Dr Gary Forster-Wilkins

Contact

Email: g.forster-wilkins@kingston.ac.uk
Location: Penrhyn Road
Faculty: Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
School: School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry
Department: Department of Biomolecular Sciences

About

I completed my BSc (Hons) Biochemistry and PhD (Bacterial Gene Transposition) at the University of Warwick, then moved on to post doctoral research in the areas of functional abnormalities of platelets/neutrophils in diabetics and biochemical mechanisms of lipoprotein modification at the University of Warwick, Universita degli studi di Ancona (Italy) and the University of Reading.

I have been at Kingston University since 1997, becoming an Associate Professor in 2017, and my teaching focus has been metabolic biochemistry, molecular genetics (with an emphasis on prokaryotic genetics) and bioinformatics.

My current research primarily focuses on the use of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques to investigation the pathogenicity and evolution of medical and veterinary microbial pathogens in collaboration with Professor Mark Fielder. I also participate in learning and teaching related research, in collaboration with Dr Nigel Page (LSPC School Director, Learning and Teaching)

Academic responsibilities

Head of Department of Biomolecular Sciences & Associate Professor

Qualifications

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
PGCTLHE, Kingston University
PhD Chemistry (Studies on Bacterial Gene Transposition), University of Warwick
BSc (Hons) Biochemistry, University of Warwick

Teaching and learning

Undergraduate courses taught

Postgraduate courses taught

Cancer Biology MSc

Research

My current research primarily focuses on the use of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques to investigation the pathogenicity and evolution of medical and veterinary microbial pathogens. In collaboration with Prof Mark Fielder, I co-supervise PhD students and Masters by Research students. Undergraduate projects, undergraduate internships and taught MSc projects also contribute to this research.

At present there are four themes to this research: Bioinformatic analysis of pathogenicity/virulence genes within complete Staphylococcus aureus genomes (esp. MRSA); Development rapid diagnostic assays for Salmonella species in calves with scour; The evolution of de novo antibiotic resistance; Investigation of antibiotic producing organisms (APOs) in the soil of ancient/established woodland.