I am an MRC-funded PhD student in the lab of Felix Randow at the MRC Lab of Molecular Biology. Our research is focussed on understanding the host innate immune response to bacterial pathogens that invade the cytosol of epithelial cells. My work in particular looks at the diarrhoeal pathogen Shigella flexneri, and understanding the mechanisms by which it overcomes host defenses to invade into epithelial cells. I use molecular, genetic and cell biology tools, along with confocal microscopy and flow cytometric techniques to study the host factors used by Shigella flexneri for this purpose. I also work part-time with the NHS as a qualified clinician.
