Associate Professor in Bioscience Education

Qualifications:

Although a laboratory research scientist by training, I have been working in undergraduate education focused roles since 2010. I worked initially as a Teaching Fellow at the University of York before I moved to the Peninsula Medical School in 2013, first as a lecturer (2013-23) and as Associate Professor in Bioscience Education since 2023.

 I am interested in all aspects of teaching and learning, but particularly around ideas in the 'basic sciences', microbiology, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance. Since January 2022, I have been the school lead for Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) and am leading the evolution of this toward Case Based Learning (CBL). 

I am enthusiastic science communicator and have previously been invited to speak at local schools and colleges and contribute to our efforts as part of world antibiotic awareness week (WAAW)

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Microbiology (Molecular), University of Surrey

Ph.D, Department of Biology, University of York

PGCAP, University of Plymouth

SFHEA, Advance HE

Serving as external examiner:

I am not currently an external examiner. Please get in touch if you think I can help.

Research interests:

All of my research and scholarship is conducted as part of the Division of Educational Scholarship : Collaborations are welcome, please feel free to get in touch

Microbiology and AMR teaching in HE

I am particularly interested in how microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is taught nationally, both in science and healthcare curricula. I am interested in identifying difficult to understand topics within microbiology and tailoring teaching to address these areas.

CBL and small group learning in medical education

I am currently leading the design and implementation of a new Case-Based Learning curriculum at Peninsula Medical School, launching September 2026. My scholarly interest is in how small group learning approaches support student professional identity, belonging, and engagement.  

Student led mentoring

I am interested in student mentoring, particularly with supporting students to become peer-peer or near-peer mentors.

Study skills support and time usage

I am interested in helping students adapt to university learning and life. As part of this, I have an ongoing project looking to track student time usage in term time to help understand learning behaviours better.

Understanding of basic sciences in medical students

Many topics introduced in the pre-clinical phase of medical education are not fully understood until students reach clinical settings — by which point the opportunity to revisit them is often lost. I have a scholarly interest in how basic science knowledge develops over time and how curriculum design can better support its integration.

Other internal roles

Internally I have acted as an adviser and 'expert commentator' to PhD candidates. 

Grants contracts:

£3390 ‘A pilot scheme of integrated ‘grand round’ style tutorials to enhance biomedical science knowledge in clinical years medical students.’ With Dr Adele Hill (University of Plymouth) and Prof. Hisham Khalil (Derriford Hospital, Plymouth)

£3000 ‘Evaluation of the year 5 – year 1 mentoring scheme’ from the University of Plymouth Division of Educational Scholarship

Invited lectures:

"Emerging themes in infection (Antibiotic Resistance)" - British Dental Association, Plymouth group, 2018

Conferences organised:

• Microbiology Society 'Teaching Microbiology in Higher Education' symposium  2019
• Microbiology Society 'Teaching Microbiology in Higher Education' symposium (Friday) 2021 where I chaired a session on Advance HE fellowships
• Microbiology Society 'Teaching Microbiology in Higher Education' symposium (Monday)  2022 where I chaired talks on microbiology outreach

Links:

I contribute to our PLymouth ANtimicrobial EngagemenT (PLANET) Initiative which seeks to highlight the issue of antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance

Microbiology Society

British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

• I currently sit on the Microbiology Society Sustainability committee
• I co-organised the Microbiology Society 'Teaching Microbiology in Higher Education' symposium at the 2019, 2021 and 2022 annual conferences where I also chaired sessions. 
• I am a member of the 'Keep antimicrobials working' group as part of BSAC, developing antibiotic and antimicrobial stewardship competencies and resources for medical students

Internal Committees

Future Learning Environment Action Group

Member Teaching Development Committee (Advance HE application reviewer)

Grant Reviewer

Microbiology Society 

I have teaching interests in medical microbiology, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and molecular biology. I deliver lectures, year 1 & 2 life science resource centre sessions (small group teaching) and year 3 and 4 teaching in support of these areas. I previously co-organised the Microbiology Educators network as part of the Microbiology society. I am a Senior Fellow Advance HE and a Postgraduate certificate in academic practice. I have been nominated for, or have won, several student nominated awards. 

Within the Peninsula Medical School, I have several roles:

• Academic lead for microbiology (Peninsula Medical School)
• Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) lead, now CBL lead for BMBS
• Academic tutor BMBS year 1 & 2
• Medical Science Assessment lead (stage 1 BMBS)
• SSU provider for year 1 and 2 BMBS 
• I also help organise events as part of our Division of Educational Scholarship with Dr Tracey Collett and Dr Helen Watson

'Pre-clinical medical student time use and the predictions of teaching staff' - William Adams, MClinEd, 2021 (co-supervised with Dr Alina Beltechi)

'Evaluation of a remote near-peer mentoring scheme for undergraduate medical students' - Zachary Knee, MClinEd, 2021