Division of Pharmacy & Optometry

Organisation profile

The Division of Pharmacy and Optometry is a division of the School of Health Sciences.

The merging of Pharmacy with Optometry allows for broader research and teaching into the drug industry and our eye health and enhancement.

Our research focuses on four main areas:

Medicines: design and delivery

We aim to address the challenges faced in developing new clinically viable therapies, integrating structural, analytical, computational and synthetic chemistry with expertise in target biology.

We develop understanding in how and why therapies work in the body, using imaging techniques and computer modelling.

Our group comprises pharmacists, medicinal chemists, molecular pharmacologists, biochemists, modellers, biophysicists and biologists.

Related centres:

Patients: diagnosis and therapy

We study clinical disease biology, identify targets suitable for therapeutic intervention and develop clinically relevant in vitro and in vivo models of disease.

We assess the efficacy of drug treatments, and find biological markers that can predict the likelihood of developing a disease.

Our group comprises pharmacists, cancer and cardiovascular biologists, neuropharmacologists, developmental biologists and microbiologists.

Related centres:

Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR)

Optometry and vision science

We work on basic science and clinical projects to improve our understanding of structure and function of the human visual system.

We translate new knowledge into useful clinical tests, devices and commercial products.

Our group comprises optometrists with a wide range of research backgrounds, neuroscientists, ophthalmologists and biologists.

Related centre:

Eurolens Research

Drug usage and pharmacy practice

Our research seeks to improve medicines use and safety in society, and inform pharmacy policy and workforce behaviour, including education.

We are developing, implementing and evaluating new models and systems of healthcare practice with the ultimate aim of ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines.

Our multi-disciplinary team includes epidemiologists, social scientists, statisticians, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Related centres:

Head of division

Professor Kaye Williams

Our researchers

View a list of researchers in the division

Contact

Alyssa Piasecki, PA to Professor Williams

email: [email protected]

Leon Aarons, BSc, MSc, PhD
- Leon.Aaronsmanchester.acuk
- Pharmacy - Professor
Person: Academic
Chidinma Akaihe
- chidinma.akaihepostgrad.manchester.acuk
- Division of Pharmacy & Optometry
Person: Doctor of Philosophy
Zahraa Al-Ahmadyv, BSc. MSc. PhD.
- Pharmacy - Honorary Research Fellow
Person: Academic
Enas Al-Ani
- enas.al-animanchester.acuk
- Pharmacy - Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science
Person: Academic
David Allison, B.Sc., Ph.D.
- David.Allisonmanchester.acuk
- Pharmacy - Reader
Person: Academic

10-year multimorbidity patterns among people with and without rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: an observational cohort study using linked electronic health records from Wales, UK
Jalali-najafabadi, F., Bailey, R., Lyons, J., Akbari, A., Dhafari, T. B., Azadbakht, N., Rafferty, J., Watkins, A., Martin, G. P., Bowes, J., Lyons, R. A., Barton, A. & Peek, N., 19 Jun 2024, In: BMJ Open. 14, 6, e079169.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access
Adaptation at the Extremes of Life: Experimental Evolution with the Extremophile Archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius
Al-Baqsami, Z., Lowry Palmer, R., Darwent, G., McBain, A. J., Knight, C. G. & Gifford, D. R., 14 Jun 2024, In: Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE. 208
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Adaptive Optics Correctors
Hampson, K., 2 Sept 2024, Handbook of Adaptive Optics: From Foundations to Applications. Fernandez, E. J. (ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, p. 20-38 29 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
Adaptive Optics for Microscopy
Booth, M. & Hampson, K., 2 Sept 2024, Handbook of Adaptive Optics: From Foundations to Applications. CRC Press, p. 41-58 18 p.
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
A formative qualitative evaluation of an improvement programme delivered in an English hospital trust to reduce harm from pressure ulcers.
Dallow, A. (Lead), Goldthorpe, K., Murphy, P., Phipps, D. & Rostami, P., 6 Aug 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: BMJ Open Quality. 13, 3, e002532.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Open Access

4 Not started
12 Active
94 Finished

Drug-repurposing thiazolidinediones for vascular dementia (award)
Huang, J. (PI), Jenkins, D. (CoI), Chen, L.-C. (CoI), Rutter, M. (CoI) & Cadar, D. (CoI)
1/09/24 → 31/08/25
Project: Research
Can plant-derived extracellular vesicles improve outcomes in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity?
Westwood, M. (PI), Cottrell, E. (CoI), Desforges, M. (CoI), Dilworth, M. (CoI), Mann, E. (CoI), Mcbain, A. (CoI) & Stevens, A. (CoI)
1/05/24 → 30/04/27
Project: Research
NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre
Bruce, I. (PI), Lord, G. (CoI), Lennon, R. (CoI), Black, G. (CoI), Wedge, D. (CoI), Morris, A. (CoI), Hussell, T. (CoI), Sharrocks, A. (CoI), Stivaros, S. (CoI), Buch, M. (CoI), Gough, J. (CoI), Kostarelos, K. (CoI), Thistlethwaite, F. (CoI), Kadler, K. (CoI), Barton, A. (CoI), Hyrich, K. (CoI), Mcbeth, J. (CoI), O'Neill, T. (CoI), Vestbo, J. (CoI), Simpson, A. (CoI), Singh, S. (CoI), Smith, J. (CoI), Felton, T. (CoI), Murray, C. (CoI), Griffiths, C. (CoI), Cullum, N. (CoI), Rhodes, L. (CoI), Warren, R. (CoI), Paus, R. (CoI), Dumville, J. (CoI), Viros Usandizaga, A. (CoI), Keavney, B. (CoI), Tomaszewski, M. (CoI), Allan, S. (CoI), Body, R. (CoI), Cartwright, E. (CoI), Heagerty, A. (CoI), Kalra, P. (CoI), Miller, C. (CoI), Rutter, M. (CoI), Smith, C. (CoI), Trafford, A. (CoI), Evans, D. (CoI), Crosbie, E. (CoI), Crosbie, P. (CoI), Harvie, M. (CoI), Howell, S. (CoI), Renehan, A. (CoI), Dive, C. (CoI), Blackhall, F. (CoI), Landers, D. (CoI), Krebs, M. (CoI), Cook, N. (CoI), Clarke, R. (CoI), Taylor, S. (CoI), Jorgensen, C. (CoI), Lorigan, P. (CoI), Jayson, G. (CoI), Valle, J. (CoI), Mccabe, M. (CoI), Armstrong, A. (CoI), Freitas, A. (CoI), Illidge, T. (CoI), Choudhury, A. (CoI), Hoskin, P. (CoI), West, C. (CoI), Van Herk, M. (CoI), Faivre-Finn, C. (CoI), Bristow, R. (CoI), Kirkby, K. (CoI), Birtle, A. (CoI), Mackay, R. (CoI), Radford, J. (CoI), Linton, K. (CoI), Higham, C. (CoI), Munro, K. (CoI), Plack, C. (CoI), Arden Armitage, C. (CoI), Bruce, I. (CoI), Moore, D. (CoI), Saunders, G. (CoI), Stone, M. (CoI), Haddock, G. (CoI), Lewis, S. (CoI), Elliott, R. (CoI), Green, J. (CoI), Lovell, K. (CoI), Morrison, A. (CoI), Shaw, J. (CoI), Bucci, S. (CoI), Ainsworth, J. (CoI), Webb, R. (CoI), Newman, W. (CoI), Banka, S. (CoI), Clayton-Smith, J. (CoI), Payne, K. (CoI), Moldovan, R. (CoI), Wynn, R. (CoI) & Jones, S. (CoI)
1/12/22 → 30/11/27
Project: Research
RENAL_HF: Personalising renal function monitoring and interventions in people living with heart failure: RENAL-HF (AWARD)
Ashcroft, D. (PI), Arden Armitage, C. (CoI), Brown, B. (CoI), Dowding, D. (CoI), Machin, M. (CoI), Peek, N. (CoI) & Bartlett, M. (CoI)
1/10/21 → 30/09/26
Project: Research
MUARG: Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group
Buffel, T. (Researcher), Doran, P. (Researcher), Bagnall, K. (Researcher), Barron, A. (Researcher), Cotterell, N. (Researcher), Goff, M. (Researcher), Hammond, M. (Researcher), Lang, L. (Researcher), Lewis, A. (Researcher), Lewis, C. (Researcher), Mcgarry, P. (Researcher), Nazroo, J. (Researcher), Yarker, S. (Researcher), Phillipson, C. (Researcher), Swift, L. (Researcher), Tenquist, M. (Researcher), White, S. (Researcher), Zhang, N. (Researcher) & Deng, M. (Researcher)
23/06/21 → …
Project: Research

Biologics registers for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: enhancing access to novel therapies and balancing drug safety concerns versus effectiveness
Hyrich, K. (Participant), Bruce, I. (Participant), Griffiths, C. (Participant), Warren, R. (Participant), Symmons, D. (Participant), Ashcroft, D. (Participant), Dixon, W. (Participant), Lunt, M. (Participant), Yiu, Z. (Participant) & Mercer, L. (Participant)
Impact: Health and wellbeing
Community pharmacy: improving access to medicines and pharmacists
Noyce, P. (Participant), Hassell, K. (Participant), Rogers, A. (Participant), Cantrill, J. (Participant), Schafheutle, E. (Participant), Ashcroft, D. (Participant), Bradley, F. (Participant) & Elvey, R. (Participant)
Impact: Health impacts
Creation of SkinBiotherapeutics PLC
(Corresponding participant) & Mcbain, A. (Participant)
Impact: Economic, Health and wellbeing
Dosing for groups of patients who were not served previously by conventional drug information.
Amin Rostami-Hochaghan (Participant)
Impact
Drug Development: Influences on Regulatory Policies and Industrial Practices
Rowland, M. (Participant), Houston, J. (Participant), Aarons, L. (Participant), Galetin, A. (Participant) & Rostami-Hodjegan, A. (Participant)
Impact: Health impacts

Reforming primary care in England: Challenges and opportunities
Mcdermott, I. (Speaker)
24 Oct 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
Why is getting a GP appointment so difficult and what can we do about it?
Mcdermott, I. (Speaker)
23 Sept 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research
Manchester Pharmacy Education Conference
Catherine Porter (Poster presenter)
24 Jun 2024
Activity: Participating in or organising event(s) › Participating in a conference, workshop, exhibition, performance, inquiry, course etc › Teaching and Research
Eye IPE
Catherine Porter (Speaker)
16 Apr 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation › Teaching and Research
Autism, Vision and Eyecare
Parmar, K. (Speaker) & Gowen, E. (Speaker)
30 Jan 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk › Research