About
I am a Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology in the Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology (CIMI) at the University of Liverpool. My research applies structural biology and enzymology to understand the molecular mechanisms that underpin bacterial virulence, with a particular focus on the multidrug-resistant pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii.
I trained as a Biochemist at the University of Birmingham, where I obtained an MSci before continuing there for my PhD under the supervision of Professor Andrew Lovering. My doctoral research investigated key enzymes from a “living antibiotic” bacterium, sparking my interest in the relationship between protein structure and biological function. Following my PhD, I joined the University of St Andrews as a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Dr Clarissa Czekster, where I continued exploring enzyme mechanisms, whilst delving into inhibitor design.
In my current role, my group uses a multidisciplinary approach that integrates structural biology, chemical biology, and microbiology to dissect the molecular basis of A. baumannii virulence. By linking protein structure to function, we aim to identify new ways to disrupt infection pathways and ultimately develop inhibitors that can inform future anti-virulence strategies against antimicrobial resistance.