Holly Stephenson

Academic profile

Dr Holly Stephenson

Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Peninsula Medical School (Faculty of Health)

The Global Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Holly's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

Goal 03: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

About Holly

I joined the Peninsula Medical School as a Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in May 2022. I obtained my PhD from the Institute of Child Health at University College London, where I investigated the recognition of Campylobacter jejuni lipooligosaccharide and flagella by pattern recognition receptors on dendritic cells. Following this, I undertook postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, focusing on regulated macrophage cell death during immune responses in Drosophila melanogaster.Ìý

My current research explores the regulation of RNA in macrophages and glial cells in response to oxidative and proteotoxic stress. These stress responses can initiate inflammation, which plays a dual role: supporting host defense during acute infection while potentially contributing to disease pathogenesis in chronic inflammatory conditions, such as neurodegeneration and cancer.

Supervised Research Degrees

Current postgraduate research supervision:

  • Guy Austin – Director of Studies (October 2024 – present)
  • Jules Plant – Third Supervisor (April 2025 – present)

Teaching

My primary teaching focus is in Infection and Immunity. Within the BMBS programme at the Peninsula Medical School I hold a number of key educational roles, including:

  • Discipline Co-Lead for Immunology
  • Lead for 'Doctor as Educator' Student-Selected Unit (Year 2)
  • Co-Lead for 'MED003: Learning Skills and Professional Development for Medicine' module (Year 0)
  • Interprofessional Learning Facilitator (Year 1)
  • Enquiry-Based Learning Facilitator (Year 0)
  • Student-Selected Component 1 Facilitator (Year 1)
  • Academic Tutor (Years 0, 1, and 2)

In addition to my work on the BMBS programme, I also contribute to teaching on the Physician Associate Studies and Dental Therapy & Hygiene programmes.

My scholarship interests focus on advancing medical education through improved strategies for teaching teamwork skills and exploring how interactive, student-centred learning formats can enhance engagement and educational outcomes.

Contact Holly