I am a Senior Lecturer in Animal science, with a specialism in zoonotic diseases in animals. My passion for this topic, had led me to present at conferences throughout the world, including delivering key-notes speeches. In 2021, I co-organised CampyUK goes global, a virtual conference for those researchers with an interest in the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter spp. 

I obtained a BSc in Food, Nutrition and Consumer Protection from BathSpa University College (2001), a MSc in Meat Science and Technology (2003) and a PhD in Microbiology (2009) from the University of Bristol. Prior to my PhD, I worked for the Health Protection Agency in a busy laboratory. Post PhD, I undertook Postdoctoral positions at the University of Bristol (2009-2015) and Swansea University (2015-2020) before taking a lectureship at Hartpury University in 2020, being promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2023.

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I teach across all levels of undergraduate provision.  The modules I lead include Pathology, Microbiology, Animal Disease and Epidemiology. I am also the programme manager for the BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science and BSc (Hons) Veterinary Bioscience  programmes and an academic personal tutor for level 6. 

I have supervised many Undergraduate and Master's students projects to completion. I have also supervised PhD students to completion. I currently supervise 2 PhD students.

My research focuses on the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter species. I am interested in host-pathogen interactions including the immune response, interventions particularly dietary additives as a method of control, extra-intestinal spread and whether or not Campylobacter is a commensal or pathogen of broiler chickens. I also have an interest in gut health of chickens and many other animals and microbial animal diseases. 

Associate Editor for Avian Pathology 

Member of the Microbiology Society

Current PGRs:

Mr Carl Gibbon - "Assessment of dietary additives as a control measure for Campylobacter spp. in UK broiler chickens." (Current - funded by Hartpury University; in collaboration with Dr Wanda McCormick and Dr Alexandros Stratakos).

Ms Sito-Obong Udofia "Quantifying the effects of vegetation cover in farmland" (Current - funded by TETFUND, in colloboration with Prof Matt Bell and Dr Alison Wills).

Aisling Carroll " Dairy calf and cow faecal microbiome dynamics associated with husbandry, health and performance" (Current - funded by Hartpury University, in collboration with Prof Matt Bell, Dr Emma Bleach and Dr Dann Turner).

PGRs supervised to completion:

Dr Amy Hillier "Controlling the Public and Animal Health Threat from Campylobacter Infection in Broiler Chickens by Improving Gut Health and Reducing Inflammation" (2023- Industry funded). 

Dr Dan Phillips "Understanding the Seasonality of Campylobacter Infection among Commercial Broiler Chickens in the United Kingdom" (2023- Industry funded).