Past members

PhD Students

Ezra Kitson's research was focused on understanding the interplay of small molecules and microbes in governing the health of peatlands. To achieve this he combined techniques used in analytical chemistry (e.g. high resolution NMR, Mass Spectrometry) and microbiology (e.g. metataxonomic sequencing, enzyme assays). 

Maggie Knight was a PhD student exploring antimicrobial resistance and the way in which fundamental microbial ecology influences the abundance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in wastewater treatment plants and the outflow of these locations into the natural environment. This project is in collaboration with Professor Rosalind Allen and Dr Eulyn Pagaling at the James Hutton Institute. Maggie graduated in 2022! 

Professor Rosalind Allen   |   Dr Eulyn Pagaling

Lukas Mühlbauer completed his PhD thesis titled, “Engineering bacteria for industrially extreme conditions”. He worked together with an industrial partner who has developed a novel anaerobic digester. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which complex communities of microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen. He was particularly interested in using this technology to make value-added products from sustainable feedstocks, such as seaweed. 

Amy Irvine was a PhD student funded by MRC. She is investigating the role of the intestinal microbiota in resistance to and recurrence of Clostridium difficile-associated dysbiosis, a major form of hospital-acquired infection, in collaboration with Dr Olga Moncayo and NHS Lothian.

Vicky Hu was a PhD student researching the role of biochar in anaerobic digestion bioprocesses. The application of anaerobic digestion (AD) has several benefits including the use of waste products as feedstock and/or wastewater treatment and bioenergy recovery.

Past Staff, Honours or Undergraduate Students

Fiona Strathdee is a brilliant research assistant extraordinaire who worked with Michael McDonald. She was the former part-time technician in the Free Lab who came back to bless us with her sunny presence! Thanks Fi!

Karolina Mąka is a Research Technician at Carbogenics. She holds a master’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Life Sciences in Poznań, specialising in Genetic Diagnostics and is experienced in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and bioprocess biotechnology. As a biotechnologist she is responsible for performing day-to-day laboratory activities, predominantly focusing on laboratory trials and process management, as well as regular biochemical testing aimed at monitoring of the anaerobic digesters.

Carbogenics