Emily Friar

About

Emily is working on an interdisciplinary project that joins Chemistry and Biology, and her research aims to identify the cellular targets of a potential chemopreventive molecule, a Malaysian phytochemical known as pentamethoxyflavone (PMF). The compound has shown promise in preventing the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), the incidence of which has risen at an alarming rate in Malaysia and other southeast Asian countries. The project will involve chemical modification of the drug-candidate and analysis of its activity in cancer cells. The project involves working with a collaborator at UNIMAS in Malaysia, Dr Isabel Fong Lim. Emily will conduct training in her laboratory as she is an expert in the field of biological testing of PMF. Emily achieved her MChem degree in 2019 from the University of Warwick, and her Master’s research focused on improving the selectivity of platinum anticancer drugs to reduce their harmful side effects.

Supervision

Dr Christopher Serpell, School of Physical Sciences, and Professor Michelle Garrett, School of Biosciences.