Biography

After obtaining a bachelor´s degree in the University of Birmingham School of Biological Sciences and a PhD in the University of Leeds Department of Medicine I undertook postdoctoral research at the Universities of Manchester and Leeds and at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York.

In 1991 I came to the University of Sheffield when I was appointed to a non-clinical lectureship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. My work there centred on molecular biological investigations into gynaecological cancers and developing computerised approaches to teaching medicine.

In December 2000 I translocated as SL to the School of Nursing and Midwifery when the decision was taken to develop online postgraduate programmes. The Master of Midwifery programme finally went live in 2004 and was followed by masters programmes in Advanced Nursing Studies and Occupational Health Nursing.

Research Interests

My research interests are in the biology of ageing, the molecular and cell biology of cancer (especially gynaecological oncology) and using computers and the internet as educational tools.

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests are primarily in online distance learning but I am allowed out occasionally to meet real live students, often when there is a sniff of genetics, other aspects of biology or anything involving numbers. I also co-lead the first unit of the Postgraduate Pre-registration Adult Nursing Diploma course, which uses a problem-based learning approach.

Professional activities

I have held office in various professional societies, including acting as Hon. Secretary of the British Gynaecological Cancer Society and Executive Secretary for the International Gynecologic Cancer Society Congress in 2004.

Current Projects

Continuing development of the School´s online programmes provides a focus for both teaching and research interest. Ongoing PhD projects are investigating ear care, patient decision making in renal failure, errors and near misses in nurse prescribing, attitudes to healthcare in the UK Pakistani community and introducing problem based learning to nurse education in Saudi Arabia.

Key publications

1. Ibrahim, E M, Stewart, R L, Corke, K, Blackett, A D, Tidy, J A and Wells, M (2006) Upregulation of CD44 expression by interleukins 1,4,13, TGFβ1, oestrogen and progestogen in human cervical adenocarcinoma cell lines. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 16: 1631-1642.
2. Walker, D C, Brown, B H, Blackett, A D, Tidy, J A & Smallwood, R H. (2003) `A study of the morphological parameters of cervical squamous epithelium´ Physiological Measurement, 24: 121-135.
3. Jacobs, I J, Shepherd, J H, Oram, D H, Blackett, A D, Luesley, D M, Berchuck, A & Hudson, C N. (2002) `Ovarian Cancer´ 2nd Edition. Pub. Oxford University Press, Oxford.