Melinda Ashcroft

Melinda Ashcroft

Infectious Diseases Epidemiologist (Climate Change) | Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics Scientist | Scientific Writer, Editor, and Communicator

Melinda M Ashcroft (PhD)

ABOUT ME

My research interests are in human infectious diseases. I am particularly interested in the epidemiology, evolution, pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and genomics of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. I aim to translate my research into both clinical and public health use.

During my studies I realised I could combine my two passions, computers and biology and subsequently embarked on a research career with a heavy background in epidemiology, genomics, and bioinformatics in infectious diseases. I have a Masters of Biotechnology, a PhD in Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics and research experience as a Postdoctoral Fellow (Microbial Genomics) and Research Fellow (Infectious Disease Epidemiology) in Australia.

RESEARCH

Current research projects focus on:

  • Applied and clinical epidemiology of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM).
  • Geospatial epidemiology of NTM infections associated with climate, weather and the environment.
  • Comparative genomics and genomic epidemiology of Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC).

Future projects:

  • Genomic epidemiology of NTM with a focus on Mycobacterium intracellulare and Mycobacterium abscessus.

Past projects:

  • Genomic epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae lineages.
  • Characterising surface polysaccharides and antimicrobial-resistant lineages of Klebsiella spp.
  • Epigenomics and Phylogenomics of ExPEC.

Research specialties: Infectious Diseases epidemiology, Genomic Epidemiology, Microbial Genomics/Bioinformatics, Transmission Dynamics and Phylogenomics, Pathogen Evolution, Virulome and Resistome, Data Visualisation and Biostatistics.

Track record:

  • 1 year of infectious diseases epidemiology research and technical experience (Research Fellow)
  • 8 years of microbial genomics, bioinformatics, and genomic epidemiology research and technical experience (PhD + Postdoc)
  • 21 presentations (including 8 posters, with 6 as invited speaker).
  • 8 peer reviewed publications, 3 preprints, and 3 conference abstracts published.
  • Awarded $31,886 in grant funding and $5,275 in prizes.
  • Strong data analysis skills (epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, genomic data analysis, Python and R scripting).

TEACHING

My teaching interests are in Infectious Diseases, Microbiology, Genomics and Bioinformatics, and Biotechnology.

  • Current co-supervisor of a PhD student at the University of Queensland: Geospatial epidemiology, climate, weather and environmental modelling of nontuberculous mycobacteria.
  • Previous co-supervisor of an Honours student at the University of Melbourne: Improving detection of antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae using genomics. Student was awarded First-Class Honours and published a first-author paper of their thesis chapter in J Clin Microbiol.
  • Guest lecturer: Medical Microbiology: Bacteriology subject at the University of Melbourne: Neisseria gonorrhoeae pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance and genomics.
  • Core practicals convenor and lecturer: Genomics and Bioinformatics subject at the University of Queensland.
  • Teaching assistant/Tutor at the University of Queensland: Genomics and Bioinformatics, Microbes and Human Health, Human Molecular Genetics and Disease, and Advanced Genome Informatics.