Dr Frank Voncken is a Lecturer in Medical Microbiology (incl. Parasitology) at the University of Hull, where he previously led a research programme focused on mitochondrial metabolite transporters and energy metabolism in medically important human parasites. His role combined internationally recognised research expertise in parasite cell biology with the supervision and training of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral researchers.
He currently delivers and designs teaching across Biomedical Science and Forensic Science programmes, over time contributing to a wide curriculum spanning microbiology, parasitology, molecular biology, biotechnology, professional skills and forensic DNA analysis. Drawing on over 30 years of higher education experience across Europe, he integrates research-led teaching with curriculum development and academic leadership.
In addition, Dr Voncken serves as the Level 4 Year Lead for the Biomedical Science and Forensic Science programmes, providing academic leadership and coordination at foundation level.
In parallel to his Teaching role, Dr Frank Voncken serves as the appointed University Biological Safety Officer, providing strategic oversight of biosafety governance, regulatory compliance, and institutional risk management.
Dr Frank Voncken’s academic career focused on advancing understanding of specialised organelles in eukaryotic human pathogens, particularly parasitic protozoa. During his PhD at the University of Nijmegen (1992–1998), he conducted pioneering research on hydrogenosomes - mitochondria-related organelles in anaerobic protozoa and fungi - providing important insights into their evolution, function, and compartmentalised energy metabolism, including the identification of novel metabolic pathways.
He subsequently undertook postdoctoral research at the Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg (1998–2006), under Professor Christine Clayton, where he investigated glycosomes in medically important kinetoplastid parasites such as Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania. This work clarified key aspects of their peroxisome-related biology and metabolic organisation and compartmentalisation.In recognition of his scientific contributions, Dr Voncken was awarded a competitive Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) research grant (2003–2006), supporting his independent research as a Research Associate at ZMBH. His research during this period focused on parasite energy metabolism, with particular emphasis on the identification and functional characterisation of glycosomal and mitochondrial pathways, including mitochondrial carrier family (MCF) proteins that are central to the regulation of eukaryotic energy metabolism.
Dr Frank Voncken joined the University of Hull in 2006 as a Lecturer in Medical Microbiology (incl. Parasitology), continuing his leadership of a research group focused on mitochondrial metabolite transporters in medically important human parasites.
He brings over 30 years of teaching experience across undergraduate and postgraduate (MSc and PhD) programmes, gained in three European countries. Within the Centre for Biomedicine (HYMS), he has made sustained contributions to the design and delivery of modules across Biomedical Science and Forensic Science programmes. His past and present teaching portfolio encompasses a broad range of disciplines, including medical microbiology, infectious diseases and immunity, molecular and medical parasitology, drug discovery, biochemistry, molecular cell biology, genetics, proteomics, physiology, biotechnology, biomedical research skills, and forensic analytical techniques, with particular expertise in forensic DNA analysis.
Since 2011, Dr Voncken has served as Biological Safety Officer at the University of Hull, providing strategic oversight and expert leadership in biosafety governance, regulatory compliance, and institutional risk management
My research interests focus on the molecular and cellular basis of parasite biology, with particular emphasis on energy metabolism and therapeutic intervention in medically important eukaryotic pathogens. Specifically, my work addresses:
(1) the energy metabolism of parasites responsible for major human diseases, including Human African Trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma brucei), Malaria (Plasmodium spp.), and Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii;
(2) the compartmentalisation of energy-generating and associated metabolic pathways within specialised and atypical organelles, such as hydrogenosomes, glycosomes, apicoplasts, and highly reduced mitochondria characteristic of many parasitic species;
(3) the identification and functional characterisation of mitochondrial metabolite transporters, particularly members of the mitochondrial carrier family (MCF), across parasites and other eukaryotes;
(4) the discovery and validation of novel drug targets, alongside the development of effective chemotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of parasitic diseases affecting humans.
Dr Frank Voncken has over 30 years of teaching experience across all levels of higher education, encompassing undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc and PhD) programmes, gained in three European countries.
Within the Centre for Biomedicine, he contributes extensively to the design, development, and delivery of modules across the Biomedical Science and Forensic Science curricula. His teaching portfolio covers a broad range of disciplines, including medical microbiology, infectious diseases and immunity, molecular and medical parasitology, biochemistry, molecular cell biology, genetics, human and microbial physiology, proteomics, biotechnology and industrial applications, biomedical research skills, and forensic analytical techniques, with particular expertise in forensic DNA analysis.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr Frank Voncken currently serves as the Level 4 Year Lead for the IBMS-accredited Biomedical Science programme and the CSFS-accredited Forensic Science programme within the Centre for Biomedicine, providing academic leadership and coordination at foundation level.
I'm currently not offering postgraduate research opportunities.
Since 2020, Dr Frank Voncken has served as Biosafety Advisor and appointed competent person on the Genetic Modification Safety Committee at Castle Hill Hospital, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Over the years, he has acted as an expert reviewer for major funding bodies, including the Medical Research Council (Infection and Immunity Board), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Research Grants Board, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the EU among others.
He has also held editorial roles as academic editor for a range of peer-reviewed scientific journals, contributing to the maintenance of high standards in scholarly publishing.