I am an Associate Research Scientist at the Yale School of Public Health. My work focuses on understanding the fundamental biology of Streptococcus pneumoniae, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underpin important pneumococcal activities such as capsule switching or antibiotic resistance, with the aim to guide better prevention and treatments for disease caused by this bacterium. My PhD "A novel linkage between maintenance of protein translational fidelity and cell wall biosynthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae" focused on MurM, a cytoplasmic protein which is important for the development of high-level penicillin resistance. My postdoctoral work focused on developing a method for enrichment of pneumococcus from a mixed serotype sample (in lab experiments), or a polymicrobial sample (such as saliva), which makes isolation of serotype specific pneumococci more efficient. My current research as an Associate Research Scientist focuses on the capsular polysaccharide, and gaining a more complete understanding genetic and metabolic restrictions for pneumococcal capsule switching and the subsequent impact of this on the emergence of new serotypes following vaccine implementation.Since joining Yale in 2019 I have been heavily involved in the Yale Postdoctoral Association (YPA), holding leadership positions for Professional Development Committee, Symposium Committee and the Treasury, as well as being elected co-chair of the association from 2021-2022. I have a keen interest in science communication and public engagement, and enjoy mentoring students in the lab.