Dr. Holly Tipper | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

Professional summary

Holly is a Molecular Biologist in the Molecular Ecology team at UKCEH. Her research investigates the effects of anthropogenic pollution on microbial community and environmental health, with a focus on the environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Holly's research interests include exploring AMR in natural and wastewater treatment environments, and particularly investigating the effects of urban and agricultural pollution on selection and dissemination of AMR using catchment-based approaches.

She is currently involved in the NERC-funded PACIFIC (Pathways of chemicals into freshwaters and their ecological impacts) project, investigating how human-made chemicals make their way into freshwater ecosystems and what impacts they have on freshwater microorganisms. Other recent projects she has been involved in include the delivery of the UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) Chemicals Investigation Programme (CIP) 3 investigation of AMR throughout wastewater and sludge treatment processes, and the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care-funded PIRU-led evaluation of the implementation of the UK’s AMR National Action Plan 2019-24.

Holly has a PhD in Medical Studies from the University of Exeter with UKCEH. Her thesis was entitled: Using the microbiomes of aquatic organisms to investigate the effects of pollution on environmental AMR. She has an MRes in Molecular Microbiology from the University of Bath and a BSc in Biology from the University of Gloucestershire.

Selected publications

Tipper Holly J. et al. , (2024), Do storm overflows influence AMR in the environment and is this relevant to human health? A UK perspective on a global issue. Water Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.121952

Read Daniel S. et al. , (2024), Dissemination and persistence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) along the wastewater-river continuum. Water Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.122204

Murray Aimee K. et al. , (2024), A critical meta-analysis of predicted no effect concentrations for antimicrobial resistance selection in the environment. Water Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.122310

Stanton Isobel C. et al. , (2022), Does environmental exposure to pharmaceutical and personal care product residues result in the selection of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, and is this important in terms of human health outcomes?. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.5498

Brauns Bentje et al. , (2024), Presence of emerging organic contaminants and microbial indicators in surface water and groundwater in urban India. Environmental Pollution, 362, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124983

Sorensen James P.R. et al. , (2021), Seasonality of enteric viruses in groundwater-derived public water sources. Water Research, 207, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117813

Other Publications

Read, D.S., Shelton, J., Singer, A.C., Stanton, I.C. & Tipper, H.J. (2023). Antimicrobial resistance surveillance strategies within wild flora and fauna of England – Chief Scientist’s Group report. Environment Agency.

Read, D.S., Tipper, H.J., Newbold, L., Kasprzyk-Hordern, B., Daso, A.P., Singer, A.C. & Johnson, A.C. (2022). The National Chemical Investigations Programme 2020-2022 Volume 1 - Investigations into changes to Antimicrobial Resistance through wastewater and sludge treatment processes.

Hargreaves, A., Jones, V., Shipton, M., Singer, A.C., Stanton, I. & Tipper, H.J., 2022. AMR Surveillance Pilot Site Selection and Database Extension – Chief Scientist’s Group report. Environment Agency.

Stanton, I.C., Tipper, H.J. & Singer, A.C. (2022). Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring & Modelling Programme (ERAMMP). ERAMMP Report-65: The development of a hazard map to inform an environmental AMR monitoring programme in Welsh rivers. Report to Welsh Government (Contract C210/2016/2017).