Research interests
My undergraduate dissertation explored antibiotic and bacteriophage sequential combinatory therapy against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms which are antibiotic tolerant and resistant, causing problems when treating device-associated biofilm infections. Development of novel treatments is essential as methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) ciprofloxacin susceptibility has decreased and antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern.
Why I chose MRes Advanced Biological Science
I chose to study the MRes in Advanced Biological Science to widen my knowledge of infectious diseases. The project I chose is based upon novel parasitoloical research on avian schistosoma which as well as a bird pathogen is a zoonosis causing cercarial dermatitis in humans. We will collect samples of the molluscan intermediate hosts from ponds and rivers within the Southampton area for DNA typing and investigating the morphology of schistosome cercariae.
Aims for the future
I aim to continue my studies to achieve a PhD in microbiology and strive towards a career in developing novel therapies to human infectious disease.
Supervisor: Dr Neil Smyth
Research group
Microbiology
Affiliate research group
MRes Advanced Biological Science
Miss Rebecca Morgan CheethamSchool of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
