Congratulations to:

Abdullah Khan

Dr Abdullah Khan is a stem cell biologist whose work focuses on developing advanced human models to study blood and immune system disorders. He completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham, where he established methods to generate CRISPR-edited megakaryocytes - cells responsible for platelet production - from human induced pluripotent stem cells. He also developed innovative CRISPR-based tools enabling high-resolution imaging of cellular processes.

In 2020, Abdullah was awarded a Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship to develop a human bone marrow organoid model for studying myeloid cancers. During this period, he undertook a research secondment at Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He joined the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford in 2023 to complete his junior fellowship and begin setting up his own research group. In 2025, he established his independent research group, supported by a Wellcome Trust Career Development Award.

His research has led to the first human engineered bone marrow systems to capture the complexity of human tissues. These models are now being used to investigate healthy, ageing, and diseased biology, with the aim of accelerating both fundamental discoveries and the development of new therapies.

Rubeta Matin

Dr Rubeta Matin is an academic dermatologist and internationally recognised leader in skin cancer research and the application of artificial intelligence in dermatology. She began her academic career with a Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship, completing a PhD in Molecular Mechanisms in Melanoma in 2010. Since then, she has authored over 240 peer-reviewed publications and established a strong national and international profile.

As Oxford Dermatology Skin Cancer Research Lead, Dr Matin directs a translational research programme focused on improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer. She serves as Chief Investigator on multiple clinical and translational studies across local, national, and international settings.

Rubeta has played a key role in shaping the UK's skin cancer clinical trials landscape through her work with the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network. She has secured major funding from organisations including Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research, supporting research that aims to deliver tangible benefits for patients.

The nominations for Associate Professor status are made by the Head of Department Professor Keith Channon, and a body of evidence is assessed by the Medical Sciences Divisional Committee.

The stated eligibility criteria for the title of Associate Professor is:

Research as a key focus of their role;

• Teaching role is comparable with that of a substantive associate professor, to include supervision;
• Teaching and administrative duties are carried out at no less a level of excellence than is expected of a substantive associate professor;
• Contribute to other departmental duties, academic and otherwise, demonstrating the level of citizenship expected of a substantive associate professor, and personal contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion actions in their group.

More information about the conferment of the title of Associate Professor can be found on the Medical Science Division webpages. The Researcher's Trailmap has been created to help you plan your research journey and can used to find personal, research and career development opportunities.

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