1. David Magill
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Via Francesco Rosaspina, 78, 00133, Roma, Lazio
Tel: 062000504 (H) 3913514939(M)
davidkieronmagill25031990@gmail.com
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
October 2012 – October 2015: MRes Molecular Cell Biology, University of Dundee.
Ÿ Courses included: Statistics for researchers, Scientific writing, Presentation skills, Public
engagement for the biosciences, Advanced Word and Excel functions.
Ÿ Masters dissertation: “Modulation of Fatty Acid-Induced Skeletal Muscle Inflammation by the
Peripheral Endocannabinoid System”
Ÿ Chair of Postgraduate Life Science Society (PiCLS), involved in representing postgraduate life
science students at school board meetings, organising career events, seminars and monthly
social events.
September 2008 – June 2012: BSc (Hons) 2:1 Anatomical and Physiological Sciences,
University of Dundee.
Ÿ Honours courses included: Stem Cells, Nutrient Induced Responses, Modern Methods of
Metabolic Investigation, Nutrient Exchange Across Biomembranes, and Cell Signalling.
Ÿ Honours dissertation: “The Regulation of Metabolic Pathways by Monounsaturated and
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Rat L6 Skeletal Muscle Cells”
Ÿ Co-chair of Life Science Society, involved in representing undergraduate life science students.
Five Scottish Higher Grades in English (B), Mathematics (B), Modern Studies (B), Biology (B),
Chemistry (B), and 8 Standard Grades including English and Mathematics.
POSITIONS HELD
October 2012 – October 2015: Research Student, Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology,
College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee.
A BBSRC-funded research project in the lab of Professor Hari Hundal, investigating the potential of
the peripheral endocannabinoid system (ECS) as an anti-inflammatory target. During obesity the
levels of circulating saturated fatty acids in the blood increases, causing insulin-resistance and
inflammation in various peripheral tissues e.g. skeletal muscle. However, as well as increasing
palmitate, obesity also results in increases in two lipid-derived agonists of the ECS, anandamide
(AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG). As little is understood about the effects of increasing ECS-
activating lipids, my project aimed to understand whether ECS activation works synergistically or
antagonistically with palmitate to subsequently induce or ameliorate inflammation.
Preliminary data suggests that when coincubated with palmitate, the endogenous endocannabinoid
ligands 2-AG and AEA can attenuate palmitate-induced inflammation. In addition, and to my
knowledge, for the first time, I have demonstrated that 2-AG and AEA supress palmitate induced
inflammation in skeletal muscle and that this may occur independently of ECS activation. However,
further work is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which 2-AG and AEA may exert their
anti-inflammatory effect.
June 2015-September 2015: Internship at the National Phenotypic Screening Centre, Dundee
An internship conducted under the supervision of Dr Paul Andrews, working on a project using
automation towards development of robust cell-based assays for complex diseases. Using disease-
specific iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells as a start point. My role has been to optimise conditions
for differentiation and cell processing for automated high-throughput microscopy to allow screening of
medium sized compound libraries. As the Centre is only newly established I have also been helping
establish the assay development lab and tissue culture suite. Working closely with the NPSC Lead
Platform engineer I have been exposed to the two High Res Biosolutions automation systems the
centre has and have started to establish workflows using automation scheduling software (Cellario) as
well as developing QC procedures for a range of different devices. I have received formal training on

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the Molecular Devices Image Xpress Micro HCS system and will be using the two other HCS systems
before the end of my internship.
May 2012- October 2012: Research Assistant, Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology,
College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee.
Working alongside senior postdoc on a project investigating the role of ceramide kinase in saturated
fatty acid-induced insulin resistance. Increasing circulating saturated fatty acids, as seen in obesity,
results in the generation of lipotoxic intermediates such as ceramide. Interestingly, previous studies in
our lab have demonstrated that increasing levels of ceramide, results in a significant reduction in
insulin-stimulated signalling.
However, upon generation within the cell, ceramide does not stay as a ceramide molecule but can in
fact be transferred into numerous molecules within the cell, by a myriad of enzymes. Of interest to this
project is the ability of ceramide to be phosphorylated by ceramide kinase (CERK) to form ceramide 1-
phosphate. Recent studies have shown that mice deficient in CERK show improved insulin sensitivity,
and resistance to weight gain. As such the aim of this project aimed to examine the role of CERK in
saturated fatty-acid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by utilising specific CERK inhibitors.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Cell Biology
Working as part of a lab interested in mammalian cell biology I have developed various technical
abilities including:
• Differentiating mononucleated myoblasts into multinucleated primary myotubes.
• Assay optimisation to measure myoblast differentiation and cell viability
• Controlling adipogenisis to produce adiopocytes from preadipocytes in vitro.
• Culturing mouse-derived spleen and bone marrow dendritic cells.
• Plating out of MRC5 cells for high-throughput screening and assay development.
• Using radiolabelled isotopes to measure cellular nutrient uptake
• Measure intracellular triglyceride formation using fluorescence based assay.
• Using molecular probes to stain cellular compartments for use in high-throughput
microscopy and assay development.
Molecular Biology
In order to understand events occurring within the cell, you must investigate changes at a subcellular
level. As such I have developed various molecular biology techniques such as:
• Sample preparation and protein separation using SDS-PAGE
• Measuring post-translation modifications using phospho-specific antibodies.
• Immunoprecipatation of proteins using antibody-conjugated sepharose beads
• Using radiolabelled phosphorous to perform kinase assays on
immunoprecipatated kinases.
• Analysing changes in gene expression using both reverse transcriptase and
quantitative PCR.
• Generating shRNAs for use in production of stable knockdown cell lines
• Experience using lentivrus, adenovirus and transient transfections systems.
• Altering protein biochemistry using site-directed mutagenesis.
Automated Phenotypic Screening
During my internship I had the opportunity to work in a lab using automated systems to screen small
compound libraries. As such I have gained a basic understanding of the various stages in the
compound screening process, such as:
• Maintenance of robotic systems
• Functionality of various liquid handling system including; Formulatrix Tempest,
Agilent Bravo, and Labcyte Echo liquid handlers

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• Image capturing using Molecular Device’s IXM, and GE Healthcare’s Incell high-
throughput microscopes
• Quality controlling of instruments such as liquid handlers using soluble dyes.
• Constructing an automated workflow using Cellario software.
• Input data and extract outcomes using Pipeline Pilot software.
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Computing and Data Analysis
During my studies it was essential to organise, analyse and report my data accurately and
professionally, which involved:
• Collecting and collating data using Microsoft excel
• Organising data, and performing statistical analysis such as t-tests, and one and
two-way ANOVA using Graphpad Prism software
• Generating figures using Microsoft publisher
• Preparing conference abstracts, and progress reports using Microsoft Word
• Initial grounding on use of Pipeline Pilot.
• Use of MetaXpress image analysis software
Networking and Communication
Working in a renowned international scientific environment such as the College of Life Sciences
commands good networking and presentations in order to:
Ÿ Present data using Microsoft PowerPoint at both intra and inter-lab meetings.
Ÿ Discuss potential collaborations at divisional coffee mornings and annual college
symposiums.
Ÿ Explain clearly and concisely data to experts and non-experts at national and
international conferences (eg through presentations at poster sessions).
Project Management and Teamwork
Throughout both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies I have always taken an active role
sitting on committees involved in enhancing the work environment for both others and myself. Such
roles included; Chairman of Postgraduate in College of Life Sciences (PiCLS), and acting as student
representative at school board meetings. These roles allowed me to develop various skills including:
Ÿ Delegation of tasks to committee members to ensure effective task management.
Ÿ Organising of social events to facilitate networking and scientific collaboration.
Ÿ Liaising with school board members to present concerns of PhD students.
Ÿ Disseminating essential information gathered at board meeting to the wider
student body.
Teaching and Practical Demonstration
At Dundee University, PhD students are encouraged to participate in the running of undergraduate
practical classes. This opportunity allowed me to enhance various skills such as:
• Using my knowledge and communication skills to teach molecular biology to a
wide range of students
• Working as part to team to deliver content that was both topical and interesting
• Ensuring students following correct PPE and safety protocols to conduct lab work
• Encouraging students to work together to solve tasks they had been set.

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PUBLICATIONS
Nardi, F, Lipina, C, Magill, D, R, Hage Hassan, E, Hajduch, A, Gray, & H, Hundal. 2009.Enhanced
Insulin Sensitivity Associated with Provision of Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in
Skeletal Muscle Cells Involves Counter-modulation of PP2A. PLoS One. E9. 2255.
CONFERENCES ATTENDED
June 2015 American Diabetes Association 75
th
Annual Meeting, Boston, MA
September 2014 SULSA Young Scientist Event, Edinburgh, Scotland
March 2013 Diabetes UK Annual Conference, Manchester, UK
REFEREES
Prof Hari Hundal Dr Paul Andrews
Division of Cell Signalling and Immunology Director of Operations
College of Life Sciences National Phenotypic Screening Centre
University of Dundee University of Dundee
Dundee Dundee
Scotland Scotland
DD1 5EH DD1 5EH
Telephone: +44 (0)1382 384969 Telephone: +44 (0)1382 386594
Email: h.s.hundal@dundee.ac.uk Email: paul@stemcellsolutions.co.uk