Sean Kelly

I am a PhD student working with Prof. Mathew Upton in the Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens Research Group.

My research investigates several bacterial species of notable inherent antimicrobial resistance (AMR), namely Mycobacterium abscessus, and emerging Gram-negative pathogens of the genera Cupriavidus, Ralstonia and Pandoraea.

Infections with these bacteria are more prevalent in people with pre-existing lung conditions, such as people with cystic fibrosis (PWCF).

Notably, antibiotic regimens for these infections are arduous and frequently inadequate. Furthermore, for the emerging Gram-negative pathogens, there is a distinct lack of clinical guidance and susceptibility data to inform effective treatment.

My work investigates phenotypic and genotypic traits of these bacteria that may impact their virulence and elimination, with a major focus on antimicrobial susceptibility testing and assessing the efficacy of potential new treatments using in vitro models.

This project involves strong collaboration with scientists from Dr Jonathan Cox's Lab at the Biosciences Research Group (BRG) at Aston University, as well as Clinicians Dr Heather Green and Dr Andrew Jones from the Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre.

My research was part-funded by a fantastic grant awarded to us by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, as well as generous donations to the University of Plymouth that support our medical research.

• Member of Microbiology Society.
• Member of Applied Microbiology International (AMI).

• Microbiology Society Sutainability Committee - Shadowing Member for 2024

I am a Teaching & Support Assistant (TSA) and Marker for the School of Biomedical Sciences at University of Plymouth, supporting modules in Microbiology, Immunology and Anatomy & Physiology.

Peer reviewed for:

• Microbiology
• FEMS Microbiology Letters