TEAM
DR SHARON HUWS
Lab Head & Principal Investigator
Email: s.huws@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: BSc MSc PhD FHEA
Research interests: Understanding the role that rumen microbes play in ruminant food security. I coordinate the global ‘Rumen Microbial Genomics’ network (2013-present) and I'm in receipt of a Brazil Special Visiting Researcher Award (2014-present). I am also a ruminant nutrition section editor for the journal Animal and an editor for the journal Microbiome and Frontiers in Microbiology. My research is strategically focused on understanding the functionality of the rumen microbes to address food security and human health, coupled with industrial biotechnology related to the rumen microbiome. I also have a general interest in microbiomes and on occasion also focus attention on poultry, pig and even human lung microbiomes.
Personal interests: Listening to music (particularly indie music-showing my age!) whilst drinking red wine! Occasionally I go running and read non-scientific books also in between being a mother, a scientist and an avid coffee fan!
DR LINDA OYAMA
Research Fellow
Email: l.oyama@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: BSc, MSc, PhD
Research interests: My current research involves the use of cutting edge molecular microbiology, bioinformatics, genomic and metagenomic methods for novel anti-infectives discovery and development (including 'non antibiotic' antimicrobials like antimicrobial peptides) from the rumen and other gut microbiomes.
I also work on exploring the mechanisms of action of these novel compounds against multi drug resistant bacteria with a focus on MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acinetobacter and Campylobacter infections.
Personal interests: In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, singing and dancing. Never without a smile.
JAMES PICKUP
PhD Student
Email: jpickup01@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: BSc Biology, MPhil Biological Sciences
Research interests: I joined the Huws Lab when I started my PhD on using novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to treat Histomonas meleagridis, the cause of blackhead disease in Turkeys. So far, I am currently developing new methods for accurate detection of H. meleagridis in a mixed culture. I am also carrying out AMP efficacy studies against H. meleagridis for development as antihistomonal treatments. My project also involves gut microbiome characterisation of Turkeys that succumb and/or survive to H. meleagridis infection to identify differences and markers or treatment of the infection.
Personal interests: I am an active white water kayak-er who tries to get out and explore in my kayak as well as teach others how to kayak. When I can’t kayak, I like making warhammer models as painting them relaxes me ready for the next day's work.
SARA PIDCOCK
PhD Student
Email: spidcock01@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: BSc Microbiology
Research interests: I became a member of The Huws Lab in September 2016 after being offered the opportunity to study for a PhD. My research is based on rumen lipid metabolism, and its manipulation via the rumen microbiome. So far, this has involved the production of a metatranscriptome, which will enable me to see how microbial gene expression changes over time in response to incubation with lipids. My work focuses on bacteria from the genus Butyrivibrio, which are a taxonomic nightmare. Part of my research is attempting to untangle their classification and explore their relatedness through bioinformatics analyses.
Personal interests: In my spare time, I love to go on adventures – whether it’s seeing the puffins on Skomer Island, or jet skiing in Thailand! I’ve also had the good fortune to drive the Le Mans and Silverstone race tracks in my dad’s 1962 Triumph TR4, which was pretty cool! I also love reading, gaming, memes and bothering/chasing cats.
JOHANNA BRANS
PhD Student
Email: jbrans01@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: MSc (Agricultural Engineering)
Research interests: I have done all my studies in France, but I wanted to work in research abroad. So a PhD was more interesting to reach this goal than an engineering diploma. Now, here I am!
I joined the lab in January 2018 for my PhD. I am working on lipid quality in ruminant meat with the aim of improving human health & well being. I will be looking at Omega-3 fatty acids in ruminant meat, starting with lambs. This will be managed by a diet change. So you can eat your steak & enjoy it without guilt, ‘with potentially improved levels of Omega-3.
Personal interests: I love travelling, chocolate & Disney movies.
DR FERNANDA GODOY
Visiting Research Fellow
Email: f.godoysantos@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: BSc Animal Science, MSc and Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Microbiology from University Federal of Viçosa – Brazil
Research interests: I’m working with bioinformatic analysis of genomic data of rumen bacteria as part of a RCUK-CONFAP Institutional Links grant with Brazil held by Dr Sharon Huws with Dr Hilário Mantovani from the Federal University of Viçosa and in conjunction with Dr. Chris Creevey from Aberystwyth University. Our study is based on the discovery of novel antimicrobials from the rumen microbiome as well as the exploration of ruminal condition effects on the physiology and evolution ruminal microorganism. My previous research experience include areas of physiology, molecular and biochemistry of microorganisms; anaerobic microbiology (rumen); antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins); antimicrobial resistances; biofilms (CDC reactors); fermentations; cell signalling pathways.
Personal interests: During my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, hanging out with friends, going to the gym, reading books, gardening, cooking and trying new food, etc.
MIYOUNG WON
Visiting Research Student
Email: m.won@qub.ac.uk
Qualifications: MSc Konkuk University
Research interests: I’m a PhD student from South Korea studying at Aberystwyth University with Dr Sharon Huws. My research is based on quorum sensing (cell-cell bacterial communication) in the rumen. Having done research in several countries including South Korea and Japan I have gained valuable experience and opportunities working with different people and research discilines.
Personal interests: I love to sleep, travel and learn new languages.
YASMIN NEVES
MSc Research Student
Email: yasmin.nvs@hotmail.com
Qualifications: BSc Pharmacy
Research interests: I concluded my BsC in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Brazil, in 2015. My final research work was on bacteriocin produced by ruminal bacteria. In 2016, I started my MSc in Agricultural Microbiology at Federal University of Vicosa (UFV), Brazil. My project is about the detection and analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in ruminal bacteria. This involves the use of in silico analyses methods or the detection of resistance genes, phylogenetic analyses and selection pressure analyses. I will also be studying the expression of these genes in metatranscriptomes. Some in vitro analyses with the ruminal bacteria analysed in silico will also be conducted, where I will confirm antibiotic resistance with some ruminal pure cultures. The in vitro part of my work is being carried out at the Huws Lab at Queens University, Belfast.
Personal interests: In my free time I love to practice some sports, especially volleyball, be with my family, go out with my friends, and take care of my dogs.
ANA JULIA MOREIRA
Sandwich Undergraduate Student
Email: ana.julia@ufv.br
Qualifications: BVetMed - pending
Research interests: I started my degree in Veterinary Medicine at the Federal University of Vicosa, Brazil, in March 2015. Beginning in 2016, I started my internship at the Anaerobic Microbiology Laboratory under the supervision of Professor Hilario Cuquetto Mantovani, where I developed my knowledge of these tiny little creatures. I became a member of The Huws Lab in the second half of 2017 as part of my sandwich degree. My research is based, through in silico analysis, on the characterization of the virulence factors in the Streptococcus genus in relation to their habitat.
Personal interests: A Netflix addict, who loves to read and travel, as well as bother my friends and spoil my pets.
PAULINE GAULMIN
Email: pauline.gaulmin@gmail.com
Qualifications: Bsc- Pending
Research Interest: I live in centre of France.
I am student at IUT University Clermont Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand (France), and currently preparing a DUT ABB – Second Year of BSc, in Applied Biology, biological and biochemical analyses.
My university signed an agreement with Queen’s University and I will make a laboratory placement, from April 16th, 2018 to July 6th 2018, at the school of Biological Sciences with the team of Doctor Sharon HUWS.
Personal Interests: In my spare time, I play clarinet in an orchestra and I love to ride a horse.
