What is your role at LSHTM? 

I am a final year PhD student in the department of Infection Biology, supervised by Michael Delves. Our group is interested in gametocyte biology.  

Tell us a bit about a project that you are currently working on? 

My PhD project is focused on gametocyte energy metabolism. Gametocytes are an important target for transmission-blocking interventions but are resistant to most antimalarials. My aims are to identify potential regulators of gametocyte energy metabolism which I think is important to their survival and onward development in the mosquito and to better understand energy metabolism in male and female gametocytes. Energy metabolism is thought to be a good drug target in parasites as it is often divergent from their human hosts. Hopefully, my work will reveal vulnerabilities that could be exploited as new transmission-blocking drug and vaccine targets in the future.  

When and how did you start working on malaria? 

I started working on malaria when I began my PhD here at LSHTM in 2019.  

Where are you from? 

I’m from a village in Surrey called Banstead. It is a bit quiet for me so I am glad I live in London now. However, it is easy to go for nature walks there so that is a nice aspect of visiting home.  

What did you want to be when you were growing up? 

A marine biologist, I think! I briefly thought I wanted to do medicine but thankfully I came to my senses as I think I’m much better suited to parasitology.  

What’s your favourite place? 

The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History – a museum and bar in Hackney.  

‘When I’m not working, I am…’ 

… often at gigs and music festivals. I go to events in a variety of genres but anyone who knows me well knows that metal has a special place in my heart.  

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? 

Is ‘more haste, less speed’ too much of a cliché?