I graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 1998 with a BSc hon in Medical Microbiology and a thirst to know more about bacterial disease. I discovered the awesomeness of bacteriophages during my MAFF-Funded PhD case studentship at The University of Liverpool (1998-2003): Shigatoxigenic phage infection of Escherichia coli. I moved on to explore inter-species interactions in polymicrobial dental biofilms as an NIH-funded post-doctoral researcher at The University of Florida, USA (2003-2006). Next, I joined a Marie-Curie RTN Networks project on transport of antibiotics across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria in Aix-Marseille Université, France (2006-2008). Moving back to the UK with my young family, I returned to The University of Liverpool and to phages as a named Wellcome Trust Postdoctoral Fellow investigating how bacteriophages affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections of the cystic fibrosis lung (2009-2012).
I was appointed lecturer in medical microbiology at The University of Salford in 2012 and was awarded chair in microbiology in 2022.
Research Interests
My primary research centers around temperate bacteriophages and how their carriage alters the biology of their bacterial hosts. I also lead projects investigating host-pathogen interactions and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
I am passionate about the open sharing of scientific research through public engagement and outreach. I work across disciplines and with creative practitioners to develop immersive and engaging installations to improve public interest in microbiology.
Teaching and Learning
I teach a wide range of Microbiology topics: basic structure, growth and identification in 1st year, microbial genetics, signalling and community behaviours in second year, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), vaccines, phages and public health in 3rd year, and infectious disease control at masters level. I supervise final year and masters projects linked to my research in AMR and phages.
Module Leadership:
- Microbial Communities and Interactions. L5 Human Biology & Infectious Disease
- Infectious Disease Control. L7 Biomedical Science and Global Health & Environment.
