I graduated with a BSc in Biological Science from the University of East Anglia in 2019, where my fascination for microbiology took began. This interest led me to pursue a PhD at the Quadram Institute Bioscience in the Kingsley Lab, where I explored novel bacteriophage-host interactions. My research focused on identifying and combining phages to combat Salmonella contamination in the food chain.

In 2024, I joined the Hall Lab as a Research Fellow to investigate a newly discovered iron transport mechanism in Bifidobacterium, a key early-life gut microbiota member. Iron is a crucial yet scarce nutrient in the gut, and my research focuses on how Bifidobacterium utilizes a unique system to acquire this essential element, even under iron-limited conditions. This mechanism likely gives Bifidobacterium a competitive edge in the infant gut, allowing it to colonize and persist in ways that influence that promote both short- and long-term infant health. Understanding this process is critical not only for uncovering how Bifidobacterium supports healthy infant development but also for developing potential microbiota-based therapies for iron deficiency and related health issues. Through molecular characterization and ecosystem modelling, my work aims to shed light on the role of iron in microbial community interactions and early-life health, with translational applications for improving infant health.