Advancing Redox Biology and Ferroptosis Research: Insights from Prof. Charareh Pourzand on Interdisciplinary Innovation
On April 12-13, 2026, during the Element Science Global Summit 2026 held at the First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China, the Editorial office of Element conducted a special interview with Prof. Charareh Pourzand from the University of Bath, UK, Deputy Editor of Element - shared her perspectives on the emerging convergence of oxidative stress, iron homeostasis, and ferroptosis, as well as the growing importance of interdisciplinary and technology-driven research in modern biomedical science.
This interview explored several evolving themes in redox biology and skin research, including UV-induced oxidative stress, iron-driven inflammation, ferroptosis, advanced imaging technologies, and translational antioxidant strategies. Prof. Pourzand discussed how redox imbalance, iron metabolism, and regulated cell death are increasingly being understood as interconnected biological processes relevant not only to skin biology, but also to inflammation, aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining mechanistic rigor in rapidly expanding research areas such as ferroptosis while encouraging innovation across chemistry, biology, medicine, and imaging technologies.
Interview Questions:
Q1: Your recent publications connect UV-induced oxidative stress, iron homeostasis, and ferroptosis in skin biology - do you see these processes converging into a unified redox-iron-cell death axis, and how should journals like Element position themselves to lead this emerging conceptual integration?
Q2: Your work spans from fundamental photobiology to advanced imaging and even translational antioxidant strategies - how can a journal like Element best curate studies that cross chemistry, biology, and medicine without losing mechanistic depth?
Q3: With increasing interest in ferroptosis and iron-driven inflammation in skin and beyond, what criteria should Element use to distinguish truly novel mechanistic insights from rapidly growing but potentially repetitive studies in this space?
Q4: Your publications also involve cutting-edge tools such as multiphoton imaging and molecular probes - should Element place stronger emphasis on technology-driven discoveries as a way to differentiate itself from more traditional biology-focused journals?
Q5: As a Deputy Editor of Element, how can the journal better integrate early-career researchers and emerging scientific communities into its reviewer and author base while maintaining strong editorial rigor and high scientific standards?
About Prof. Charareh Pourzand:
Prof Charareh Pourzand, PhD/DSc, FHEA, FRSB is the co-founder and co-Chair of the International Skin@Bath Network events from 2017. At the University of Bath, she holds the positions of 'Personal Chair in Pharmaceutical Biology' at the Department of Life Sciences and 'Associate Dean (CCI)' at the Faculty of Sciences. She also leads the 'UVA Photobiology, iron and Oxidative Stress' research group at the Department of Life Sciences and her unique expertise in this field has been recognised internationally for over two decades. During this period, she has also had solid collaborative projects with industrial partners interested in her innovative approaches for sun protection and the therapy of iron-related skin disorders, advancing the development of next generation skincare and topical-based therapies. Prof Pourzand have completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the Universities of Neuchatel and Lausanne in Switzerland and obtained the prestigious degree of Doctor Es Sciences at the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research affiliated to the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Managing Editor: Victoria Lee
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Element
