Staff profile

Kirsty Goncalves is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biosciences specialising in human tissue bioengineering and skin biology. Her research focuses on the development of advanced three-dimensional human tissue models to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying skin ageing, pigmentation, environmental stress, tissue damage and repair. She has extensive expertise in bioengineered full-thickness human skin models and their application to study UV exposure, skin barrier function, pigmentation, topical actives and personal grooming practices.

A key focus of Kirsty's research is the translation of fundamental skin biology into physiologically relevant experimental platforms with real-world application. She has extensive experience of industrially engaged research through the long-standing strategic collaboration between Durham University and Procter & Gamble (P&G), applying and advancing bioengineered human skin technologies to address industry-relevant biological questions and support preclinical evaluation and product innovation. Her work within this partnership spans skin pigmentation, environmental stress, topical actives, shaving and light-based hair-removal technologies, with an emphasis on generating mechanistic insights that can inform product development and improve the translation of laboratory findings towards consumer and clinical settings.

More recently, Kirsty's research has expanded into wound healing, skin microbiome and host-microbe interactions, developing increasingly complex model systems that incorporate controlled wounding, microorganisms and immune components to investigate infection and impaired tissue repair. Her broader research aims to develop advanced human in vitro platforms that bridge the gap between conventional laboratory models and human biology, providing both fundamental mechanistic insight and translational tools for academic and industrial research.

Alongside her research, Kirsty is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and fostering a positive and inclusive research culture. She contributes to departmental research culture through her service on the Research Culture Committee and is Co-Chair of the Durham Biosciences Neurodivergent Network, an initiative focused on creating a supportive community for neurodivergent staff and students, sharing resources and advocating for neurodivergent needs within the Department. Through these roles, she is particularly interested in improving inclusion, accessibility and belonging within academic research environments.

Teaching & Learning

Kirsty is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) with experience across undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research supervision and student mentorship. She contributes to undergraduate teaching as a lecturer on the Stem Cells & Tissue Engineering module, drawing on her research expertise in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and human tissue bioengineering to provide research-led teaching. She has also contributed to widening-participation initiatives through teaching on Durham's Supported Progression and Sutton Trust summer schools.

She is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in teaching and learning, with a particular interest in neuroinclusive education and creating accessible, supportive learning environments in which all students can participate and thrive. Her teaching philosophy recognises that students learn and engage in different ways, and she advocates an inclusive, individualised approach that removes unnecessary barriers to participation. This philosophy extends to her supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate researchers, where she tailors support to individual needs and circumstances.

In 2026, Kirsty was nominated for an Early Career Researcher Teaching and Learning Award, recognising her contribution to teaching and her commitment to inclusive educational practice.

• Human tissue bioengineering and advanced 3D in vitro models
• Skin biology, ageing and pigmentation
• Wound healing and regenerative medicine
• Microbiology, skin microbiome and host-microbe interactions
• Stem cell biology and neural regeneration
• Human-relevant preclinical model development
• Translational research and industry-academic collaboration

• 2026 - 2026: Early Career Teaching & Learning Award Nominee:
• 2025 - 2026: Fellow Higher Education Academy :

Chapter in book

• Biometric Quantification of Keratinocyte Turnover Using Bioengineered Human Skin Equivalents.
  
  Abraham, G., Maczkowska, J., Gilmore, R., Barrett, N., Simpson, J., De Los Santos Gomez, P., Goncalves, K., Maltman, V., & Przyborski, S. (2025). Biometric Quantification of Keratinocyte Turnover Using Bioengineered Human Skin Equivalents. In J. M. Walker (Ed.), Methods in Molecular Biology. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2025_673
• Visualization and Quantification of Basal Melanocytes Within a 3D Bioengineered Skin Equivalent.
  
  Barrett, N., Lindsay, M., De Los Santos Gomez, P., Simpson, J., Maltman, V., Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2025). Visualization and Quantification of Basal Melanocytes Within a 3D Bioengineered Skin Equivalent. In J. M. Walker (Ed.), Methods in Molecular Biology. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/7651_2025_672
• Engineering a Pigmented Skin Equivalent That Is Responsive to External Stimuli
  
  De Los Santos Gomez, P., Goncalves, K., Maltman, V., Smith, L., & Przyborski, S. (2025). Engineering a Pigmented Skin Equivalent That Is Responsive to External Stimuli. In T. Biedermann & S. Böttcher-Haberzeth (Eds.), Skin Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols (pp. 115-134). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-4510-9_9

Journal Article

• A Novel Bioengineering Approach to Breast Cancer Invasion In Vitro Through Enhancing the Value of Existing Breast Cancer Epithelial Lineages
  
  Webb, E., Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2026). A Novel Bioengineering Approach to Breast Cancer Invasion In Vitro Through Enhancing the Value of Existing Breast Cancer Epithelial Lineages. Cells, 15(20), Article 1882. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15201882
• Reconstruction of native cellular microanatomy in a novel bioengineered full thickness human nasal mucosal construct
  
  Bradbury, S., Dickson, B., Curtis, N., Bunton, D., Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2026). Reconstruction of native cellular microanatomy in a novel bioengineered full thickness human nasal mucosal construct. Journal of Anatomy, 249(4), 950-969. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70130
• An Innovative Bioengineering Approach to Investigate the Response of Melanin-Rich Cells to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).
  
  Goncalves, K., Shah, K., Maltman, V., Chen, Y., Barrett, N., Abraham, G., Ambrogio, I., DiColandrea, T., Snowball, J., & Przyborski, S. (2026). An Innovative Bioengineering Approach to Investigate the Response of Melanin-Rich Cells to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL). Cells, 15(10), Article 859. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15100859
• Anatomy of a bioengineered human pigmented skin equivalent to provide fundamental insights into skin tone melanin dynamics
  
  De Los Santos Gomez, P., Rai, R., Ritchie, P., Smith, L., Simpson, A., Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2026). Anatomy of a bioengineered human pigmented skin equivalent to provide fundamental insights into skin tone melanin dynamics. Journal of Anatomy, 248(1), 108-125. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.70026
• Modulation of the Nogo signaling pathway to overcome amyloid-β-mediated neurite inhibition in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurites.
  
  Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2025). Modulation of the Nogo signaling pathway to overcome amyloid-β-mediated neurite inhibition in human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurites. Neural Regeneration Research, 20(9), 2645-2654. https://doi.org/10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01628
• Investigation into the significant role of dermal‐epidermal interactions in skin ageing utilising a bioengineered skin construct
  
  Costello, L., Goncalves, K., De Los Santos Gomez, P., Hulette, B., Dicolandrea, T., Flagler, M. J., Isfort, R., Oblong, J., Bascom, C., & Przyborski, S. (2025). Investigation into the significant role of dermal‐epidermal interactions in skin ageing utilising a bioengineered skin construct. Journal of Cellular Physiology, 240(1), Article e31463. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcp.31463
• Bioengineering the Human Intestinal Mucosa and the Importance of Stromal Support for Pharmacological Evaluation In Vitro
  
  Freer, M., Cooper, J., Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2024). Bioengineering the Human Intestinal Mucosa and the Importance of Stromal Support for Pharmacological Evaluation In Vitro. Cells, 13(22), Article 1859. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13221859
• Comparison of photodamage in non-pigmented and pigmented human skin equivalents exposed to repeated ultraviolet radiation to investigate the role of melanocytes in skin photoprotection
  
  De Los Santos Gomez, P., Costello, L., Goncalves, K., & Przyborski, S. (2024). Comparison of photodamage in non-pigmented and pigmented human skin equivalents exposed to repeated ultraviolet radiation to investigate the role of melanocytes in skin photoprotection. Frontiers in Medicine, 11, Article 1355799. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1355799
• Impact of the Physical Cellular Microenvironment on the Structure and Function of a Model Hepatocyte Cell Line for Drug Toxicity Applications
  
  Allcock, B., Wei, W., Goncalves, K., Hoyle, H., Robert, A., Quelch-Cliffe, R., Hayward, A., Cooper, J., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Impact of the Physical Cellular Microenvironment on the Structure and Function of a Model Hepatocyte Cell Line for Drug Toxicity Applications. Cells, 12(19), Article 2408. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12192408
• Quantitative morphometric analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic skin ageing in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types II–III
  
  Costello, L., Goncalves, K., De Los Santos Gomez, P., Simpson, A., Maltman, V., Ritchie, P., Tasseff, R., Isfort, R., Dicolandrea, T., Wei, X., Määttä, A., Karakesisoglou, I., Markiewicz, E., Bascom, C. C., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Quantitative morphometric analysis of intrinsic and extrinsic skin ageing in individuals with Fitzpatrick skin types II–III. Experimental Dermatology, 32(5), 620-631. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.14754
• Development of a mammalian neurosensory full‐thickness skin equivalent and its application to screen sensitizing stimuli
  
  Freer, M., Darling, N., Goncalves, K., Mills, K. J., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Development of a mammalian neurosensory full‐thickness skin equivalent and its application to screen sensitizing stimuli. Bioengineering & Translational Medicine, 8(3), Article e10484. https://doi.org/10.1002/btm2.10484
• Investigation into the effect of skin tone modulators and exogenous stress on skin pigmentation utilizing a novel bioengineered skin equivalent
  
  Goncalves, K., De Los Santos Gomez, P., Costello, L., Smith, L., Mead, H., Simpson, A., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Investigation into the effect of skin tone modulators and exogenous stress on skin pigmentation utilizing a novel bioengineered skin equivalent. Bioengineering & Translational Medicine, 8(2), Article e10415. https://doi.org/10.1002/btm2.10415
• Regulation of epidermal proliferation and hair follicle cycling by synthetic photostable retinoid EC23
  
  Määttä, A., Nixon, R., Robinson, N., Ambler, C. A., Goncalves, K., Maltman, V., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Regulation of epidermal proliferation and hair follicle cycling by synthetic photostable retinoid EC23. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 22(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.15629
• Development of a novel in vitro strategy to understand the impact of shaving on skin health: combining tape strip exfoliation and human skin equivalent technology
  
  Costello, L., Goncalves, K., Maltman, V., Barrett, N., Shah, K., Stephens, A., Dicolandrea, T., Ambrogio, I., Hodgson, E., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Development of a novel in vitro strategy to understand the impact of shaving on skin health: combining tape strip exfoliation and human skin equivalent technology. Frontiers in Medicine, 10, Article 1236790. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1236790
• Application of biomimetic surfaces and 3D culture technology to study the role of extracellular matrix interactions in neurite outgrowth and inhibition
  
  Goncalves, K., Phillips, S., Shah, D., Athey, D., & Przyborski, S. (2023). Application of biomimetic surfaces and 3D culture technology to study the role of extracellular matrix interactions in neurite outgrowth and inhibition. Biomaterials Advances, 144, Article 213204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.213204
• A robust and reproducible human pluripotent stem cell derived model of neurite outgrowth in a three-dimensional culture system and its application to study neurite inhibition
  
  Clarke, K., Tams, D., Henderson, A., Roger, M., Whiting, A., & Przyborski, S. (2016). A robust and reproducible human pluripotent stem cell derived model of neurite outgrowth in a three-dimensional culture system and its application to study neurite inhibition. Neurochemistry International, 106, 74-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2016.12.009