Your research is focused on understanding factors that contribute to antibiotic resistance. Can you tell us why this topic is important for public health?

Antibiotic resistance ultimately leads to limited choices of effective antibiotics in treating patients which in turn increases morbidity and mortality from antibiotic resistant infections. If we can better understand the factors driving the spread and success of antibiotic resistant pathogens, then we can be better equipped to employ effective therapy plans to treat them, and intervention strategies to slow spread. We all have a part to play in fighting antibiotic resistance, which is why much of my research is geared towards understanding the most effective ways of communicating the issues of, and management strategies against, AMR.

What has been the most exciting finding you have discovered in your research and how did you uncover it?

It wasn’t my personal discovery, but perhaps some of the most exciting work I have been involved in is the early investigations into the mobile colistin resistance gene, mcr-1. My PI during my time as a Research Associate was involved, along with Chinese collaborators, in the initial discovery of this gene, which quickly became the number one story in the field due to it’s clinical implications. I contributed to a number of the primary manuscripts, assisting the data analysis of the very earliest epidemiological data collected. It was thrilling to work on something so contemporary and impactful at such a relatively early stage of my career.

What made you decide to pursue a career in microbiology research?

When I realised you couldn’t make a living out of being a Welsh Indiana Jones, I went to study Biology at Cardiff University, with the aim of specialising in Zoology and evolutionary Biology. But then I studied a module on Microbiology, and I was introduced to this fascinating microbial world of endless variety, and a world that encapsulates the perfect model of studying evolution. Rather than observing past evidence of evolution stretching back over many millennia, I could observe evolution in a petri dish overnight, in real time. From that point on, I was hooked and I haven’t looked back since!

You’re a first generation academic in your family. What made you to want to go to University and why did you choose research?

I would say two things really. Firstly, it was to carry on learning about what fascinated me - evolution and the natural world. University just seemed like the logical next step really. The step into research was just from a desire to try and contribute something positive and impactful to the field of AMR. Secondly, I was a very shy and quiet kid and I saw University as a chance to break the shackles of my upbringing- gain independence, mature, and become my own person for the first time, which was a really exciting prospect- and really one of the most important things that students get out of the University experience I think.

Have you had any difficulty with developing a career in research and teaching? What do you think needs to change in the Universities to avoid these obstacles for new first-generation students?

Personally the biggest barrier to becoming and hopefully succeeding as an academic have been ongoing struggles with mental health. At its worst, I was very close to losing my PhD due to absence, which obviously isn’t a great career move! Long term, it often makes life incredibly difficult, becoming a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy and vicious cycle of unproductivity at times.

I wouldn’t say things need to change necessarily, they are changing, but certainly the good work in addressing mental health in the academic sector needs to continue. Universities need to continue identifying areas that compound mental health issues, and make mental health part of the every day agenda. This would go far in removing any stigma or barriers towards talking about these issues. I have to say that CMM, among other schools and institutes, are already on the curve to making this a reality.

One other thing that I feel could require addressing is the balance of power the ECR-PI relationship. ECRs (Early Career Researchers) are almost entirely dependent on their PIs (Principal Investigators), whether it be in regards to acknowledgments of work and publications, reputation, references for future career opportunities etc. I see little in the way of safeguarding ECRs against potential abuse of that power, particularly if the relationship does not remain wholly positive. And this is not meant to scaremonger ECRs here, this is certainly not something intrinsic or overly common, but I think it is certainly a gap in the academic system that needs to be improved.

It’s common to see people in science struggling with mental health issues, how do you deal with workplace stress and what advice would you give to early career researchers who may be struggling?

I wouldn’t necessarily say I ‘deal’ with it particularly well. It is still a regular battle that impacts life on a professional and personal level. But just through experience I am now able to minimise its impact when it does raise its head, and put myself into positions that challenge how it presents. Talking to people about mental health has helped, so that would be my primary advice - find someone you are close to, or connect with, and just talk. That really is the first and most important step. Admittedly that is coming from someone who is very bad at doing just that! Other than that, I would say have some sort of escape, a hobby or regular social event, so that you are not all-engrossed in your work.

How do you balance being a parent with being an academic?

My wife and I share parenting responsibilities equally, as it should be of course, but I would say often I get the balance pretty badly wrong I think, I’m sorry to say. When mental health regularly impacts on your professional performance, I think the natural reaction is to overcompensate by throwing more working hours at the issue. This inevitably impacts on quality family time. I’m just very lucky that I have an unimaginably supportive wife who understands and accommodates what can often be some challenging working hours.

How do you spend quality time with family?

Lazy days and adventures! A typical family day would be a very lazy morning watching our children’s favourite films (which typically we have seen 100 times before and know word for word) and then going exploring in the afternoon in the local forests, rivers and parks.

What is the most exciting about antibiotic resistance that you enjoy?

It goes back to what I said earlier really. Evolution was always my first passion. And studying antibiotic resistance allows me to observe evolution in real time and use that as part of my research to hopefully continue to contribute to a field of work that aims to ultimately improve the human condition!

From a teaching perspective, what do you think staff can do to build a diverse and inclusive teaching/studying community?

I think one of the most fundamental things is already being done, and evident here in CMM and more widely in University of Bristol; creating a positive environment where staff and students are comfortable in having potentially difficult conversations about the challenges faced by people of different diversities and protected characteristics. I also witness first hand the great work that the CMM EDI committee do to address these and help build a more inclusive community. As long as these conversations continue to happen as part of the natural discourse, and there is a forum to facilitate change, things will continue to move in a positive direction.

Quick Q&A:

Favourite drink?

Kopparberg, not too much ice. Or a can of Pepsi Max!

Favourite place to holiday?

Anywhere hot with a beach.

New lockdown hobby?

Not a new hobby, but a previously neglected and now rejuvenated one - got back into reading in a big way - read more books in the last 18 months than I had in the previous 5-10 years I would say.

Soundtrack to career/life?

The entire Bruce Springsteen back catalogue.

Favourite part of the job?

The fact that there is so much variety within the career that every day is different, with a different set of challenges, successes and failures….it certainly keeps things interesting!