University of Manchester
Welcome to the Menon Lab
Scroll down to learn more about our lab members: their journeys into immunology, areas of expertise, current projects, and interests both inside and outside the lab.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Madhvi Menon
Principal Investigator
Dr. Stephane Guillaume
Postdoctoral Researcher
My research focuses on understanding how tissue-infiltrating B cells interact with the surrounding microenvironment and promote inflammation in chronic respiratory diseases and autoimmunity. I have recently been awarded a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship to further develop my independent research programme. Prior to this, I completed my postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School, Boston (with Prof Vijay Kuchroo and Dr Brian Hafler), identifying inflammatory pathways contributing to age-related macular degeneration. I also trained as a postdoc at University College London (with Prof Claudia Mauri), investigating the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. I obtained my PhD in Immunology from University College London in 2015 unravelling the crosstalk between B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in systemic lupus erythematosus.
I am an immunologist whose research focuses on tissue-resident lymphocyte populations and their roles in human health and disease. My work spans resident memory T cells, B cells and, more recently, the cellular networks that shape lung immunity in chronic inflammatory conditions. I began my scientific career as an honours student and research assistant in the laboratory of Prof Laura Mackay at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Melbourne, Australia). I subsequently joined the Babraham Institute (Cambridge, UK) as a PhD candidate under the supervision of Dr Michelle Linterman. During my doctoral studies, I examined the development, maintenance, and function of tissue-resident B cells, exploring how these populations contribute to localised immunity and age-associated changes in immune responsiveness. I am now a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Menon lab. My current research focuses on human lung immunity, with a particular emphasis on dysregulated immune architecture in COPD. Across my training and research positions, I have developed expertise in tissue immunology, lymphocyte residency, human translational research, and advanced imaging and cellular profiling techniques and remain driven by a commitment to understanding how immune cells adapt to and are shaped by local tissue environments, particularly in the context of chronic inflammatory disease.
Meet Our Team
Holly Sedgwick
PhD Student
Hi! My name is Holly and I’m a fourth-year Wellcome Trust PhD student in the Menon Lab, investigating B cell dynamics and their interactions with the extracellular matrix in chronic lung disease. My research builds upon a strong foundation in Biomedical Sciences, developed through an MSc at the University of Bath and a BSc from the University of York. Alongside my studies, I’m also a Postgraduate Research (PGR) Ambassador for the University of Manchester, where I help support and engage the wider research community. I’m also an avid rock climber and have happily managed to convince a few colleagues in the department to join me on the wall!
Rebecca Rowan
Maana Layeghi
PhD Student
I am a third-year PhD student in Immunology at the University of Manchester. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences with an industrial placement year at GSK at Aston University, followed by an MRes in Experimental and Translational Immunology at UCL. My interest in immunology and autoimmune disease motivated me to pursue doctoral research, where my project focuses on investigating the immune signature of interstitial lung disease across autoimmune conditions. I am particularly interested in
understanding the roles of B and T cells in driving disease pathogenesis. Alongside my research, I am passionate about science communication and
public engagement. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, hiking, and going to the
gym.
Cullum Stones
PhD Student
My name is Becca and I am a second-year MRC PhD student in Immunology. Prior to joining the Menon Lab, I worked in industry in a molecular biology lab before completing an MSc in Experimental Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast. These experiences sparked my passion for immunology and motivated me to take the next step into doctoral research. My PhD project focuses on B cell differentiation and the role of regulatory B cells in autoimmune disease, with a particular interest in how sex differences influence immune regulation and disease mechanisms. Outside of the lab, I enjoy baking, crochet, and travelling.
Research Assistant
Hi, I'm Cullum Stones, a Research Assistant in the Menon Lab. My main focus is supporting ongoing projects through MALDI imaging and analysis, helping the team investigate spatial distributions of proteins and metabolites in tissue. I also help keep the lab running smoothly, whether that’s managing supplies, maintaining equipment, or making sure experiments go off without a hitch.
I really enjoy the variety that comes with working in a busy research environment, especially being part of a collaborative team where I can contribute to cutting-edge science while keeping things organised behind the scenes. There's always something new to learn, and I like being the go-to person when something needs sorting out!
Dr Rebecca Pemberton
Postdoctoral Researcher
My name is Rebecca Pemberton, and I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Menon Lab. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science, including an extramural placement year at Eli Lilly, at King’s College London. I then went on to pursue an MSc in Immunology, also at King’s College London. I recently completed my PhD, during which I developed a strong interest in understanding how B cells function in immune responses. I am continuing this line of research in my postdoctoral work, focusing on the role of B cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Alongside my research I serve as the lab’s Social Secretary, where I organise team-building activities and celebrations. Outside of the lab, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, and trying new activities.
Dr Qian Zhao
Research Associate
I am a research associate in the MRC CoRE for Exposome Immunology. My current project focuses on developing multimodal deep learning models to predict spatial lung tissue architecture and pathological alterations directly from unseen H&E images. My previous research spans a broad range of computational biology and machine learning applications, including benchmarking and integrating alternative polyadenylation (APA) identification tools, batch‑effect correction, the development of spatial foundation models, multimodal integration of single‑cell data and spatial transcriptomic data, and the optimization of epigenetic clocks.
Former Lab Members
Dr Peter West
Bethany Potts
Dr. Katy Dodd
Dr. Rinal Sahputra
Lab Socials
At the Menon lab, we take pride not only in our work but in the vibrant community we've built beyond it. We believe that sharing our hobbies and passions outside the lab strengthens the connections that make our team thrive. Whether it's celebrating the festive season with our annual Christmas do, challenging ourselves with a monthly “try a new activity” event, or teaming up for escape rooms and themed quizzes in full fancy dress, we’re always finding new ways to have fun together. From meals out to spontaneous socials, these shared moments help create a supportive, collaborative environment where everyone feels part of something more than just the 9-to-5.
