Dr Chinyere Okoro
About
Biography
Chinyere graduated with a degree in industrial microbiology in Nigeria, followed by an MSc in industrial and commercial biotechnology from Newcastle University, UK in 2007, where her research project focussed on using a range of genotypic and phenotypic approaches to characterise novel actinomycetes whilst highlighting potential bioactivity in recovered isolates.
In 2012, she obtained a PhD in molecular biology from Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, enabled by a four-year Wellcome Trust PhD studentship and was based at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK. During her PhD research, she used a combination of genomic and phenotyping methods to investigate the genotype to phenotype links in human-invasive variants of Salmonella Typhimurium.
She was awarded a Society-in Science, Branco Weiss Fellowship in 2013. Chinyere extended her previous research and developed her current research firstly, as a postdoctoral fellow at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (2012-2014) and then as a Research Associate at the Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge (2015-2017).
Chinyere joined the University of Surrey as an Academic Fellow in February 2017.
Areas of specialism
University roles and responsibilities
- Module Lead BMS1035 PRACTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY
- Academic Integrity Officer (FHMS)
ResearchResearch interests
Our lab research broadly aims to use best-fit methods to study the epidemiology of and identify variation in important enteric pathogen populations in order understand the contributory role of the identified variation in disease transmission. Specifically, My research broadly focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens emerge and spread. So far, I have used methods that are based on whole genome sequencing and analyses and combined results from these analyses with corresponding epidemiological and clinical information to understand how enteric pathogens spread over time and space.
My previous research focused on using whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic methods to determine the population structure and transmission dynamics of human-invasive variants of Salmonella Typhimurium from several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We also used various in-vitro and ex-vivo assays to characterise identified phylogenetic lineages and ascertain distinguishing phenotypes.
My current research includes investigating the prevalence and transmission dynamics of clinically-important drug resistant enteric bacteria, including Klebsiella, E. coli and other enteric bacteria in community settings using a One Health approach. I explore the complex interplay between humans, animals and their environments and the transmission dynamics of important virulence determinants and antibiotics resistance between these.
I am also interested in investigating environmental reservoirs of AMR and evaluating soil as a conduit for the transmission of AMR
For the above, we use genome-based analyses and various phenotyping assays to study variation, such as antimicrobial resistance, within and between identified bacterial pathogen populations.
Research collaborations
Prof Iruka Okeke - University of Ibadan, Nigeria & Haverford College, US
Prof Oladipo Aboderin - Obafemi Awolowo University Ife, Nigeria
Research interests
Our lab research broadly aims to use best-fit methods to study the epidemiology of and identify variation in important enteric pathogen populations in order understand the contributory role of the identified variation in disease transmission. Specifically, My research broadly focuses on understanding how bacterial pathogens emerge and spread. So far, I have used methods that are based on whole genome sequencing and analyses and combined results from these analyses with corresponding epidemiological and clinical information to understand how enteric pathogens spread over time and space.
My previous research focused on using whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic methods to determine the population structure and transmission dynamics of human-invasive variants of Salmonella Typhimurium from several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We also used various in-vitro and ex-vivo assays to characterise identified phylogenetic lineages and ascertain distinguishing phenotypes.
My current research includes investigating the prevalence and transmission dynamics of clinically-important drug resistant enteric bacteria, including Klebsiella, E. coli and other enteric bacteria in community settings using a One Health approach. I explore the complex interplay between humans, animals and their environments and the transmission dynamics of important virulence determinants and antibiotics resistance between these.
I am also interested in investigating environmental reservoirs of AMR and evaluating soil as a conduit for the transmission of AMR
For the above, we use genome-based analyses and various phenotyping assays to study variation, such as antimicrobial resistance, within and between identified bacterial pathogen populations.
Research collaborations
Prof Iruka Okeke - University of Ibadan, Nigeria & Haverford College, US
Prof Oladipo Aboderin - Obafemi Awolowo University Ife, Nigeria
Supervision
Postgraduate research supervision
Teaching
UNDEGRADUATE
BMS1035 - PRACTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL BACTERIOLOGY
POSTGRADUATE
MMIM021 - BACTERIAL, PROTOZOAL AND FUNGAL PATHOGENS
MMIM018 - MICROBIAL GENETICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Publications
https://www.sciencedirect.com/bookseries/methods-in-microbiology/vol/41