Dr Daniel Kirby

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Based within the pharmaceutics laboratories of Aston Pharmacy School, my main area of research is the formulation of person-centred medicines for the extremes of life - paediatric and older populations - with a focus on the identification of priorities for further research in older, established medicines.

In an attempt to tackle the major issues, our research involves robust pharmaceutical characterisation for the development and mechanistic understanding of novel formulations and alternative dosage forms and their impact on improving clinical efficacy, acceptability and compliance, especially in children and the older population. Current research includes the development of patient-centric dosage forms, including investigations into how the properties of pharmaceutical excipients & absorption enhancers can be used to design and optimise formulations to enable the API to be delivered to the patient in the right form, in the right dose, at the right time.

Scientific Inspiration

Johnny Ball - inspired a generation of kids in the '80s (including me) with his engaging TV shows about science, technology and maths.

Research Groups

Pharmaceutical and Clinical Pharmacy Research Group

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, collaborative, understanding.

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, with more regular meetings and guidance, leading to more independence later. As much as possible, I strive to enable students to take ownership of the work, encouraging autonomy and open, collaborative discussions about the direction of research.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of method development/data generation results on a daily/weekly basis. I encourage ownership of your progression, working together to construct plans of action.

Communication

I will always try to make myself available and operate an open-door policy. I am occasionally known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Dr Kirby is supervising no projects this year.