I graduated with my PhD in Medical Microbiology from the University of Liverpool in 2020, having investigated the role of transcriptional and post-translational regulation of lipid A in Pseudomonas aeruginosa tolerance to contact lens disinfecting solutions. I came away from my PhD with a strong interest in bioinformatic analyses and a desire to learn how to code and improve my statistical analysis skillset.

To this end, I accepted a postdoctoral research associate position at the University of Pittsburgh, co-mentored by Dr Jennifer Bomberger and Dr Vaughn Cooper. In this role I undertook processing and analysis of longitudinal clinical samples from the sinuses and sputum of people with cystic fibrosis to investigate changes to the airway microbiome following initiation of modulator therapies.

In 2022, the Bomberger Lab relocated to Dartmouth College, where I continued to work with clinical cystic fibrosis samples to understand the role of acute viral infections and inflammation on the progression of P. aeruginosa from intermittent to chronic airway infection.

As a dyed-in-the-wool bacteriologist, I am excited for the chance to explore an entirely new kingdom of life by joining the Bottery Lab and MFIG. I will be exploring the role of mutation rate, and its impact on adaptation and evolution of Aspergillus fumigatus, on the development of resistance to antifungal treatments, particularly in the context of increasing agricultural use of antifungals in our changing climate.

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