Isobel is a PhD student focusing on Antimicrobial Resistant (AMR) bacteria in bivalve shellfish. Her research aims to understand the prevalence and diversity of AMR bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) within UK oysters, ARG transfer dynamics within the bivalve microbiome and the risks this may pose to human health. Her research aims to help inform surveillance strategies for AMR and public health risk assessments in shellfish aquaculture.

She is supervised by Professor William Gaze, Dr Anne Leonard and Professor Angus Buckling from the University of Exeter and Dr Craig Baker-Austin from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). This work is funded by the Sustainable Aquaculture Futures Partnership between the University of Exeter and Cefas.

Isobel graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science in 2023 from the University of Surrey, during which she undertook a professional training year at Cefas in the FAO AMR Reference Centre. During her placement, she worked on developing a surveillance protocol to detect AMR and ARGs in ornamental fish imports.