I studied Biochemistry as an undergraduate in Oxford, followed by a DPhil in Biochemistry studying chemotaxis in the soil bacterial Rhodobacter sphearoides. During that time I developed a strong interest in bacterial systems biology. My first postdoc was in the area of control engineering applying this to biological systems, followed by a further postdoc examining the role of cell division on bacterial signalling. From there I moved to Barts and the London Medical School at Queen Mary University of London. There my research turned to transcription and transport in the dental pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. At QMUL I also developed using e-learning approaches to teaching and developed a strong interested in teaching public engagement with science. I returned to Oxford in 2020 in a teaching focused role, developing the Biochemistry undergraduate course.

I teach Brasenose biochemists on Cellular and Molecular Biochemistry in the first year of the course, and on Bacterial Systems, Molecular Biology Techniques and Data Analysis, on years 2/3. Many of these tutorials are linked with the lectures and practicals I am involved in at the Department. In year 4 of Biochemistry I support our students in writing their MSc (Part II) dissertations and in preparing to defend their work.

My research focuses on how we teach science and being a scientist effectively to undergraduates, in particular how we support practical laboratory sessions, how we teach data analysis, and the integration of e-learning approaches to do so. I also remain interested in bacterial systems including Porphyromonas gingivalis and synthetic biology approaches using bacterial cells.