Staff Profile
Dr Michele Sweeney
Lecturer
- Address: School Biomedical Sciences, 1st Floor Cookson Builidng, The Medical School, Âé¶¹´«Ã½, Âé¶¹´«Ã½ upon Tyne, NE2 4HH
Qualifications
Personal Development Course for External Examiners (Advance HE)
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Certificate in Advanced Studies of Academic Practice, Âé¶¹´«Ã½
Ph.D. - Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University College Dublin, Ireland
BSc. (Hons) Physiology major - University College Dublin, Ireland
Previous Positions
Teaching Fellow in Physiology (T & S) School of Biomedical Sciences, Âé¶¹´«Ã½
Research associate, Reproductive and Vascular Biology Group / Institute of Cellular Medicine, Âé¶¹´«Ã½
Grants and Publications Research Associate, Academic Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Manchester
Research Associate, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, The University of Manchester
Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, NY, USA
Postgraduate Researcher, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University College Dublin, Ireland
Teaching Assistant, Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, University College Dublin, Ireland
Current Roles and Responsibilities
School
Chair of Board of Examiners for Stage 3 and 4 (2019 - )
Chair of Board of Examiners for Stage 2 (2019 to 2025)
Academic Secretary for Stage 2 Board of Examiners (2025 - )
Co-Chair of Physiological Sciences Curriculum Committee (2023 - )
Chair of PEC Committee for Stage 3 (2019 - )
Member Stage 2 PEC Committee (2019 - )
Member of Phase 1 Curriculum Committee
Member of Board of Studies
University
Member of Cross Faculty Education Committee, FMS academic representative (2023 - )
Member of Library Advisory Group, FMS academic representative (2018 - )
Member of PEC Review Working Group (2022 - 2025)
Other
The Physiological Society, Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Representative
Memberships
The Physiological Society
Fellow of Higher Education Academy
I teach physiology and bioscience skills across a range of modules and degree programmes, as a lecturer, seminar leader, practical leader, assessment marker and undergraduate project supervisor.
Current modules to which I contribute:
Module leader
CMB1004 Cell Biology
PSC2020 Cardiovascular System Physiology
PSC3012 Integrated Physiology
Other
CMB1011 Professional and Practical Skills for Bioscientists
PSC1002 Physiology
PSC2002 Membrane Transport and Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
PSC2018 Human Anatomy for Physiologists
PSC2019 Renal and Respiratory Physiology
BMS2013 Practical and Presentation Skills in Biomedical Sciences
PSC3012 Integrated Physiology
CMB3000 Project supervisor
NUT1005 Human Physiology and Practical Skills
DEN1103 Dental Physiology
A100 and A1010 Case 3
Teaching Developments
I led a successful application for Faculty funding for new equipment used for physiology practicals (£189,000, 2015) across a range of degree programmes, and later for funding to acquire cloud-based software licences allowing students remote access to practical files (2020). I have designed multiple new practical sessions for degree programmes and engagement activities and trained and supported new staff using this equipment.
I have contributed to the design and development of multiple new modules in the physiological sciences programme, in particular, and as Curriculum Committee Co-Chair have supported colleagues with their design and development.
Following the BMS Curriculum Review I will lead design and lead implementation of two new stage 2 modules, one core, and co-lead on one stage 1 core module in the new biomedical sciences degree programme.
Since switching to a T&S role, I incorporate my research interests in cardiovascular physiology with teaching, undergraduate project supervision and public engagement activities.
I have presented and co-presented oral and poster presentations at local, national and international meetings. At the Europhysiology 2022 meeting, one of my peer-reviewed abstracts (co-authored with Dr Alison Howard and Dr Beth Lawry) was selected for special recognition with a Physiological Reports Abstract Award in the Education and Teaching category.
I have received funding for engagement activities including Engagement and Place fund 2024 (£2500), for Discover Festival Physiology activity (co-led with Dr Carys Watts), and multiple awards from The Physiological Society for Physiology Week (formerly Physiology Friday).
I was a member of the organising committee (led by Dr Alison Howard) successful in applying to host The Physiological Society Education and Teaching theme annual meeting in Âé¶¹´«Ã½ in April 2026: Fit for the Future: Physiology Education and Teaching in the UK Conference.
I have reviewed abstracts and chaired communications sessions for multiple Physiological Society meetings.
I was an invited panellist for Is Physiology Dead? webinar (2024) hosted by ADInstruments Education Team, and invited chair for The Hardware Revolution in Physiology Education: Feel the Phys webinar (2026), hosted by ADInstruments Education Team and The Physiological Society.
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Articles
- Nicholson CJ, Sweeney M, Robson SC, Taggart MJ. . Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 12153.
- Narytnyk A, Verdon B, Loughney A, Sweeney M, Clewes O, Taggart MJ, Sieber-Blum M. . Stem Cells Reviews and Reports 2014, 10(2), 316-326.
- Chen A, Karolczak-Bayatti M, Sweeney M, Treumann A, Morrissey K, Ulrich SM, Europe-Finner GN, Taggart MJ. . Physiological Reports 2013, 1(6), e00127.
- Dordea AC, Sweeney M, Taggart J, Lartey J, Wessel H, Robson SC, Taggart MJ. . Molecular Human Reproduction 2013, 19(11), 727-736.
- Herriott A, Sweeney M, Whitaker M, Taggart M, Huang JY. . Cell Cycle 2012, 11(24), 4650-4660.
- Karolczak-Bayatti M, Sweeney M, Cheng JAN, Edey L, Robson SC, Ulrich SM, Treumann A, Taggart MJ, Europe-Finner GN. . Journal of Biological Chemistry 2011, 286(39), 34346-34355.
- Tong WC, Sweeney M, Jones CJP, Zhang H, O'Neill SC, Prior I, Taggart MJ. . Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine 2009, 13(5), 995-998.
- Sweeney M, Wareing M, Mills TA, Baker PN, Taggart MJ. . Placenta 2008, 29(4), 356-365.
- Sweeney M, Jones CJP, Greenwood SL, Baker PN, Taggart MJ. . Placenta 2006, 27(6-7), 635-647.
- Shaw LM, Sweeney MA, Jones CJP, O'Neill SC, Austin CE, Taggart MJ. . Cardiovascular Research 2006, 69(4), 825-835.
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Book Chapter
- Gurney L, Robson SC, Sweeney M, Jones AT, Taggart MJ. . In: Langel U, ed. Cell Penetrating Peptides : Methods and Protocols. Boston: Humana Press Inc, 2022, pp.459-471.
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Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)
- Nicholson C, Sweeney M, Robson S, Taggart M. . In: Experimental Biology 2015. 2015, Boston, MA, USA: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
- Nicholson CJ, Sweeney M, Robson SC, Taggart MJ. . In: 60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2013, Orlando, FL, USA: Sage Publications Ltd.
- Gurney L, Sweeney M, Jones A, Robson S, Taggart M. . In: British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society 16th Annual Conference. 2013, Dublin, Republic of Ireland: BMJ Publishing Group.
- Karolczak-Bayatti M, Sweeney M, Ulrich SM, Robson SC, Taggart MJ, Europe-Finner NG. . In: Blair Bell Research Society Annual Academic Meeting. 2012, London, UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Dordea AC, Sweeney M, Robson SC, Taggart MJ. . In: Reproductive Sciences. 2012, Sage Publications, Inc.
- Lartey J, Martin J, Sweeney M, Robson S, Taggart M. . In: Reproductive Sciences: 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2010, Orlando, Florida: Sage Publications Inc.
- Lartey J, Martin J, Sweeney M, Robson S, Taggart M. . In: Reproductive Sciences: 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2010, Orlando, Florida: Sage Publications Inc.
- Sweeney M, Watkins CL, Jones AT, Taggart MJ. . In: Drug Discovery Today: 3rd International Cellular Delivery of Therapeutic Macromolecules (CDTM) Symposium. 2010, Cardiff, UK: Elsevier Ltd.
- Lartey J, Martin J, Sweeney M, Robson S, Taggart M. . In: Reproductive Sciences: 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2010, Orlando, Florida: Sage Publications Inc.
- Sweeney M, Martin J, Robson SC, Taggart MJ. . In: Reproductive Sciences: 57th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2010, Orlando, Florida: Sage Publications Inc.
- Sweeney M, Martin J, Robson SC, Taggart MJ. . In: Reproductive Sciences: 56th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. 2009, Glasgow, UK: Sage Publications, Inc.