About
I studied Veterinary Medicine at the University of Liverpool, graduating in 2015, and also completed a Master’s degree in Infectious Disease and Epidemiology. Since then, I have continued at Liverpool in a research role, completing my PhD in Veterinary Microbiology in 2019, where I investigated symbiotic bacteria of biting midges and their potential to influence pathogen transmission to livestock. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with the Centre for Genomic Research on surveillance of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants and contributed to the development of cost-effective approaches for monitoring outbreaks. My research has since focused on mosquito-microbe interactions in the UK, including the detection of neglected mosquito-borne viruses. I am currently undertaking an HBLB Postdoctoral Fellowship aimed at improving UK preparedness for equine mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus, through social science research with Thoroughbred-sector stakeholders and the evaluation of mosquito control interventions. My day-to-day job involves several different methodological approaches including insect laboratory and field work, molecular biology, genomics and virology techniques.