My research is focused on biofilm formation factors, Gram negative bacterial secretion systems and virulence of pathogens. A biofilm is a community of bacteria growing within a self-produced matrix. Biofilms are a challenge for medicine because they are less susceptible to antibiotics, detergents and the host immune system. Secretion systems enable bacteria to export proteins into the environment or directly into host cells or rival bacteria. These systems play a role in enabling the bacteria to subvert the host, obtain nutrients and compete with other bacteria in a particular environment.
I gained my Bachelor of Science with first class Honours from The University of Queensland in 2006. In 2007 I was awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) and commenced my PhD at The University of Queensland in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences. There I focused on the characterization of new adhesins in uropathogenic Escherichia coli for their role in biofilm formation, adhesion and virulence. In 2013 I joined the research group of Professor Alain Filloux at the MRC Centre for Bacteriology and Infection at Imperial College. In 2014 I was awarded and commenced a Marie Currie Fellowship investigating biofilm formation and the type six secretion system. I am now a Lecturer in Bacteriology at the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI) at Imperial College London and have a long standing interest in chronic respiratory pathogens.