Formerly at Lancaster University
Leishmania - sand fly interactions; functional genomics of insect vectors of medically important diseases; sand fly genome sequencing project; digestive physiology of bloodsucking insects; insect microbiology; microbial symbiosis; microbial ecology; insects and emerging infectious disease; natural antimicrobial systems and insects. Bio-art research. Bioscience research and art interface; development of the bioscience lab as artist studio. Perceptions of the scientist and artist collaboration. Role of design in biomedical research.
Microbiology, immunology and parasitology of insects; Phlebotomine sand flies and transmission of Leishmania. Microbial ecology of insects.
Recent and current projects in my laboratory include:
Leading a research group studying the role of Phlebotomine sand flies as transmitters of the medically important parasite Leishmania. Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease found in 88 countries worldwide with over 12 million cases and 2 million new cases every year. We are using DNA technologies including gene silencing to research the interactions between the Leishmania parasite and its blood sucking sand fly host. Research spans all aspects from lab to field work. Research includes Brazilian funded collaborative work with labs in Brazil. Our strain of Lutzomyia longipalpis was used to sequence the sand fly genome with scientists in Baylor College Texas. Main aim of my work is to discover new ways of disrupting transmission of this insect–borne disease.
I teach on the following modules.
Implementation, management and teaching the Global Health Summer School programme at Lancaster University Ghana in collaboration with Boston University. Includes internships for students from BLS and Boston University with NGOs. A unique course spanning public health and tropical medicine.
I have been working on art/science collaborations for the past seven years; see my personal blog and twitter @sandflyman
Current project called para-site-seeing, a digital artwork in collaboration with Jen Southern LICA with NEoN and Life Space in University of Dundee. Travels from the perspective of a Leishmania parasite. Exhibition commissioned at LifeSpace Gallery in summer 2019. Moved to Dundee Science Center November 2019 - March 2020.
Working with a number of artists including Wellcome Trust funded artist Gina Czarnecki to develop new art work based on biomedical research and exploring the ethics of using human tissue for art. Collaborated with Abandon Normal Devices to provide workshops on biological themes for artists. Workshops include Night of the Living Deadwood and Microbes as Material , co-organised with Dr Jackie Parry. Creating a cross disciplinary network of artists, scientists and health practitioners dedicated to combining creative research and learning in life sciences and the arts.
I managed an interdisciplinary EPSRC Catalyst research project called Patchworks. The project explored how homeless people might co-design a prototype tool using cheap, open source technology that improve health and wellbeing.
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Literature review › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Comment/debate › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Meeting abstract › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Comment/debate › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Press/Media: Teaching
Press/Media: Research
Press/Media: Research