I am a microbiologist with a focus on sustainability, applied microbiology and infection prevention. After reading my first degree in Microbiology at Cardiff University, I took a gap year culminating in working for Mother Theresa's nuns in Kolkata, India. I came back to train as a nurse at Bournemouth University. While working as a Critical Care nurse in Dorset, I studied with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to gain my MSc Infectious Disease. I spent the next few years fulfilling a lifelong ambition to work in both primary and secondary healthcare settings in developing countries. On my return to the UK, I studied for my PhD at Swansea University investigating novel anti-microbial compounds produced by Streptomyces. I stayed at Swansea University for two post-doctoral positions. The first project investigated the transcriptomics and proteomics of competing wood decay fungi, followed by a second project looking at metabolomics and stress responses in Burkholderia. I held my first academic position at Solent University, establishing my own research group investigating mycoremediation of plastic waste. I joined Kingston in January 2021 and continue to grow my research interests in enhancing sustainability of applied microbiology, specifically bioremediation of plastics, antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention nursing. I went back to nursing at the start of the pandemic and currently work part-time in Critical Care at Southampton General Hospital.
I am currently General Secretary of Applied Microbiology International and I sit on the Council of the Royal Society of Biology. I am actively involved in the policy work of both societies and regularly contribute to policy documents and position statements, commenting on draft Government legislation and contributing to evidence for Select Committee enquiries.
Lecturer in Eukaryotic Microbiology
I took this image and wrote the accompanying abstract during my PhD for the Research as Art competition at Swansea University. I think it sums up why I love research and how the microbial world inspires me.
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