Mark Burton joined Biological Sciences in December 2016 as a Research Technician in the Epigen Research Group after submission of his PhD research thesis investigating the effects of folic acid supplementation on genes implicated in breast cancer. Mark initially completed a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies and Psychology working within the area of sports physiology before completing a second degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Southampton in 2011, with a research project based on Neurobiology and Behaviour. He then completed an MSc in Molecular Neuroscience at the University of Bristol investigating the effects of stress on glucocorticoid function in the brain. During this period Mark developed an interest in epigenetic regulation and how the environment can affect molecular regulation and modify disease risk. He is currently working on a research grant investigating the effects of epigenetic regulation on diabetes.

My research interests are focused on the area of developmental epigenetics, specifically the effects of folic acid intake on genes associated with the development of breast cancer. My PhD investigated the level and timing of folic acid supplementation during the life-course on the epigenetic regulation of key genes, BRCA1, OCT-4, and EZH2 which are implicated in breast cancer development. This addressed the general hypothesis that folic acid intake during specific periods of the life course leads to persistent dose and tissue-dependent epigenetic changes in genes involved in determining cancer risk.