I studied HND Applied Biology and BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University (then Manchester Polytechnic). After graduation I moved to Warwick University to a carry out PhD research. I completed this work in Cardiff so my PhD was awarded by the University of Wales. My thesis was entitled “Microbial Degradation of Chlorinated Aromatic Compounds”. I undertook postdoctoral research for six years and during this time carried out part time lecturing posts. I joined Staffordshire University in 1991. In addition to my role of Senior Lecturer in Microbiology I have been involved in developing our Biomedical Science degree which is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

My research background is microbial ecology with a focus on microbial degradation. In addition to my PhD I carried out postdoctoral research in The isolation and characterisation of lipases from thermophilic bacteria (in collaboration with Unilever) The microbial transformation and degradation of the artificial sweetener sucralose (funded by Tate and Lyle and McNeil Specialty Products) I have also studied the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance specifically the stability of antibiotic resistance plasmids in Salmonella. I am currently a member of the supervisory team for a PhD student who is assessing the efficacy of novel compounds to control the growth of bacterial pathogens.