Emily completed her undergraduate degree, Biological Sciences with a Professional Placement Year, at the University of Exeter while enjoying a diverse range of modules, including the molecular basis of infectious disease, medical genetics, and marine biology. She undertook a placement in GlaxoSmithKline’s Immunology Research Unit, where she developed an in vitro model of the gastrointestinal tract in both a healthy and inflamed state. Returning to Exeter, she worked with Dr. Steven Porter to investigate the role of a novel multikinase network in Burkholderia pseudomallei, fuelled by a fascination for virulence factors.
After graduating with First Class Honours in 2023, Emily started her PhD at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology. She aims to determine the role of the airway microbiome in mediating the interaction between inhaled fungal spores and airway immune cells, in the context of severe asthma with fungal sensitisation. Core techniques for the project include microbial DNA extraction, genomic sequencing, bioinformatic analysis, human cell culture and lung-on-a-chip in vitro modelling.
Outside of the lab, Emily loves all things outdoors - scuba diving and snorkelling (where she can!), surfing and hiking.