Dr Grant January

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    Overview

    Profile summary

    Research Fellow in Natural Product Discovery on the Newton Fund/MRC/SAMRC - South Africa-UK Antibiotic Accelerator https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/uk-nil-south-africa-research-team-to-establish-hub-for-discovery-of-new-antibioticswith Prof. Mathew Upton of the Antibiotic resistant pathogens research group https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/biomedical-research-group/antibiotic-resistant-pathogens-research-group.This research project in Marine biodiscovery forms part of an exciting initiative between the United Kingdom and South African Medical Research Councils', with the principle aim of setting up an SA-UK Antibiotic Accelerator Initiative or Discovery Hub; particularly, investigating SA, UK, and Polar marine environments for novel antimicrobials. 
    Prior to taking up this position at the University of Plymouth, I did a short-term postdoctoral research fellowship on the SA-leg of the project, working with Prof. Rosemary Dorrington at Rhodes University (Marine Natural Products), whilst being seconded to CPUT, with Dr Marilize Le Roes-Hill at the Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (Actinobacterial Research).

    Professional memberships

    • British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2021)
    • Applied Microbiology International (2021)
    • Microbiology Society (2021)

    Teaching interests

    During my postgraduate studies I previously held a position as Biotechnology tutor and practical demonstrator. My duties consisted of assisting students and practical co-ordinators during practical sessions and included scientific writing, conceptualisation, and communication; tutoring, marking of tests, assignments, and examinations; and invigilating tests and examinations. 
    The modules I tutored were: Introduction to Microbiology (BTN 211), Quantitative Methods in Biotechnology (BTN 215), Environmental and Food Microbiology (BTN 213), Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology (BTN 312) and Plant Biotechnology and Proteomics (BTN 324). 

    Additional information

    Research interests:
    My interests include marine genetic resources, marine biodiscovery, novel antimicrobials, and antimicrobial resistance. In my postdoctoral project, I will be exploring biodiversity-rich marine environments to combat the pressing need for new antibiotics to treat antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, funded by the Newton Fund/MRC/SAMRC - South Africa-UK Antibiotic Accelerator Initiative.
    During my PhD, I worked on previously unexploited Antarctic deep-sea sediments to discover novel species of marine bacteria that could possess new antimicrobials against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
    In my MSc, I investigated endemic species of seaweed from South Africa for sulphated polysaccharides including fucoidan and determined their therapeutic potential including anticancer activity in vitro. 


    Invited lectures:

    • From deep-sea exploration to deep sequencing: The lost world of bioactive compounds. EMBRIC Transnational Access program. 15th January 2019. DSMZ, Brunswick, Germany.
    • Marine genetic resources in South Africa – current status, challenges, and ideas to build for the future. “Marine Genetic Resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction: bridging policy, law, science and research and development” Workshop in Brussels, 22nd May 2019, EU Commission - DG MARE, Brussels, Belgium.
    • From deep-sea exploration to deep sequencing: The lost world of bioactive. XVI International Symposium on Marine Natural Products (MANAPRO) and XI European Congress on Marine Natural Products (ECMNP). September, 2019. Peniche, Portugal.
    • Marine genetic resources in South Africa – current status, challenges, and ideas to build for the future. Paris Biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) Workshop, 8th November 2019. Paris, France.
    • Exploitation of new strains for drug discovery from Antarctica deep-sea sediments. Seminar series (MNF-bioc-374) – GEOMAR BIOTECH, 18th November 2019. University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
    • Access and Benefit Sharing of Marine Genetic Resources. Seminar series (MNF-bioc-374) – GEOMAR BIOTECH, 18th November 2019. University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. 

    Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

    In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

    • SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    • SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    • SDG 15 - Life on Land

    Academic qualifications

    PhD Molecular Life Sciences, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli

    … → 2020

    MSc (Marine) Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape

    20132015

    BSc (Hons) Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape

    20082012

    External positions

    Postdoctoral Researcher on the SA-UK Antibiotic Accelerator Initiative, Rhodes University

    Jul 2020Oct 2020

    EU Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) PhD fellow, National Research Council of Italy

    Mar 2017May 2020

    Manufacturing Scientist, Roche Sequencing Solutions

    Jan 2016Mar 2017

    Research Interests

    • Marine genetic resources
    • marine biodiscovery
    • novel antimicrobials
    • antimicrobial resistance

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