Gavin McStay (He/Him)

Senior Lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University

About Gavin McStay

My research interests focus on the roles mitochondria play in aspects of eukaryotic life, ranging from their origin, metabolism, biogenesis and role they play in cell death pathways. These are interrogated using biochemical, molecular biology, genetic and cell biology techniques. I incorporate these interests into classes I teach to provide an understanding of practical techniques and also the current literature in the field.

I studied biochemistry at the University of Leeds, with an industrial placement at Astra Charnwood, followed by a PhD at the University of Bristol, supervised by Professor Andrew Halestrap, to characterise the molecular composition of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, with support from MitoKor. My post-doctoral training on the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis supervised by Dr Doug Green was at the La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology in San Diego, California and St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. I then was an associate research scientist working in the laboratory of Professor Alexander Tzagoloff at Columbia University in New York to study biogenesis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase in budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

I held independent positions as assistant professor at the New York Institute of Technology in New York and Staffordshire University in Stoke-on-Trent where I continued my research and taught subjects related to biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. I am now a senior lecturer in biotechnology at Liverpool John Moores University. 

I am a strong supporter of scientific communications and outreach to disseminate scientific developments and knowledge to a broader audience with the goal of increasing the general support of the scientific process.

I also direct Biomed News, a free biomedical research literature discovery platform that uses machine learning.

Research Interest

Apoptosis Bioenergetics Biotechnology Cancer Cell Signalling Enzymology Evolution Gene Therapy Membranes and Membrane Proteins Metabolism Metabolomics Organelles Protein Engineering Protein Expression Protein Structure/Modifications Regulation of Gene Expression Signal Transduction Synthetic Biology Yeast

FEBS Constituent Society

UK (Biochemical Society)

Other Expertise/Interests

Grant writing Journal publishing Postgraduate training Scientific communication Scientific event organization Scientific policy Undergraduate teaching

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FEBS Member Society Representatives

Recent Comments

Feb 06, 2026

My biology and chemistry teachers, Mrs Moorhead, Mrs Ellis, Mr Skilling and Mr Harris at high school inspired me to want to do science after finishing school. Then I went to study biochemistry at the University of Leeds. My personal tutor there, Professor Sheena Radford, motivated to continue with a career in science. I will always be grateful for the time she spent mentoring and advising me. 

Feb 03, 2026

I enjoy learning about other aspects of science, you never know how it could relate to what you are doing. Looking forward to the presentation at the FEBS congress. 

Jan 27, 2026

I am looking forward to hearing Peter Ratcliffe presenting at the FEBS congress. 

Jan 06, 2026

I'm looking forward to attending this meeting and representing the @Biochemical Society

Nov 04, 2025

another wonderfully insightful article Christian

Aug 01, 2025

It was a great meeting - thank you!

Jul 23, 2025

Thanks for being integral to the smooth running and the enjoyment of my first FEBS congress. Looking forward to the next one!

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