New insights into viruses with a global impact 

My research focuses on arenaviruses, which cross over from rodents to humans and cause severe and fatal viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). No vaccine exists and there is no effective treatment. Outbreaks of arenaviruses such as Ebola in West Africa and Zika and Chikungunya in the Americas have a global impact, and environmental changes and increased human-animal interactions make new epidemics more likely. 

I uncover how these viruses adapt to human hosts and escape our immune defences, using novel multi-disciplinary approaches to identify human protein targets to which arenavirus proteins bind, ultimately unravelling the pathways and mechanisms that are essential for viral spread and infection. This research will provide fundamental insights into viral processes that can potentially lead to improved treatments, identification of targets for antiviral therapy and design new vaccines. 

Why Nottingham?

Nottingham is attractive as the research environment is dynamic and diverse. I am part of the One Virology group, bringing together virologists across faculties – we share ideas and reagents for chemical reactions and I have great support and mentorship for my career progression.

Our diverse range of research encourages a collaborative environment and I have been able to bridge contacts externally and abroad. To be immersed in this environment and to have access to world-class facilities are great drivers for my success.  

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