Microbial evolution and drug resistance
Research theme aim: To investigate how pathogens evolve to become resistant to antimicrobials or jump species barriers.
Exemplar project: A pangenomic approach to predicting viral epidemic potential using AI.
Research projects and students
Unveiling the Genomic Landscape of Capripoxvirus Attenuation and Host Interaction through Experimental Evolution and Multi-Omics
Amelia Nichols
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; The Pirbright Institute
About Amelia
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
Digging into questions and finding five more can be really intriguing when you initially thought something would be simple to find the answer to. It's great to be let loose into a lab to try and discover something that’s never been looked at before. Going from knowing barely anything about Capripoxviruses to hopefully one day knowing a whole lot is awesome!
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?
As part of my degree I did at placement year at Pirbright, and it was the most fun year of my degree! Working in a research institute solidified that I really enjoyed the work and would like to be able to go into it further through doing a PhD. I had never planned to be a virologist, having done nothing even close to it as part of my undergrad modules, so it was amazing to do the placement and realise it combined all of my favourite aspects of research into one. And so far the PhD has been even more fun than I'd hoped!
Supervisors
- Dr Caroline Wright (The Pirbright Institute)
- Dr Jonas Albarnaz (The Pirbright Institute)
- Dr Arnoud van Vliet (University of Surrey)
- Dr David Allen (University of Surrey)
Characterizing Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo phenotypes and the influence of metal ion abundance of local host environments during infection
Michael Brennan
Supervising institute: University of Sussex; University of Surrey
About Michael
What do you enjoy most about your PhD?
I enjoy researching an area which has the potential to help cure a disease which is the leading cause of death by a single pathogen. Being able to understand how my work can impact the lives of TB patients makes me feel that what I do matters.
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?
During my undergraduate studies, I focused on respiratory illnesses and witnessed first hand how TB and its treatments can devastate lives. While reading around the subject, I was struck by how little remains understood about the disease. This realisation fuelled my passion to delve deeper into TB research, driven by a desire to uncover improved solutions and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.
Supervisors
- Professor Simon Waddell (University of Sussex)
- Dr Mark Paget (University of Sussex)
- Professor Melaine Bailey (University of Surrey)
Forecasting the next foot-and-mouth disease virus pandemic: informing fitness from in vitro studies and genomic data
Natasha Edwards
Supervising institutes: University of Surrey; The Pirbright Institute
About Natasha
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. 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 Emma Taylor (University of Surrey)
- Professor Dan Horton (APHA, The University of Surrey)
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)
Whole genome sequencing of a unique historic collection of Bacillus anthracis isolates and reconstruction of a phylogeny to support One Health analysis of global anthrax transmission patterns
Eleanor Armitage
Supervising institutes: University of Sussex; UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
About Eleanor
Supervisors
- Adam Eyre-Walker (University of Sussex)
- Steven Pullan (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)
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)
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)