About

Phil graduated from Oxford University and gained a PhD at the University of Aberdeen where he was a lecturer in Medical Microbiology. He has occupied a number of positions at ESR, leading research projects ranging from investigating horizontal gene transfer from GMOs to looking at the evolution of the meningococcal strain responsible for the NZ epidemic. Currently he is a Principal Scientist and leads the internal Science Futures Advisory team. He is responsible for the Research Office, the allocation and reporting of the Strategic Science Investment Fund and ESR’s VISION scholarships and awards. His research interests include the population genetics of bacterial pathogens including Neisseria, Campylobacter, E. coli O157 and Salmonella.