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Last updated 27th March 2023

 I successfully completed my PhD in 2016 undertaking the research project 'Biodegradation of alkaline cellulose degradation products' as part of the EPSRC/RWM Ltd funded C14-BIG project. I continued the theme of alkaline microbiology linked to a geological disposal concept for nuclear waste during my post-doctoral position, investigating survival strategies such as aggregation and biofilm formation on nuclear relevant materials. As a source of alkaliphilic micro-organisms, industrially contaminated soils and microbial communities present, resulting in 14 publications. 

In 2018 I was appointed Lecturer within the School of Applied Sciences, providing teaching in Biological and Geographical Sciences adopting a research focus on microorganisms from extreme environments. I currently provide PhD supervision over topics including:

• Biogeochemical cycling within sediments impacted by steel slag leachates.
• Methanogenesis associated with tufa deposits resulting from alkaline leachates.
• Isolation and characterisation of microorganisms present within cave biofilms. 

I also have experience providing consultancy and collaboration with industrial partners, in particular with respect to disinfection and health. In 2017, I worked on a BBSRC/Innovate UK funded project investigating the use of efflux pump inhibitors to improve biocide efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in collaboration with Gama Healthcare. In the same year, I also worked on an Innovate UK funded collaboration with ADM Protexin Ltd investigating the anti-Candida properties of probiotic micro-organisms. More recently in 2020 I was awarded funding from  the National Biofilm Innovation Centre to collaborate with Genesis Biosciences in developing a test method for probiotic based cleansers.