Nia Cwyfan Hughes

Health and Care Research Wales Faculty award:

Award: Health PhD Studentship Scheme

Project title: Modulating Immune Responses to Control Virus Infection

Biography

Nia is a PhD student examining the impact of the human β-herpes virus, HCMV, on the immune system. Her current work examining HCMVs impact on the immune response is concentrated on investigating the viruses interaction and modulation of Dendritic cells and its impact on their function, especially in regards to inducing a T-cell specific immune response.  She is also identifying and designing small molecule inhibitors against key viral target proteins as potential future therapeutics via initial computational screening. Nia's interests stem from a background of Biochemistry (BSc) and Immunology (MSc).