Eleanor (Ella) Hopkins

I recieved my PhD in Clinical Neurosciences from The University of Cambridge in 2024, project entitled 'Mutational and Structural Investigation of SARM1, a Protein that Mediates Axon Loss'. I worked in the lab of Professor Michael Coleman as a Research Assistant (2019-2020), PhD student (2020-2024) and for a short postdoctoral postition to continue my PhD work (2024-2025). My work in Michael's lab focussed on characterising the regulation of SARM1 activity, a prodegenerative NADase enzyme that when activated leads to the catastrophic degeneration of axons and eventual cell death. SARM1 is a key protein in the Wallerian Degeneration (Programmed Axon Degeneration) pathway, a pathway that is active in many neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding structurally how SARM1 switches from its inactive conformation to its highly active state is critical in the persuit of developing therapies to slow such diseases.

Since October 2025, I am working as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Pete Williams' lab. My role includes development and implementation of ex vivo mouse superior cervical ganglia cultures as a model for testing potential therapies for boosting NAD⁺ levels and maintaining axon health. The aim is to develop these therapies as treatments for glaucoma, with the possibility for wider neurodegenerative disease translation.