Professor Mhairi Copland initially undertook a medical degree and training in Aberdeen, UK before moving to Glasgow UK to train in haematology. She completed a PhD with Professor Tessa Holyoake at the University of Glasgow on CML stem cells and novel therapies. Professor Copland has remained at the University of Glasgow since and now has a research group studying leukaemia stem cells in AML and CML, as well as novel therapies.

Professor Copland has specific expertise in clinical trials in CML and acute leukaemia, with specific interests in leukameia stem cells, novel therapies in myeloid leukaemias, self-renewal pathways and blast phase CML.