Research Areas

Dr. Purcell’s earlier research career focused on biomedical sciences working firstly on mast cells and then on in vitro models for pre-clinical studies. She developed three-dimensional organotypic cell culture models for drug discovery and toxicology testing and patented methods of production and high throughput screening tests. Her work was funded by UK Research Councils, the European Union, and pharmaceutical companies in the UK and USA. At Harvard, Dr. Purcell led research on a Culture of Health, COVID-19 and aviation, and human flourishing, More recently, Dr. Purcell turned her attention to sustainability, leadership and governance, and the transformational nature of higher education working in concert with business and the community in advancing a world that leaves no one behind. She is Editor-in-Chief of Merits, Series Editor of a 17-book series on Higher Education and the SDGs, and deputy/associate editor of a range of international journals in the field of climate, sustainability, leadership, and higher education.

Research Highlights

• Immunopharmacology and mast cells. Characterization of differential release of histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine, effect of neurotropic factors, role in the neuroimmune axis.
• Development of organotypic cell cultures for pre-clinical studies. Creation of novel means of production for liver and brain spheroids, high-throughput screening tests and regimen, ecotoxicology.
• Sustainability, higher education, and transformational change. Organizational change, sustainability and enterprise, SDGs and higher education.

Scholarly Activities

• Chair Global Editorial Advisory Board, Emerald Publishing Ltd. for ‘Higher Education and the SDGs’
• Member of the Scientific Committee of the International Conference on Sustainable Development
• Member of the Organizing Committee US Mission 4.7 Transformative Education, Sustainable Development Solutions Network
• Governing Board Member European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance, EELISA of the European University
• Member of the Human Resources Committee, BioNJ.
• Member Harvard McLean Institute of Coaching
• Member of the Rutgers Global Health Research Institute
• Member of the Rutgers Climate and Energy Research Institute
• Member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University
• Member of the National Institute of Health Center for Environmental Exposure and Disease, Rutgers University
• Special Adviser to the Board of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges
• Founder Member Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce Sustainability Network Steering Committee
• Goal Adviser ‘The Fairer Society’, Emerald Publishing Ltd.
• Elected Member International Women’s Forum (UK) and Massachusetts Women’s Forum (2018-date).
• Judge International Green Gown Awards, Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges.
• Fellow of the Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges
• Awardee Her Majesty The Queen’s Anniversary Prize, for Higher and Further Education
• Member Organizing Committee 15^th International Neurotoxicology Conference: Manganese Toxicology, Atlanta, USA.
• Member Organizing Committee 14^th International Neurotoxicology Conference: Neuroimmunotoxicology, Arkansas, USA.