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, the latter of which informed the current UK AMR National Action Plan (2024-29).

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.

 

 

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