This research reconstructs viral transmission trees using genomic sequencing data to study how human behavior shapes infectious disease outbreaks. Analyzing COVID-19 transmission in Iceland revealed differences in infectiousness across quarantined and demographic groups, informing vaccine distribution strategies that improved population-level protection and influenced national public health policy.

This research examined how COVID-19 viral loads change over time across saliva, throat, and nasal samples. The study found that different sample types detect infection at different stages, demonstrating that testing method matters. These findings could improve diagnostic strategies for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and future emerging respiratory viruses.

This talk traces the devastation of the Black Death to highlight a modern crisis: antibiotic resistance. Misuse of antibiotics accelerates the rise of superbugs. Using AI and machine learning, the research identifies genetic resistance patterns and guides effective treatments, aiming to improve clinical decisions and prevent a return to a pre-antibiotic era.

This research investigates tularemia, a highly infectious disease caused by Francisella tularensis, and explores a weakened bacterial strain as a vaccine candidate. By studying how the pathogen evades immune defenses, the work aims to enable rapid immune recognition and response, improving protection against both natural infections and potential biothreats.

This research explores how mast cells—immune cells responsible for allergy symptoms—can be repurposed to strengthen vaccines. By targeting mast cells with nasal vaccines, stronger and longer-lasting immune responses may be generated, particularly benefiting high-risk populations and improving protection against infectious diseases.

This research investigates how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics, a growing global health threat. By identifying resistant bacteria and analysing how they chemically modify antibiotics, the work aims to uncover resistance mechanisms. These insights are essential for preserving antibiotic effectiveness and safeguarding treatments against life-threatening infections.

This research investigates how MRSA loses its antibiotic resistance by shedding the SCCmec genetic element. Environmental stressors such as heat and dryness increase this vulnerability, while antibiotics alone reinforce resistance. Understanding these mechanisms could enable new strategies to reverse resistance and improve treatment options for life-threatening MRSA infections.

Fungal infections are becoming harder to treat as fungi rapidly evolve resistance to limited antifungal drugs. This research reveals that large, multi-gene mutations—once overlooked—are common in resistant fungi. Understanding these dramatic genetic changes is critical for developing more effective antifungal therapies.

Malaria infects hundreds of millions each year by using the parasite Plasmodium to invade the liver through the CSP protein. This research designs tightly binding antibodies to block infection at its earliest stage, improving vaccine effectiveness and offering a path toward preventing malaria before symptoms begin.