I join MFIG following on from my Integrated Master’s fourth year project, which opened the door to a series of compelling questions surrounding the evolution of antifungal resistance in hyphae. My project identified aspects of resistance evolution which were largely unexplained, driving me to look further, culminating in a PhD project, awarded through the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

My project will explore the evolution of antifungal resistance in hyphal fungal networks. My first area of interest involves interrogating heterokaryon fusion in hyphae, a process that may hold critical insights into the broader mechanisms of resistance spread and evolution in fungal masses. My research will also include multiscale modelling, integrating various scales of biological processes to better simulate in-host evolution and the selective pressure that arise. My aim is to integrate these AMR evolution-specific parameters into the Neighbour Sensing Model of filamentous fungal growth which was originally designed by David Moore and colleagues at Manchester two decades ago. 

As I start this new chapter of my academic journey, I’m eager to explore the myriad of ideas that have already begun to take shape. Overall, my work aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of medical mycology, with the potential to further the understanding of the evolution of antifungal resistance, while learning valuable skills along the way.

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