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Biography

Aneika grew up in the Midlands and obtained a BSc in biochemistry at University of York, UK. During her BSc, Aneika spent a year in industry at GlaxoSmithKline where her passion for mass spectrometry was ignited. Next, she joined Professor Sheena Radford and Professor Alison Ashcroft’s lab in the Astbury Centre, University of Leeds, UK, where she completed her PhD in biological mass spectrometry. Her research focused on amyloid assembly, bacterial pilus assembly and the development of novel technologies to monitor membrane proteins. 
 
 After her studies, Aneika relocated to Canada where she joined the Alberta Glycomics centre as a post-doctoral researcher under the supervision of Professor John Klassen. Following this, she spent four years at Utrecht University in the Netherlands in the laboratory of Professor Albert Heck, where she applied mass spectrometry to search for novel protein molecular switches.
 
 Aneika then joined the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham to establish her own research group. In 2019, she was highlighted as an emerging leader in the field by the mass spectrometry community. Since then, she has pioneered the application of mass spectrometry in a variety of biological research areas including photosynthesis, DNA repair, coiled-coils design, protein molecular glues discovery, and in environmental monitoring for the detection of cyanobacterial blooms.

This honour reflects the amazing people who have surrounded and supported me throughout my career.

Aneika Leney

Q&A

Can you tell us more about your work?

My research uses mass spectrometry to explore how the molecules of life, particularly proteins, interact, adapt, and function within complex biological systems. Working at the boundary between chemistry and biology, I develop new ways of observing these molecular processes, with the aim of transforming detailed scientific insight into advances for medicine, environmental sustainability, and public health. A central focus of my work is understanding how protein interactions can be precisely controlled, helping to enable emerging therapeutic approaches that target disease at its molecular roots.
 
I also using mass spectrometry to study natural biological systems such as light harvesting proteins and photosynthetic assemblies. This work helps to reveal how organisms capture sunlight and convert it into energy, processes that sustain life on Earth and influence global carbon cycles. In parallel, I develop rapid tools to identify harmful blue-green algae in freshwater, supporting earlier warnings and better protection of ecosystems, water resources, and public health. Together, my research group aims to connect fundamental molecular discovery with solutions to major societal and environmental challenges.

Who or what first sparked your interest in chemistry, and how has that interest evolved over time? 

The DMPK team at GlaxoSmithKline first got me interested in mass spectrometry. Opening up instruments and seeing how they worked was fascinating then and still is now! 

What has been the most rewarding or memorable highlight of your career so far? 

There is no single moment that stands out, but seeing the friends I have worked alongside succeed, and watching the students I have taught graduate, never fails to make me smile. 

What have been the biggest challenges that you have faced over the course of your time in science, and what have you learned from those experiences? 

Setting aside the family life and career juggle, the biggest challenge has been moving away from my closest friends as I have travelled throughout my career. When you work in a large lab, friends are always coming and going. However, this has shaped me into the scientist I am today, and I am fortunate to now have close scientific friends all around the world.

Are there any scientific developments, either recent or on the horizon, that you are excited about? 

I am always excited by new technology. There are new instruments on the market that can find biomolecules that we have never seen before. These instruments will revolutionise our understanding of biology and chemistry in ways we can never predict.

How important would you say collaboration is for producing high quality science? How has collaboration influenced your work? 

Collaboration is essential for high quality science – scientists need to bounce ideas off each other to make things work! Science would be boring without our fun collaborators!