Natasha Edwards - Forecasting the next foot-and-mouth disease virus pandemic: informing fitness from in vitro studies and genomic data
Joint studentship with the School of Veterinary Medicine (University of Surrey) and The Pirbright Institute
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
What I appreciate most about doing a PhD is the autonomy I have in directing my own research. It's rewarding to work on a topic that I find interesting and to gradually develop a deeper understanding of it.
Could you share details of the journey that led to your PhD, including any experiences (professional, personal or educational) that have helped shape that path?
After completing a BSc in Animal Science in 2015 at the University of Kent, I worked as a Licensed Technician in the Genetically Engineered Model Services Department at Charles River Laboratories, before progressing to a Project Coordinator position within the same team.
I am now completing my PhD at the Pirbright Institute, investigating potential genome encoded viral fitness factors which could be contributing to FMDV lineage turnover.
In 2020 I completed my MSc in Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Surrey which incorporated a three-month research project using mathematical modelling to investigate the density-dependent/frequency-dependent transmission paradigm when applied to rabies in endemic countries.
After my MSc, I took up a research assistant post in the Vesicular Disease Reference Laboratory at The Pirbright Institute. During this time, I investigated novel molecular diagnostic methods for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), specifically Loop-Mediated isothermal Amplification (LAMP), combining this with bespoke point-of-care technology. I am now completing my PhD at the Pirbright Institute, investigating potential genome encoded viral fitness factors which could be contributing to FMDV lineage turnover.
Supervisors
- Dr Andrew Shaw (The Pirbright Institute),
- Dr Lidia Lasecka-Dykes (The Pirbright Institute)
- Dr Arnoud van Vliet (University of Surrey)
- Professor Dan Horton (APHA, The University of Surrey, The Pirbright Institute)
Microbial evolution and drug resistance Wessex One Health Doctoral Landscape Programme