I am a trained and HCPC registered Clinical Scientist in Microbiology, with a specialist interest in Sexually Transmitted Infections. I've been involved in various research studies including HSV, syphilis and gonorrhoea. A particular interest of mine is antimicrobial resistance in STIs and specifically Neisseria gonorrhoeae. I received a B.Sc. (Hons) in Infectious Diseases from the University of East London and subsequently gained an M.Sc. in Clinical Microbiology by Queen Mary University of London and Pg.Dip. in Sexual Health by Glasgow Caledonian University. I was accepted in the competitive clinical scientist training programme with the British National Health Service and as part of this, sat the FRCPath Part 1 examination in Clinical Microbiology.
I am actively involved in the shortlisting and assessments for the NHS Scientist Training Programme and I am part of the London Training Consortium for STP Trainees.
Affiliations
Centres
Teaching
Teaching
MSc Programmes:
Medical Microbiology
Control of Infectious Diseases
MSc Modules:
Core Bacteriology & Virology
Diagnostic Bacteriology (co-MO)
Clinical Virology (co-MO)
Mycology (co-DMO)
I lead the Core Bacteriology, Core Virology and Clinical Virology practical teaching for the MSc in Medical Microbiology and support practical classes for Diagnostic Bacteriology and Mycology modules. I also deliver lectures in the Core Bacteriology, Diagnostic Bacteriology and Introduction to Disease Agents and Their Control modules. I regularly supervise MSc project students.
2013-2014: Multi-site Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection and antimicrobial resistance
2014-2015: Optimisation of broth culture for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and gene transfer from commensal Neisseria species
2016-2017: Understanding the mechanism of resistance for the novel antimicrobial closthioamide in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
2018-2019: Antimicrobial susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae strains to chlorhexidine by agar dilution and microbroth dilution method
2018-2019: Carriage and characterisation of commensal Neisseria species in the human pharynx
2019-2020: Literature Review of Viability PCR within Clinical Microbiology
2019-2020: Systematic Review of gonococcal post-cephalospirin treatment failures
2021-2022: Induction of chlorhexidine resistance in susceptible Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains
Research
Research interests: Clinical diagnostics, Antimicrobial resistance, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pharyngeal gonorrhoea, AMR surveillance, Health Services Research.
My research focuses on antimicrobial resistant gonorrhoea and how pharyngeal infection facilitates development and transmission of AMR. Specifically I am interested in the role of commensal species in the genetic transfer of AMR genes, as well as the evaluation novel treatments for gonorrhoea such as topical antiseptics.
I am evaluating the in vitro efficacy of chlorhexidine against N. gonorrhoeae with the view to implement chlorhexidine containing solutions as gonococcal treatment, thereby improving antimicrobial stewardship.
Selected Publications
