New Return on Science project makes appointments
Congratulations to Dr Frederique Vanholsbeeck who recently won Return on Science investment for a new project to speed up prototype device development in the FoodSafe programme.
The new project, entitled Optrode, has enabled the recruitment of Dr Julia Robertson (top) to perform microbiology tests and obtain robust data sets for use in calibration and to increase accuracy, and Joni White (bottom) to help design and test a microfluidics system for sample preparation.
Julia has just completed her PhD using antimicrobial surfaces to help prevent the spread of bacteria. This form of infection control is particularly relevant to hospitals, where bacteria are spread by contamination of surfaces and the resulting infections require antibiotic use, contributing to emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Her thesis focused on the mechanism of action of two antimicrobial polymers and characterising antimicrobial surfaces containing these polymers.
Joni, has just completed her second year of a BSc with emphasis on biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology. She has also worked as an administrator for International Earth Sciences IESE Ltd.
Welcome aboard!
