Maria Spyrou

Maria has a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Aberdeen, an MRes in Infection and Immunobiology from the University of Glasgow as well as an MSc in Medical and Molecular Microbiology from the University of Nottingham. Her PhD research focused on deciphering cell wall synthesis during cell division in pathogenic fungi using genome editing, live-fluorescence microscopy and bioinformatics. Throughout her academic journey, Maria acted as a student and PGR representative and has taken part in multiple public engagement events, such as the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. During her PhD, Maria was also shortlisted for the prestigious Max Perutz Science Writing Award and won several awards at national and international conferences.

After completing her PhD, Maria spent 2.5 years working as a Postdoctoral associate at a world leading research centre at University of Exeter. During her postdoc she also undertook a role as a Postdoctoral and PGR representative and took part in co-organising the local Pint of Science festival.