People
If you're interested in joining the team please visit the 'join us' page for more info.

Iris Hardege
Group Leader, Royal Society University Research Fellow, King's College Research Fellow
Iris leads the group and works on several projects in the lab including studying dopamine receptors in C. elegans and other species. In her spare time Iris can be found knitting, sewing or tending her allotment. She is also a Research Fellow at King’s College.
@IHardege
Ella Pegram
MPhil Student
Ella joins us from the MPhil in Basic and Translational Neuroscience, her project focusses on pharmacological characterisation of novel LGICs.

Shreya Aggarwal
MPhil Student
Shreya is interested in a novel group of LGICs that are expressed in the pharyngeal neurons.
Ayrton Barzasi
MPhil Student
Ayrton joins us from the MPhil in Biological Sciences program and is interested in the phylogenetics of LGICs across nematodes.

Luke Wallis
Part II Project Student
Luke is investigating dopamine receptor expression and behaviours in males.

Mel van Aerle
Part II Project Student
Mel is looking at dopamine receptor expression across the nervous system.

Inchara Muralidhara
PhD Student
Inchara hails from Bengaluru, India. Her strong interest in biology led her to complete an Integrated Master of Science in Molecular Biology from the University of Mysore. She conducted her master’s project in Dr. Kavita Babu’s lab at IISc, Bangalore where she later worked as a project associate. Driven by her passion for molecular neuroscience, she opted to pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge under Dr. Iris Hardege. Inchara is currently investigating the dual role of dopamine-gated ligand-gated ion channels (LGCs) in regulating behavior in C.elegans. Apart from research, she enjoys traveling, photography, and exploring different cuisines.

Elizabeth Duxbury
Postdoc
Liz is an evolutionary biologist, currently working on the neurobiology of dopamine signalling and its role in regulating complex behaviours in C. elegans. Previously, she studied the evolution and genetics of ageing, germline mutation rates and transgenerational effects at the University of East Anglia in Norwich and host-virus evolution at the University of Cambridge. Outside of research, she enjoys spending time in nature, music and travelling.

Tom Reynoldson
Research Technician
Tom helps keep the lab organised and assists with research projects as required. Outside of work he likes to read, exercise and cook. He is also very fond of coffee and dogs/cats.

Tina McRunnel
Research Technician
Tina previously undertook a MPhil in Biological Sciences in the lab where she worked on the structure function of dopamine LGICs. She is continuing her interest in this area as a research technician.
Alumni
Freya Thornton (Summer Student 2025)
Aiman Muhammad (Summer Student 2025)
Rebekah Bourne (Part II Project Student 24/25)
Isabel Reeves (Part II Project Student 23/24)
Aisha Warner (Part II Project Student 23/24)
Emily Wolfenden (Part II Project Student 23/24)