Understanding how cells respond to infection 

I study the earliest stages of infection and trying to understand how cells sense and rapidly respond to infections – in particular in bovine mastitis.This inflammation of the cow’s udder tissue is responsible for 80% of the UK dairy industry’s use of antibiotics, 1.23 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions per year, and a million tonnes of milk loss per year.  

My primary expertise is in sequencing the messenger molecule mRNA, which is responsible for carrying instructions to cells in response to stimuli. 

I’m now focusing on the incredibly exciting field of the epitranscriptome, which offers new, fundamental insights into the workings of our cells and a paradigm-shifting view of RNA as more than “just” a messenger molecule to understand how cells can respond to infections and other stimuli. The application of this knowledge to bovine mastitis enables a powerful model of early infection progression, as well as new understanding of this ethically, environmentally and economically challenging disease. 

Why Nottingham?

There is something special about the University of Nottingham that I first encountered as an undergraduate here. The focus on research in the student experience with not just research-active but research-invigorated academics left a real impression on me and ensures our students have a real understanding and forward-thinking approach to sciences – whatever career they ultimately choose – and I want to be a part of this.

The support for early career researchers is excellent and the facilities and infrastructure that enable me to conduct my research, combined with on-hand the expertise and the resources to maximise the impact of my research, cemented my decision to apply for the Nottingham Research Fellowship, and I haven’t looked back. 

Feeling inspired?