As a lab tech my role is to characterise the gut microbiomes of great tits (Parus major) through microbial culturing, DNA extraction and whole-genome sequencing. My aim is to isolate and preserve microbial strains and perform in vitro assays to assess their potential for future probiotic development. My background in microbiology involved research where I explored how environmental stressors can shape fungal virulence and host-pathogen interactions, with a focus the fungal species Candida albicans.
ACME RESEARCH
Animal Cognition and Microbial Ecology Research