Charles Affourtit

Academic profile

Dr Charles Affourtit

Associate Head of School - Research
School of Biomedical Sciences (Faculty of Health)

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The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Charles's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

Goal 03: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

About Charles

Research - Mitochondrial Biology

Current lab members

Ms Rebecca Brittain - PhD student

Mr Jamie Blackwell - research fellow

Miss Jasmin Freeman - placement student

Miss Rucha Joshi - placement student

Miss Kate Haswell - placement student

Mr Joseph McErlean - placement student

Past lab members

Dr Rosie Donnell - PhD Student
Dr Jane Carre - Research Fellow (now University of Plymouth)
Mr Anthony Wynne - Research Associate (now Stericycle)

Dr Helen McKenna - University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Dr Raid Nisr - Research Associate (now University of Dundee)
Dr Verena Hirschberg Jensen - Research Associate (now University of Copenhagen)
Dr Jonathan Barlow - PhD Student (now University of Birmingham)
Mr Hubert Bieluczyk - Research Associate (now The Pensions Regulator)
Mr Ben Alberts - Research Associate (now Oxford Biomedica)
Mr Joshua Reed - Summer Student (now Swansea University)
Teaching
Module Leader (BHCS1003 - Human Metabolism)
Lecturer (Foundation, Stages 1-3)
Personal Tutor
Dissertation Project Advisor

Supervised Research Degrees

Dr Rosie Donnell (PhD, 2022) - Nitrite and insulin lower the oxygen cost of ATP synthesis in skeletal muscle cells by pleiotropic stimulation of glycolysis

Dr Jonathan Barlow (PhD, 2015) - Mitochondrial involvement in pancreatic beta cell glucolipotoxicity

Teaching

  • Cellular bioenergetics
  • Mitochondrial physiology
  • Redox biology
  • Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolic control and regulation
  •  Biochemical basis of disease 
To me, teaching and research are intimately linked activities, as I appreciate the importance of transferring cutting-edge knowledge and, perhaps more importantly, as I wish to inspire and enthuse the next generation of researchers. I currently teach fundamental biochemistry to undergraduates at all stages of various degree programmes and, firmly informed by my research, I show how this basic science underpins the development of metabolic disorders, and how it drives disease diagnosis and management. My lab engages actively with undergraduate (summer, placement and dissertation projects) and postgraduate (PhD and MSc projects) students to prepare them for independent research careers.

Contact Charles

R2RL24, John Bull Building, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BU