Supervisor(s): 

Dr C M Anjam Khan

I have an undergraduate degree in Applied Biomedical Sciences and a Masters by Research in Molecular Microbiology. I was very fortunate in that my research portion of my master’s degree was in the same lab as my PhD. My research interests include pathogenic microbiology and epidemiology. With my master’s research focusing on both Salmonella and Ebola, I developed a keen interest in zoonotic pathogens as well as a taste of the huge impacts research can have on a population. This has been further developed since starting my PhD where I was introduced to invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella.

Project title: Understanding the dynamic interactions between Salmonella  and the intestinal microbiota

Salmonella is a major global pathogen eliciting a broad spectrum of disease, ranging from gastroenteritis to typhoid fever. Although non-typhoidal Salmonella is usually associated with gastrointestinal disease, recent years have seen the emergence of new strains of invasive non-typhiodal Salmonella. Interactions between the pathogen and host are well studied, however, the understanding of competitive interactions of pathogens with the vast and diverse intestinal microbiota is still lacking. Colonisation resistance is a pivotal defence against invading enteropathogens such as Salmonella. The mechanisms by which Salmonella are able to overcome colonisation resistance are now beginning to be understood. This study aims to provide insights into how Salmonella directly interacts with the intestinal microbiota to overcome colonisation resistance.