Dr Rowan Hardy

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research group is examining the roles of myeloid and mesenchymal steroid metabolism and signalling in mediating inflammatory disease pathophysiology and systemic complications in muscle and bone, identifying novel strategies to improve the safety profile of therapeutic glucocorticoids. This research involves world leading national and international collaboration across multiple centres of excellence at the UoB, including the MRC/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research (CMAR), and the Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC).

Research Groups

Inflammation and Ageing

Department of Metabolism and Systems Science

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Collaborative, supportive, spontaneous.

Provision of Training

I like to Train my students collaboratively across the Institutes that I work across to ensure a wide breadth of technical training and experience. However, I enjoy getting in the lab and supporting with training and experimental delivery when the opportunity arises.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I conduct weekly lab meetings within my research group where we focus on strategic experimental planning and shared problem solving. In addition, I always aim to maintain regular weekly one to one sessions to support personal research goals and career plans.

Communication

We generally communicate in person during the day or by email. We also have an informal WhatsApp group chat where we can reach each other in 'lab emergencies' or when social events are being planned.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per week

Meetings will mainly be face to face, and I am usually contactable for an instant response on every working day.

Working Pattern

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Mechanistic Role of Steroid Metabolism in Macrophage Polarisation and CD8+ T Cell Recruitment in the Tumour Microenvironment

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Mechanistic Role of Steroid Metabolism in Macrophage Polarisation and CD8+ T Cell Recruitment in the Tumour Microenvironment

Secondary Supervisor(s): Prof Clare Davies

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes: Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Pharmaceuticals)

Project Outline

Project Rationale

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a central role in shaping the tumour microenvironment through their ability to polarise between pro-inflammatory (M1-like) and tolerogenic (M2-like) states. This balance governs the recruitment and activation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and ultimately determines whether tumours are controlled or progress. Endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are important regulators of this process, promoting M2-like polarisation. The availability of GCs is highly dependent on local metabolism and activation of steroids that in turn amplify signalling within macrophages. We have shown that steroid metabolism is induced in inflammatory microenvironments functioning as a switch towards an M2-like phenotype. This raises the possibility that local metabolism acts as a key mechanistic regulator of immune balance in tumours by limiting CD8+ T cell recruitment and anti-tumour immune responses.

Objectives

1. Define the mechanistic role of steroid metabolism in macrophage polarisation under inflammatory and stress-induced settings.

2. Investigate how macrophage steroid metabolism influences CD8+ T cell recruitment and activation in co-culture models of the tumour microenvironment.

3. Establish the signalling pathways and cytokine networks through which steroid metabolism shapes cross-talk between macrophages, tumour cells, and T cells.

Approach and Impact

The project will use human macrophage cultures, tumour co-culture systems, and functional assays including cytokine profiling, T cell migration, and pathway analysis to uncover how steroid metabolism shapes immune–tumour interaction. By linking molecular events in steroid activation to immune behaviour, this work will provide mechanistic insight into macrophage plasticity and CD8+ T cell biology in inflamed tissues.

Co-supervisor on a project with: Dr Fotis Spyropoulos