Background
I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Microbiology in 2020 and am furthering my studies with an MSc in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at the University of Sheffield, in collaboration with the Florey institute. This year I am excited to be working with Dr Simon Johnston and his team of world experts to study a new mechanism of AMR in Cryptococcal neoformans. I will be investigating the role of macrophages in fluconazole heteroresistance in cryptococcosis, which causes 15% of AIDS related deaths. I carried out my undergraduate lab project on the biochemistry of beer brewing under Dr Alvey, investigating whether co-fermentation with different yeast strains was a plausible route to increase ethanolic tolerance of Saccharomyces pastorianus, the lager yeast. Whilst this was an extremely fascinating and valuable insight into industrial biotechnology, I would like to pursue my interests in epidemiology and AMR, which played a role in my choice of lab project this year. Working in collaboration with the Florey will enable me to gain experience of interdisciplinary research to ‘bridge the gap between science and patient care’, which will be invaluable in pursuit of public health roles. |
The Team
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