The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Tina's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Tina
I am an Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology in Peninsula Dental School. I teach and research in the field of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
I have an interdisciplinary research background in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and development of sustainable Molecular Diagnostics (using novel technologies) to help tackle the Global Healthcare Challenge of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). Specifically, I work on C. difficile spores and biofilm disinfection (e.g. E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. auris, UTIs) in the built environment. My group specialise in using interdisciplinary techniques including biophysics, engineering, molecular biology, genomics and imaging to understand the structure, mechanisms of resistance and functions of these infectious microorganisms. My research group is based within the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. We work with international collaborators and industry to further our knowledge.
I am Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Microbiology, and sit on UKRI Grant Assessment Panels and International grant assessment panels.
I hold a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a PGCAP qualification for my teaching. I have been recognised nationally for my innovative Clinical Microbiology teaching at the THE2020 Times Higher Education Awards (2020) after being a shortlisted finalist for"Most Innovative Teacher of the Year". I have also won four University of Plymouth SSTAR teaching awards, voted for by our students. I have an ethos of research-led education, where my research outputs directly support teaching in AntiMicrobial Resistance, Infection Prevention, Disinfection and Clinical Microbiology.
I am an internationally recognised expert in Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and my knowledge exchange, enterprise and policy activities have contributed to help policy makers, diplomats, governments, NGOs and the wider public enhance their understanding of AntiMicrobial resistance. I am very passionate about public engagement and I regularly provide expert commentary in the areas of Infectious Diseases, microbial transmission and AMR in local, national and international media.
I am Co-Chair of the Knocking Out AMR project (and key contributor to its inception & design) for the Microbiology Society, and directly contributed to the UK AMR NAP, and attended the 79th United Nations General Assembly High Level meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance in New York in 2024. Here I am able to support microbiologists, champion microbiology across the globe and influence policy at national and international levels.
Supervised Research Degrees
Tina has successfully and independently supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students to completion, including at PhD level.
Teaching
I teach in the field of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology; with specific expertise in molecular diagnosis of microbial infections, infection control and bacterial genomics.
I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have a Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice with Distinction (PGCD). I encourage an open and relaxed learning environment where students feel able and comfortable to ask questions and enjoy learning.
- 2022 Highly Commended for "Creative Teacher of the Year" & "Inspirational Teacher of the Year" UPSU SSTAR Awards
- 2020 Winner of "Inspirational Teaching Award" & "Most Effective Feedback" UPSU SSTAR Awards for the Faculty of Health.
- 2020 National Shortlisted Finalist for "Most Innovative Teacher of the Year" at The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2020.
I am the Programme Lead for Dental Foundation Bachelor of Dental Surgery & Dental Therapy and Hygiene Year 0. I have redesigned the curriculum to align with the larger BDS and DTH programmes. I am Module Lead BDT003 Learning Skills for Dentistry and undertake teaching in Clinical Microbiology and AntiMicrobial Resistance across the BDS and DTH programmes.
In my previous roles in the School of Biomedical Sciences, I successfully redesigned and modernised the microbiology curricula to align with Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) accreditation criteria. I held responsbility for Infection Science modules including BHCS001, BHCS2006 & BHCS2012 (Infection, Immunity and Disease), BHCS3003 & BHCS3015 (Clinical Microbiology), BHCS5008 and was School Employability lead for SoBS where I raised the School's national Graduate Employment Outcomes by integrating employment sessions into the curriculum.
