Meet the Young Microbiologist of the Year Finalists: Christine Jordan
Posted on August 14, 2019 by Microbiology Society
The Sir Howard Dalton Young Microbiologist of the Year Prize is awarded by the Society each year. The prize recognises and rewards excellence in science communication by a Microbiology Society member who is a postgraduate student or postdoctoral researcher, having gained their PhD in the last two years. Two finalists are shortlisted from each of the Society’s Divisions based on a presentation given at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference or Irish Division meetings. The nine young scientists on this shortlist will give a 15-minute presentation at the Microbiology Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 12 September. In the run up to the AGM, we will be getting to know the finalists.
Irish Division Finalist: Christine Jordan, PhD Student
Current position: PhD Student, Imperial College London
Title of talk: Understanding how bacterial products from the microbiota can influence our immune cells at systemic sites
Research interests: My research interests lie in unravelling the complicated relationship between the microbiota and our immune system. Furthermore I am interested in harnessing this information to potentially boost our immune system against invading pathogens.
Theme of talk: My talk centres on the idea that bacteria in the human digestive system are being broken down and fragments of these bacteria are entering the bloodstream. Once in our circulation they can travel around our bodies, where they are able to interact with and influence the immune system outside of the gut. I want to understand where these bacterial fragments are being deposited and how they protect us against infections. My work is beginning to reveal that we are a 'super organism' of human and microbial cells, and their interaction is critical for our health.
If I wasn't a microbiologist, I would be... A fiction writer. I have a vivid imagination and enjoy creating stories. I read a lot of fiction and I would love to write my own novel one day.
