Dr Sarah Haywood-Small BSc PhD FHEA

Associate Head

Summary

Associate Head with over 15 years of experience in the School of Bioscience and Chemistry at Sheffield Hallam University. Since joining the School Leadership team, I have implemented data-driven strategies that significantly enhanced student engagement and satisfaction. My leadership style, embodying Hallam's values of inclusivity and innovation, has fostered a collaborative environment driving academic excellence.

My research focuses on cancer pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment, exemplifying Hallam's commitment to real-world impact. I balance research activities with innovative teaching methods and community engagement.

My track redevelopment and spearheading initiatives that improved PTES scores across all metrics, leading curriculum development, and managing key operational aspects of the School. My expertise spans quality assurance, stakeholder management, and strategic planning, making her adept at driving overall performance and fostering growth in higher education setting.

About

Inspirational Teaching Awards:

I have a strong passion to be at the forefront of practice and I am fortunate to have internal and external recognition for my teaching (Inspirational Teaching Awards, Faculty and University winner in both 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2020/21).

As a result of continued learner feedback, I was also the recipient of the Vice Chancellors Award in September 2021.

Teaching

School of Biosciences and Chemistry

College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences

Subject area

Cancer Biology

Courses

Across the MSc/MRes and BSc courses in the School of Biosciences and Chemistry and BSc

Research

Research interests focus on breathomics as a non-Invasive early diagnostic tool for malignant mesothelioma and detecting selected asbestos mineral fibres and biomarker discovery using multiplex analytical techniques. Other studies are exploring novel therapeutic PDT reagents specifically targeted to the mesothelioma tumour microenviroment.

Cellular interactions and Immunoregulation in Cancer

My principal research interests involve cellular interactions and immunoregulation; especially the importance of these mechanisms in cancer.

Research over the past decade has greatly increased our understanding of non-apoptotic programmed cell death events, such as necrosis and cell death with autophagy. It is becoming clear that an intricate effector network connects many of these classical and non-classical death pathways. My primary research interest is to examine these pathways, as well as to exploit this newly gained knowledge to provide therapeutics for cancer.

Understanding the Pathogenesis of Mesothelioma

Current laboratory investigations are focussing on the physical profile of selected mineral fibres and emerging biomarkers in mesothelioma using a combination of mass spectrometry, flow cytometry and histopathology techniques. Other aims include biomarker discovery using multiplex analytical techniques and to contribute to the knowledge base surrounding mesothelioma pathogenesis. Such techniques would ultimately involve future integration into the clinical workflow; diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring of mesothelioma, as well as contributing to knowledge about the pathogenesis of the disease.

Improving the Management of Fibromyalgia

Other collaborative research interests explore the life and treatment experience of people in the United Kingdom with fibromyalgia to inform the development of treatments which are both effective and acceptable to users.

Publications

Journal articles

Little, L.D., Barnett, S.E., Issitt, T., Bonsall, S., Carolan, V., Allen, E., ... Haywood-Small, S. (2024). Volatile Organic Compound Analysis of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Chorioallantoic Membrane Xenografts. Journal of breath research, 18 (4). http://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/ad7166

Chandler, K., Millar, J., Ward, G., Boyall, C., White, T., Ready, J.D., ... Peake, N. (2023). Imaging of Light-Enhanced Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Delivery of Oxaliplatin to Colorectal Cancer Cells via Laser Ablation, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Cells, 13 (1). http://doi.org/10.3390/cells13010024

Furness, P., Shelton, T., Beresford, R., Lawson, K., Taylor, S., & Haywood-Small, S. (2023). Remote care for chronic pain: A qualitative evaluation with managers, practitioners and patients. Journal of Pain Management, 15 (4). https://novapublishers.com/shop/volume-15-issue-4-2022-journal-of-pain-management/

Furness, P., Shelton, T., Beresford, R., Lawson, K., Taylor, S., & Haywood-Small, S. (2023). Physiotherapy for fibromyalgia: a phenomenological study of patients’ experiences. Journal of Pain Management, 15 (4). https://novapublishers.com/shop/volume-15-issue-4-2022-journal-of-pain-management/

Bonsall, S., Hubbard, S., Jithin, U., Anslow, J., Todd, D., Rowding, C., ... Haywood-Small, S. (2022). Water-soluble truncated fatty acid–porphyrin conjugates provide photo-sensitizer activity for photodynamic therapy in malignant mesothelioma. Cancers, 14 (21). http://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14215446

Voloaca, O.M., Clench, M., Koellensperger, G., Cole, L., Haywood-Small, S., & Theiner, S. (2022). Elemental Mapping of Human Malignant Mesothelioma Tissue Samples Using High-Speed LA-ICP-TOFMS Imaging. Analytical Chemistry, 94, 2597-2606. http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04857

Elrayess, R.A., Mohallal, M.E., Mobarak, Y.M., Ebaid, H.M., Haywood-Small, S., Miller, K., ... Abdel-Rahman, M.A. (2022). Scorpion Venom Antimicrobial Peptides Induce Caspase-1 Dependant Pyroptotic Cell Death. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12. http://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.788874

Arhoma, A., Southan, J., Chantry, A.D., Haywood-Small, S.L., & Cross, N.A. (2021). EZH2 inhibition enhances TRAIL responses in multiple myeloma but not in quiescent cells. BioRxiv. http://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.23.453217

Taylor, S., Furness, P., Ashe, S., Haywood-Small, S., & Lawson, K. (2021). Comorbid Conditions, Mental Health and Cognitive Functions in Adults with Fibromyalgia. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 43 (2), 115-122. http://doi.org/10.1177/0193945920937429

Russo, C., Heaton, C., Flint, L., Voloaca, O., Haywood-Small, S., Clench, M., ... Cole, L. (2020). Emerging applications in mass spectrometry imaging; enablers and roadblocks. Journal of Spectral Imaging, 9, 1-21. http://doi.org/10.1255/jsi.2020.a13

Little, L.D., Carolan, V.A., Allen, K.E., Cole, L.M., & Haywood-Small, S.L. (2020). Headspace analysis of mesothelioma cell lines differentiates biphasic and epithelioid sub-types. Journal of Breath Research, 14 (4), 046011. http://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/abaaff

Voloaca, O.M., Greenhalgh, C.J., Cole, L., Clench, M.R., Managh, A.J., & Haywood-Small, S. (2020). Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as a novel clinical imaging tool to detect asbestos fibres in malignant mesothelioma. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 34 (21), e8906. http://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.8906

Greenhalgh, C.J., Voloaca, O.M., Shaw, P., Donard, A., Cole, L.M., Clench, M.R., ... Haywood-Small, S.L. (2020). Needles in haystacks: using fast-response LA chambers and ICP-TOF-MS to identify asbestos fibres in malignant mesothelioma models. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry. http://doi.org/10.1039/d0ja00268b

Furness, P. (2019). A qualitative exploration of experiences of physiotherapy among people with fibromyalgia in the United Kingdom. Pain and Rehabilitation - the Journal of Physiotherapy Pain Association, 2020 (48), 37-47. https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ppa/pr/2019/00002020/00000048/art00006

Mahbub, A.A., Le Maitre, C., Haywood-Small, S., Cross, N., & Jordan-Mahy, N. (2019). Polyphenols enhance the activity of alkylating agents in leukaemia cell lines. Oncotarget, 10 (44). http://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.27068

Taylor, S., Steer, M., Ashe, S., Furness, P., Haywood-Small, S., & Lawson, K. (2018). Patients' perspective of the effectiveness and acceptability of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of fibromyalgia. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. http://doi.org/10.1515/sjpain-2018-0116

Furness, P., Vogt, K., Ashe, S., Taylor, S., Haywood-Small, S., & Lawson, K. (2018). What causes Fibromyalgia? An online survey of patient perspectives. Health Psychology Open, 5 (2). http://doi.org/10.1177/2055102918802683

Arhoma, A., Chantry, A.D., Haywood-Small, S., & Cross, N. (2017). SAHA-induced TRAIL-sensitisation of Multiple Myeloma cells is enhanced in 3D cell culture. Experimental cell research. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.09.012

Mahbub, A., Le Maitre, C., Haywood-Small, S., Cross, N., & Jordan-Mahy, N. (2017). Dietary polyphenols influence antimetabolite agents: methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine and 5-fluorouracil in leukemia cell lines. Oncotarget, 8 (62), 104877-104893. http://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.20501

Ashe, S., Furness, P., Taylor, S., Haywood-Small, S., & Lawson, K. (2017). A qualitative exploration of the experiences of living with and being treated for fibromyalgia. Health Psychology Open, 4 (2), 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1177/2055102917724336

Andrews, A.M., Haywood-Small, S., Smith, T., & Stafford, P. (2017). Interactions of periodontal pathogens with megakaryocytic cells and platelets. Journal of Oral Microbiology, 9 (sup1), 1325245. http://doi.org/10.1080/20002297.2017.1325245

Ashe, S., Furness, P., Taylor, S., Haywood-Small, S., & Lawson, K. (2016). "Not all in my head": a qualitative exploration of living with fibromyalgia and its treatments (Oral presentation). The European Health Psychologist, 18 (Supp), 695. http://www.ehps.net/ehp/index.php/contents/article/view/2048

Mahbub, A.A., Le Maitre, C.L., Haywood-Small, S.L., Cross, N.A., & Jordan-Mahy, N. (2015). Glutathione is key to the synergistic enhancement of doxorubicin and etoposide by polyphenols in leukaemia cell lines. Cell Death and Disease, 6, e2028. http://doi.org/10.1038/cddis.2015.379

Mahbub, A.A., Le Maitre, C.L., Haywood-Small, S.L., Cross, N.A., & Jordan-Mahy, N. (2015). Polyphenols act synergistically with doxorubicin and etoposide in leukaemia cell lines. Cell Death Discovery, 1 (15043), 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1038/cddiscovery.2015.43

Zaini, R., Haywood-Small, S., Cross, N., & Le Maitre, C. (2015). Differential interactions of Falcarinol combined with anti-tumour agents on cellular proliferation and apoptosis in human lymphoid leukaemia cell lines. Journal of Blood Disorders and Transfusion, 6 (2). http://doi.org/10.4172/2155-9864.1000258

Mahbub, A.A., Le Maitre, C., Haywood-Small, S., McDougall, G.J., Cross, N., & Jordan-Mahy, N. (2013). Differential effects of polyphenols on proliferation and apoptosis in human myeloid and lymphoid leukemia cell lines. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry, 13 (10), 1601-1613. http://doi.org/10.2174/18715206113139990303

Cole, L.M., Mahmoud, K., Haywood-Small, S., Tozer, G.M., Smith, D.P., & Clench, M.R. (2013). Recombinant "IMS TAG" proteins - A new method for validating bottom-up matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation ion mobility separation mass spectrometry imaging. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 27 (21), 2355-2362. http://doi.org/10.1002/rcm.6693

Battle, R., Poole, K., Haywood-Small, S., Clark, B., & Woodroofe, N. (2012). Molecular characterisation of the monocytic cell line THP-1 demonstrates a discrepancy with the documented HLA type. International Journal of Cancer, 132 (1), 246-247. http://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.27661

Doherty, R.E., Haywood-Small, S.L., Sisley, K., & Cross, N.A. (2011). Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity selects for the holoclone phenotype in prostate cancer cells. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 414 (4), 801-807. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.10.010

Haywood-Small, S.L., Vernon, D.I., Griffiths, J., Schofield, J., & Brown, S.B. (2006). Erratum to “Phthalocyanine-mediated photodynamic therapy induces cell death and a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in cervical cancer cells” [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 339 (2006) 569–576]. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 341 (2), 673. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.01.001

Haywood-Small, S.L., Vernon, D.I., Griffiths, J., Schofield, J., & Brown, S.B. (2006). Phthalocyanine-mediated photodynamic therapy induces cell death and a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in cervical cancer cells. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 339 (2), 569-576. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.11.046

Lawson, K., Furness, P., Shelton, T., Beresford, R., Taylor, S., & Haywood-Small, S. (n.d.). Physiotherapy for fibromyalgia: A phenomenological study ofpatients’ experiences. Journal of Pain Management.

Conference papers

Mahbub, A., Le Maitre, C., Haywood-Small, S.L., McDougall, G., Cross, N.A., & Jordan-Mahy, N. (2012). The Anti-cancerous Potential of Polyphenols in the Treatment of Human Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukaemia. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, 228, S34.

Haywood-Small, S.L., Hopkinson, K., Stephenson, T.J., Reed, M.W.R., Woodroofe, N., Brown, N.J., & Pockley, A.G. (2010). Influence of apoptotic and necrotic tumour cells on tumour growth and the prevalence of CD4⁺ CD25^high regulatory T cells. IMMUNOLOGY, 131, 112-113.

Book chapters

Haywood-Small, S. (2017). "A Future Amalgamation Between the Scientist and the Clinician?". In Cole, L. (Ed.) Imaging mass spectrometry : methods and protocols. (pp. 1-6). New York: Humana Press: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7051-3_1

Theses / Dissertations

Day, V.Z. (2023). Functionality of stored cryopreservedlymphocytes and preservation ofantigen-specific responses. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Haywood-Small, S., & Woodroofe, N. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00612

Little, L.D. (2022). Volatile organic compounds as breathomicviomarkers of malignant mesothelioma. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Haywood-Small, S., Carolan, V., Allen, L., & Cole, L. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00495

Voloacă, O.M. (2022). A multimodal approach to identify asbestos and characterise clinically relevant mesothelioma biomarkers. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Haywood-Small, S. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00479

Mahbub, A.A.-.H. (2015). The anti-cancer potential of polyphenols in the treatment of leukaemia. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Jordan-Mahy, N., Cross, N., Le Maitre, C., & Haywood-Small, S.

Other activities

Dr Haywood-Small routinely reviews grants and provides scientific support for the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Sarah Haywood-Small