My research focuses on understanding the role of the spinal cord in the development of chronic pain, using calcium imaging approaches. I investigate these processes in both arthritis models and genetic contexts, including models involving the deletion of the sodium–calcium exchanger NCX3. Alongside this, I contribute to research into inflammatory pain using human iPSC models.

Please see my Research Profile for more details.

Key publications

• Trendafilova et al., 2022. Sodium-calcium exchanger-3 regulates pain "wind-up": From human psychophysics to spinal mechanisms. Neuron.
• van Griensven et al., 2020. Central Sensitization in Musculoskeletal Pain: Lost in Translation? Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy.
• Dawes et al., 2018. Immune or Genetic-Mediated Disruption of CASPR2 Causes Pain Hypersensitivity Due to Enhanced Primary Afferent Excitability. Neuron.
• Yum et al., 2021. Tracing oncogene-driven remodelling of the intestinal stem cell niche. Nature.
• Han et al., 2019. Defining the Identity and Dynamics of Adult Gastric Isthmus Stem Cells. Cell Stem Cell.

Key collaborators 

• Professor Franziska Denk, King's College London
• Dr George Goodwin, King's College London
• Professor David Bennett, University of Oxford