Teaching

I organise two modules in the Biological Sciences degree course; BIO-5009A Genetics and BIO-5023Y Data Science for Biologists.

I also teach BIO-4008Y Skills for Biologists, BIO-4018A Molecular Biology and Genetics, BIO-5013A Field Ecology, BIO 5015B Microbiology, BIO-6013A Genomics and BIO-6019Y Research Projects. 

I have a passion for applied data skills, maths and statistics in the life sciences, please see my personal webpage for information on my projects and collaborations, or feel free to contact me directly.

Research Interests

I am a molecular biologist interested in developing and testing new genetic technologies to control pest insects including several species of  mosquitoes and fruit flies. 

The requirement to develop new techniques for insect control that minimize negative environmental impacts has never been more pressing. Genetic pest management (GPM) involves releasing modified versions of a pest species to mate with wild pests in the target area. It has potential for a  wide range of applications in public health, agriculture and conservation. 

I have worked on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in a range of insect pest species, developing and testing new forms of gene drives, a type of genetic engineering technique that modifies genes so that they don't follow the typical rules of heredity. 

I also research the effects of gut microbes on health and reproduction in fruit flies (Drosophila and medfly), exploring these effects in terms of the evolutionary associations between hosts and their symbionts.

Administrative Duties

Student Partnership Officer 

Chair of the Extenuating Circumstances Panel

Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body Statistician

Exam Board Committee member

Teaching Committee member

Module organiser: BIO-5023Y, BIO-5009A

External Pages

For my full list of publications, please see my scholar page.

For more on my research & teaching, please see my personal page.

Career

• Associate Professor (2022 - present) 
• Lecturer in Biological Sciences (2019 - 2022)
•  Project coordinator at the Pirbright Institute (2016 - 2019) 
•  Researcher Co-I, UEA (2012 - 2015)
•  PhD, UEA
•  BSc, Durham University