Staff profile

Dr Kath Norman (she/her) received an MChem in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry from the University of York in 2016, including an industrial placement at GSK. She then moved to the University of Leeds to complete her PhD in Medicinal Chemistry under the supervision of Dr Richard Foster (Chemistry), Prof. David Beech and Mr Marc Bailey (both Medicine). This research focused on the synthesis and characterisation of novel small molecule inhibitors of a calcium ion channel implicated in pathological vascular remodelling. She also worked on recombinant membrane protein production, and virtual screening for potential new inhibitors This was funded by an MRC Discovery Medicine North (DiMeN) DTP studentship.

In 2020, Kath moved to Durham for postdoctoral work with Prof. Patrick Steel on the development of novel anti-leishmanial agents. She then started her current role as a Teaching Fellow in September 2021, where she teaches organic and biological chemistry and spends a lot of time in the synthetic teaching labs. She is the Chemistry Liaison Officer for the Natural Sciences Management Committee and LGBTQ+ department lead for the Chemistry EDI Committee. She also coordinates Chemistry research projects for the Masters in Data Science MSc programme.

Kath is passionate about science communication and outreach, particularly in engagement with the local area and working with underrepresented groups in Chemistry. She can be found promoting Chemistry at science festivals, open days and residentials throughout the year. Kath lives in North Durham with her wife and two cats.

Publications

Norman, K., Hemmings, K. E., Shawer, H., Appleby, H. A., Burnett, A. J., Hamzah, N., Gosain, R., Woodhouse, E. M., Beech, D. J., Foster, R., Bailey, M. A. (2024) Side-by-side comparison of published small molecule inhibitors against thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca²⁺ entry in HEK293 cells, PLoS ONE 19(1): e0296065. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296065

Milian, J. L., Norman, K., & Fern, N. (2022). Towards the Development of Interactive and Multifaceted Pre-Lab Exercises for Organic Chemistry Practical Classes. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Educational Alternatives, 20, 33-43 https://www.scientific-publications.net/en/article/1002371/

Shawer, H., Norman, K., Cheng, C., Foster, R., Beech, D. J., Bailey, M. A. (2021) ORAI1 Ca²⁺ Channel as a Therapeutic Target in Pathological Vascular Remodelling. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9, 653812 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.653812/full

Bartoli, F., Bailey, M. A., Rode, B., Mateo, P., Antigny, F., Bedouet, K., Gerbaud, P., Gosain, R., Plante, J., Norman, K. et al. (2020). Orai1 Channel Inhibition Preserves Left Ventricular Systolic Function and Normal Ca²⁺ Handling After Pressure Overload. Circulation, 141, 119–216 https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.038891

Rubaiy, H. N., Ludlow, M. J., Siems, K., Norman, K., Foster, R., Wolf, D., Beutler, J. A., Beech, D. J. (2018) Tonantzitlolone is a nanomolar potency activator of transient receptor potential canonical 1/4/5 channels. British Journal of Pharmacology, 175 (16), 3361–3368. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.14379

Journal Article

• Milian, J. L., Norman, K., & Fern, N. (2022). Towards the Development of Interactive and Multifaceted Pre-Lab Exercises for Organic Chemistry Practical Classes. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Educational Alternatives, 20, 33-43