Detection, prevention and intervention
Research theme aim: to identify novel points of intervention for a wide range of pathogens, and train students in diagnostics and development of novel antimicrobials.
Exemplar project: Designing an antiviral drug for Rift Valley Fever Virus.
Research projects and students
Assessing the role of microRNAs in CHIKV Cellular Entry and Their Therapeutic Applications
Elle Campbell
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; Universty
About Elle
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
I find the concept of researching a novel topic very exciting. I love the independence you get to direct your research during a PhD. I also decided to choose a project which is quite different to things I have done before and therefore, I have really enjoyed learning new techniques. Meeting other researchers and getting the chance to present my work at the WHO symposium and other conferences has been a good way to increase my confidence and get different points of view and inspiration to help shape my project.
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?
I decided I wanted to be a virologist when I undertook a placement year at The Pirbright Institute as part of my undergraduate degree. I loved learning new techniques, going to conferences and being able to attend weekly seminars. I finished my degree in the COVID-19 pandemic and, instead of going straight back into being a student, I decided to work at UKHSA Porton Down as a research scientist. During my time at Porton Down, I learnt how to work at Containment Level 3 and I wrote a number of grant and scientific manuscripts. Yet, the research I was working on was very niche and so, I decided to pursue a PhD to increase my skillset and get the opportunity to work in a university environment.
Supervisors
- Dr Leandro Castellano (University of Sussex)
- Dr Edward Wright (University of Sussex)
- Dr Naomi Forrester-Soto (The Pirbright Institute)
Designing an antiviral drug for Rift Valley Fever Virus
Natalie Goel
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
About Natalie
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
My favourite part of my PhD is being in the laboratory, learning laboratory skills and techniques that are novel to me. Every day I am building my confidence and proficiency within the lab, which is exciting. I appreciate being challenged to manage my own experiments and project, while also contributing to a wider scientific question. Researching my project and undertaking wider reading around the topic interests me, and I enjoy having a tailored focus to extend my knowledge on.
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?
Completing my undergraduate degree in Bioveterinary Science gave me an understanding of the importance of zoonotic disease control along with the opportunity to undertake a laboratory research project in molecular biology. My research project allowed me to absorb working within a research focussed laboratory, as well as develop my knowledge in molecular research which is the basis of my PhD. I also completed a year in industry during my undergraduate degree where I gained experience in a diagnostic laboratory. This opportunity consolidated my goal to pursue a career in a laboratory, as well as providing me with industry experience and knowledge within a range of techniques. Undertaking this experience enhanced my confidence within the laboratory, giving me the self-assurance I needed to apply for a PhD. Overall, both my undergraduate and industry experience combined confirmed that completing a PhD was the appropriate next step for me.
Supervisors
- Dr Antony Oliver (University of Sussex)
- Dr Frances Pearl (University of Sussex)
- Rachel Ireland (Dstl)
Harnessing antibody responses to develop therapeutic strategies for respiratory infections
Emily Briggs
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; The Pirbright Institute
About Emily
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
I enjoy the breadth of skills I've gained throughout my PhD. This project has allowed me to explore a range of techniques from flow cytometry to sequencing and cloning, and has given me experience in running large in vivo studies.
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?
My undergraduate degree was in Infection and Immunity BSc (First-class Hons) which allowed me to undertake a 6 month research project in my final year. This gave me my first experience of lab based research. After my undergraduate degree I then undertook a MSc by Research at the University of St Andrews which allowed me to fully immerse myself in the world of scientific research and understand more about what a PhD would look like as well as learning more laboratory techniques and skills.
Supervisors
- Professor Elma Tchilian (The Pirbright Institute),
- Professor Christine Rollier (University of Surrey)
- Professor Carlos Maluquer de Motes (University of Surrey)
Defining the immunopotentiation mechanisms of novel avian influenza vaccines in chickens
Oenone Bodman-Harris
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; The Pirbright Institute
About Oenone
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
The things I most enjoy about my PhD is having the ability to learn new skills and techniques and apply them to your own work. A PhD also gives you so many more skills outside of the laboratory such as presenting, writing and getting to work with so many different people.
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?
My undergraduate degree was in Infection and Immunity BSc (First-class Hons) which allowed me to undertake a 6 month research project in my final year. This gave me my first experience of lab based research. After my undergraduate degree I then undertook a MSc by Research at the University of St Andrews which allowed me to fully immerse myself in the world of scientific research and understand more about what a PhD would look like as well as learning more laboratory techniques and skills.
Supervisors
- Professor Munir Iqbal (The Pirbright Institute)
- Professor Christine Rollier (University of Surrey)
Understanding transmission pathways of European Bat Lyssavirus 1 (rabies) to inform control strategies
Alice de Sampaio Kalkuhl
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
About Alice
Supervisors
- Fiona Matthews
- Professor Dan Horton (APHA, The University of Surrey)
Potential role of game-birds in the epidemiology of avian Influenza
Bruna Barbosa
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
About Bruna
Supervisors
- Professor Pierre Nouvelle (University of Surrey)
- Ashley Banyard (APHA)
The molecular anatomy of an opportunistic pathogen, Mycobacterium avium complex
Amelia Murray
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Amelia
Supervisors
- Professor Simon Waddell (University of Sussex)
- Simon Clark (UKHSA)
Plasmids, adaptation, and one health: understanding transmission dynamics and selective pressures
Anya Robinson
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Anya
Supervisors
- Dr Leena Al-Hassan (University of Sussex)
- Paz Aranega Bou (UKHSA)
Understanding bacterial metabolism to develop
James Bailey
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About James
Supervisors
- Dr Dany Beste (University of Surrey)
- Joanna Bacon (UKHSA)
Applying systems thinking methodologies to improve one health approach outcomes and impact
Hannah Kenway
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
About Hannah
Supervisors
- Dr Elizabeth Mumford (University of Surrey)
- Emma Snary (APHA)
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of Vibrio species that present a risk to humans and marine ecosystems
Oliver Cubberly
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Oliver
Supervisors
- Dr Jennifer Ritchie (University of Surrey)
- Claire Jenkins (UKHSA)
Visualising effective and dysregulated immune responses to virus infection
Jack Sands
Supervising institutes: The Pirbright Institute; University of Surrey
About Jack
Supervisors
- Dr Jane Edwards (The Pirbright Institute)
- Professor Falko Steinbach (University of Surrey)
Environmentally driven immune disfunction and its consequences for response to fungal pathogens
Zara Baker
Supervising institutes: University of Exeter; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Zara
Supervisors
- Dr Eduarda Santos (University of Exeter)
- Miriam Jacobs (UKHSA)
Quantifying the impact of antimicrobial use in gamebirds on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) evolution and acquisition by zoonotic pathogens
Ellen Harrington
Supervising institutes: University of Exeter; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Ellen
Supervisors
- Dr Barbara Tschirren (University of Exeter)
- Dr Jolyon Medlock (UKHSA)
Investigating co -infections and co-morbidities in the ancient world
Ihini Aambreen
Supervising institutes: University of Exeter; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Ihini
Supervisors
- Rebecca Flemming (University of Exeter)
- Dr Javier Salguero (UKHSA)
Machine learning methods for the prediction of viral epidemic potential in global surveillance systems
Robert Radley
Supervising institutes: Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl); University of Surrey
About Robert
Supervisors
- David King (Dstl)
- Professor Carlos Maluquer (University of Surrey)
Breaking barriers in zoonotic rsearch: developing cutting-edge in vitro models to decodeavian influenza risks
Miranda Nel
Supervising institutes: Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA); University of Exeter
About Miranda
Supervisors
- Joe James (APHA)
- Professor Camille Boneaudat (University of Exeter)