I am a Senior Research Associate within the Enzyme Surface Array Group at the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) at the University of Portsmouth. As part of the P3EB Mission Hub project, I specialize in enzyme technologies for plastic deconstruction, focusing on optimizing enzyme surface array systems for high-throughput screening to accelerate the discovery of plastic-degrading enzymes and advance sustainable biotechnological solutions.

My expertise lies in structural biology, particularly in designing and implementing synthetic molecular switches with applications spanning bioprocessing and biosensing. I bring extensive experience in integrating structural nucleic acid technologies with bioinformatics and enzymology, allowing me to develop innovative approaches to complex biotechnological challenges.

I actively contribute to the research culture of CEI and the School of the Environment and Life Sciences by collaborating with commercial partners to translate research into real-world applications. In addition to my research, I support the supervision and mentoring of junior researchers and students, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the scientific community.

I have been part of the University of Portsmouth’s research community since my undergraduate studies in Biochemistry (BSc Hons, 2015), followed by a funded MRes in Molecular Genetics in 2016. My interest in nucleic acid biology and biotechnology led me to pursue a BBSRC-funded Ph.D. under the supervision of Professor Anastasia Callaghan, where I explored the targeting of bacterial small RNAs for therapeutic applications. I completed my Ph.D. in 2021 and have since been engaged in interdisciplinary research including genomics, structural biology, enzymology, and biotechnology.

In addition to my research expertise, I have experience in computer programming (Python) and databases, data-driven decision-making, and analytical problem-solving. This diverse background strengthen my approach to innovation and collaboration, allowing me to work effectively with researchers across multiple disciplines.

Another key area of my research interest is the application of artificial intelligence in science. I am a strong advocate for AI and proficient in leveraging it effectively to enhance research and innovation, with a focus on improving synthetic biology, mapping gene expression and advancing gene therapy development.

Beyond my core research, I care deeply about the ethical and policy challenges of scientific innovation. I am especially committed to exploring how biotechnology can be used responsibly to tackle global environmental issues and create a more sustainable future.