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Department: Pathobiology and Population Sciences

Campus: Hawkshead

Melanie is a postdoctoral scientist in the UKRI GCRF One Health Poultry Hub using metagenomics to trace pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in poultry distribution networks in India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

Melanie graduated with a BA from Rhodes University, South Africa in 2006, majoring in English Literature and Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Politics. She then moved to the University of Cape Town where she completed a BSc in Human Physiology and Genetics in 2009, and a BSc (Med) (Hons) in Medical Microbiology in 2010, and a MSc (Med) at the MRC/ UCT Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Institute in early 2013. She took a brief break from academia and worked for Siyavula Education, publishing open-education textbooks in Biology and Natural Sciences for High School and Primary School learners. In 2016, she joined Aberystwyth University as a PhD fellow in the EU Marie Curie MicroArctic ITN, using metagenomics to investigate the biotechnological potential of cryospheric bacteria. After completing the PhD in 2020, she joined the ÐÂÔÂÖ±²¥ and Prof Damer Blake's Lab as a Postdoctoral Scientist using metagenomics to trace pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in poultry distribution networks in India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

Researcher Association

ECR Forum (within One Health Poultry Hub)

  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) One Health Poultry Hub

    With integrated streams of social, economic, biological, mathematical and policy-led research, we are co-producing detailed knowledge on the biological, structural and socio-economic factors that shape networks of chicken production and distribution. The RVC-led UKRI GCRF One Health Poultry Hub brings together leading laboratory, clinical, veterinary and social scientists, as well as skilled communications experts, programme support staff and external stakeholders.  


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