Catherine M. Loc-Carrillo, MSc, PhD, BSc (Hons)

Dr. Loc-Carrillo obtained her BSc. (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, her MSc. in Biotechnology from Nottingham Trent University, UK. and her PhD. from the University of Nottingham, UK. Between 2006 and 2009 she worked in the biotech field where she was a the Senior Research Scientist and manager of an R&D department. She returned to academia in 2010 because of a desire to do basic research and teach students how to become good research scientists. Her research since 2010 has involved looking at how antibacterial agents such as phages can be applied for the reduction and eradication of problematic bacteria. As a research faculty her goal is to conduct well-­controlled, impartial research to investigate alternative treatments against infections, with particular emphasis on antibiotics resistant bacteria.

Research Statement

I have been fascinated with bacterial infections and investigating ways to treat them since my undergraduate degree in biomedical science. My doctorate degree involved studying the potential of bacteriophages to control Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens prior to slaughter for food consumption. My postdoctorate experiences have also included managing all three of the laboratories I’ve worked at. From 2006 to 2009, I worked in the biotech industry developing phage-based products to detect food pathogens and decontaminate food. My experience in industry has provided me with an insight into how to develop products that comply with regulatory guidelines, as well as experience in overseeing multiple projects, managing a team of scientists and meeting deadlines.

As the Director of the Micro-Phage Laboratory, my primary focus is translational research to study prevention and treatment of bone and wound infections using experimentally infected animal models. I am also interested in forming collaborations with other researchers to help them design and execute reproducible small animal models, as well as provide support to process samples for microbiological analysis. I am working to develop a service (core) laboratory that can support microbiological analysis of environmental, food, and clinical samples, working with both academic and industry partners.

Selected Publications