist, integrating pharmacology and physiology to study drug effects on the heart, blood vessels, and lungs—contributing to medicines development. Since joining King’s, I’ve balanced dual roles as educator and scientist. As an educator, I’ve designed innovative courses embedding authentic assessments to nurture diverse skillsets and empower student success.

My research has pivoted from wet lab science to data science, including co-inventing a technology that uncovers new patterns in vital signs. A sustained commitment to equity underpins all aspects of my work, with a focus on exposing and addressing structural barriers in healthcare and education. In this lecture, I’ll reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped my career—sharing how simplifying complex data and concepts, can help drive more equitable and accessible teaching, research, and healthcare. 

Biography

Manasi Nandi gained her BSc in Pharmacology from University College London in 1999, including an industrial placement. She completed her PhD and postdoctoral training at UCL’s Institute of Child Health and Department of Clinical Pharmacology, focusing on nitric oxide-regulating proteins in conditions like neonatal pulmonary hypertension and septic shock.

In 2009, she joined King’s College London as a Lecturer. As an educator, she leads two final-year Pharmacology modules. She has actively contributed to EDI initiatives, including the Humanising Healthcare podcast. Her research explores how extracting new information from vital sign data could more sensitively detect drug effects or predict early clinical deterioration in conditions including septic shock and COPD. She was elected to Professor at King’s College London in 2024.