Skip to content Skip to main menu

The Germ’s Journey multidisciplinary research team consists of a microbiologist, educationalist, psychologists and media specialists. The project offers opportunities to postgraduate students from a range of disciplines.


Team members

Headshot photo of Dr. Katie Laird

Katie Laird

Prof. Katie Laird (Co-Founder of A Germ's Journey) is a Professor in Microbiology in the School of Pharmacy and Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group at De Montfort University. She has a BSc (Hons) in Biology and obtained a PhD in applied microbiology in 2008.

Headshot photo of Dr. Sarah Younie

Sarah Younie

Prof. Sarah Younie (Co-Founder of A Germ's Journey) is Professor of Education Innovation at De Montfort University. Prof. Younie has been involved in international and national teaching and research for thirty years. She is a founder member of MESH (Mapping Education Specialist KnowHow) project.

IMG_0824.JPG

Sapphire Crosby

Dr. Sapphire Crosby began working on the project as a Research Assistant in 2016 whilst completing an MA. Working alongside the project's Co-Founders, her research focuses on the co-creation and evaluation of the A Germ's Journey resources.

Johanna p1.jpg

Johanna McNicholl

Johanna is a part-time PhD student and part-time Access to HE tutor. She has a BSc. Hons in Biomedical Science from University of Sunderland and an MSc in Medical Molecular Biology from University of Westminster. Johanna's Research interests include infectious disease, public health, science communication and education.

RHamilton

Ryan Hamilton

Dr Ryan Hamilton is a senior lecture in pharmacy at De Montfort University and a lead clinical pharmacist for microbiology and infectious diseases in the NHS. His research focuses on the optimal treatment of complex and drug-resistant infections and the support of people diagnosed with drug-resistant organisms. Ryan has also developed education and outreach programmes about antimicrobial resistance for young people in schools and uniformed groups such as Scouts and Guides.

Headshot photo of Charlie Firth

Charlie Firth

Charlie Firth is a Masters by Research student at De Montfort University. Charlie became part of the project in January 2019 during a trip to India and has since joined the team as the Media and Communications Manager, managing media campaigns as well as the Germ’s Journey social media.

Joe Glover.jpg

Joseph Glover

Joseph Glover became part of the project during our first trip to India in 2017 whilst studying an English Language Teaching MA at De Montfort University. He has since joined us on another trip to India, as well as Sierra Leone and a number of school visits in the UK. Now a graduate, he is the Community Engagement Officer and is also the author on an upcoming book for the A Germ’s Journey project.

Headshot photo of Dr. Richard Procter

Richard Procter

Dr. Richard Procter is a Lecturer at De Montfort University. His research interests include education, technology and assessment.

Headshot photo of Charlie Evans

Charlie Evans

Charlie Evans is a graphic designer, part-time lecturer and DMU alumni. She has been working as part of the team since the beginning of the project back in 2014 as an illustrator and creator, through DMU Frontrunners and has continued working freelance on the project since graduating.