Our People
About Me
I received my PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of California at Davis in 1996. With over two decades' experience in herpesvirus biology and the use of state-of-the-art bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) technology, I'm a leading expert in the construction and characterization of recombinant herpesvirused-based vaccines. I moved to the University of Plymouth in Spring of 2012, where I am an Associate Professor in Virology & Immunology. I find the innovative aspects of science particularly exciting, and development of imaginative strategies for the use of these vectors underpins my research. In 2018, I span out The Vaccine Group (TVG) from the university to commercialise agriculture vaccines based on the herpesvirus-based vector technology. My academic research at the university remains focused on the development of transmissible vaccines for use in wildlife. I am also interested in the development of vaccines and therapeutics for emerging human pathogens specifically for use in humans. Most recently, this led to my being a member of a team developing antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana during the COVID-19 pandemic. I really enjoy the collaborative nature of science, highlighting my belief that we benefit most from inclusive science by researchers at times separated by geography, but united by interest, desire and diversity of expertise. With my Sister also being a virologist, you could say virology is in my genes.
Current Students
& Postdoctoral Fellows
Zsofia Tauber. PhD student in Biomedical Sciences,
UoP, UK (Co-Supervisor)
Sarah Bastyans. PhD student in Biomedical Sciences,
UoP, UK (Co-Supervisor)
Haris Malik. PhD student in Virology,
University of Glasgow, UK (Co-Supervisor)
Academic Alumni
Dr Aisling Murphy, Ph.D (Medical Student,
UoP Medical School, UK)
Dr Shirin Hama Salih, Ph.D (Dept. Clinical Biochemistry,
Hawler Medical Univ. Kurdistan, Iraq)
Dr Hujaz Alqiribi, Ph.D (Lecturer, Dept. Microbiology,
Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Univ. Baghdad, Iraq
Thekla Mauch, ResM (PhD Student, UoP, UK)
Dr Oliver Rupar, MD, PhD (Co-Supervisor) (Honorary Clinical Fellow,
Univ. Dundee, UK)
Frederick Hansen, B.Sc. (Co-Supervisor, NIH Post- Baccalaureate)
Medical Student, Univ. New Mexico School of Medicine, New Mexico, USA)
