• Lecturer in Microbiology, UEA (2022-present)
• Senior Research Fellow, Griffith University, Australia (2019-2022)
• Research Fellow, Griffith University, Australia (2014-2018)
• Post-doctoral Research Associate, UEA (2011-2014)
• PhD in Molecular Microbiology, UEA (2007-2011)
• BSc Hons, Biological Sciences, UEA (2004-2007)

Matt is a Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences with interests in Medical and Environmental Microbiology. Matt's research studies how pathogenic bacteria sense and respond to changes in their environment (ie. the human body) and how they exploit diverse niches to grow and proliferate. Matt also has expertise in studying metabolic pathways for nitrogen and sulphur cycling in environmentally-relevant bacteria, and how these microbial processes contribute to regulation of our climate.

Applicants for a fully-funded PhD scholarship are currently being sought, available for commencement in October 2023. The project will focus on identifying new ways that microbes control environmental cycling of carbon and sulphur, using cutting-edge molecular genetic techniques to identify new metabolic pathways in bacteria. Interested candidates should apply directly by emailing matthew.sullivan@uea.ac.uk with the subject '2023-PhD candidate'

Research Interests:

• Understanding novel mechanisms of virulence and pathogenesis in Group B Streptococcus

• Defining new ways that bacteria can make or break the important osmolyte dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP)

• Investigating molecular mechanisms of bacterial prodution of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent global-warming gas