Team

Richard Mort — Senior Lecturer in Cell and Developmental Biology
Richard studied Experimental Pathology in Edinburgh before completing a PhD with Dr. John West on eye development. He spent eight years at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine in Edinburgh working with Prof. Ian Jackson before moving to Lancaster to establish an independent group. His research spans melanocyte development, Fucci2a biosensor development, and pigmentation genetics.

John Pooley — Postdoctoral Research Associate
John previously held a postdoctoral position at the University of Bath. He is currently working on melanoma and primary cilia in the Mort Lab.

Leah Pomfret — Postdoctoral Research Associate
Leah completed her PhD in the Mort Lab at Lancaster University. She is now investigating the roles of melanoma and primary cilia as a postdoc in the group.
Marcus Preedy — Postdoctoral Research Associate
Marcus completed his PhD at the University of Manchester under the supervision of Prof. Mike White. He is currently studying the genetics of pigmentation using the Dalmatian as a model system.

Aro Nugawela — Postdoctoral Research Associate
Aro completed her PhD with Prof. Paul McKean at Lancaster University before moving to a postdc in York. She’s currently working on next-generation cell cycle biosensors and expansion microscopy.

Melissa Wright — PhD Student
Melissa holds an MSc in Animal Welfare and is now pursuing her PhD in the Mort Lab, investigating the genetics of coat colour and heat stress responses in dairy cattle.
Alumni
- Dr. Emma Wilkinson (Postdoc, Mort Lab)
- Dr. Tiernan Briggs (PhD, Mort Lab)
- Dr. Louise Brennan (PhD, Mort Lab)
- Dr. Matthew Ford (PhD, Mort Lab)
- Dr. Olivia Harrison (PhD, Mort Lab)