Dr Tina Joshi
Profiles

Dr Tina Joshi

Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology

Peninsula Dental School (Faculty of Health)

Dr Tina Joshi can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Microbiology
  • Infectious disease
  • Molecular biology
  • Disinfection
  • Antibiotic resistance
  • Pathogens
  • Diagnostics
  • Experimental methods
  • Laboratory methods
Biography

Biography

I am an Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology in Peninsula Dental School. I teach and research in the field of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. My Clinical Microbiology teaching has been recognised through national shortlisting as Most Innovative Teacher of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2020 and winning SSTAR Teaching Awards at the University of Plymouth. My interdisciplinary research is focused on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and development of sustainable Molecular Diagnostics (using novel technologies) to help tackle the Global Healthcare Challenge of Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). My research group is based within the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research.

I am a recognised national expert in Anti-Microbial Resistance and my knowledge exchange and policy activities contribute to help policy makers and the wider public enhance their understanding of AMR. I am passionate about public engagement and I regularly provide expert commentary in the areas of Infectious Diseases, COVID-19 transmission and AMR in local, national and international media. I sit on the Microbiology Society Council and the Science Committee Board of Antibiotic Research UK.

Dr Joshi's professional YouTube Channel.

Background: After obtaining my BSc in Microbiology at Cardiff University, I completed my PhD in Molecular Microbiology (development of Biosensor Diagnostics for infections) at the Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University and patented the findings. I subsequently undertook several multidisciplinary Postdoctoral projects exploring commercial development and translation of these biosensor technologies in collaboration with microwave engineers at Cardiff School of Engineering and with Industry partners. I translated the technology to detect a wide range of clinical pathogens while gaining teaching experience. In August 2017 I joined the University of Plymouth as a Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology and was promoted to Associate Professor in August 2022. I have successfully built an independent research group and strong national and international collaborations focusing on developing point-of-care Microbial Diagnostics for AMR and Infection Control. I am a very strong advocate for feasible incentives to promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Academia and Microbiology.

Lead for the Molecular Microbiology Research Group.

Honours & Awards:

Qualifications

  • 2022: Oxford Women's Leadership Development Programme, University of Oxford, Said Business School.
  • 2019: Postgraduate Certificate of Academic Practice with Distinction (PGCD)
  • 2019: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • PhD Pharmacy "Pathogenicity and a bedside real-time detection assay for C. difficile in the faeces of hospitalised patients". Cardiff University
  • BSc Microbiology Hons. Cardiff University

Professional membership

Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS); Fellow Higher Education Academy (FHEA); Member of Royal Society of Biology (MRSB); Member of Society for Applied Microbiology; Member of Microbiology Society; Member of Antibiotic Research UK; Member of Healthcare Infection Society; Member of American Society for Microbiology, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, ESCMID.

Roles on external bodies

External Committees

Antibiotic Research UK (ANTRUK): 
- Science Committee (National) 
Microbiology Society:
 - Chair of Federation of Infection Societies (FIS) (National) 
 - Co-Chair Impact and Influence Committee [Policy] (National)    
 - Council & Trustee
 - Scientific Programme Committee
 - AMR Advisory Group (National)


Internal Committees
Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) Steering Group. 2020- present
University of Plymouth Public Engagement Champions Group. 2018 - 2023.
University of Plymouth Employability Advisory Group. 2018 - 2023
SoapBox Science Plymouth Organising Committee. 2019 - 2022.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Journal of Medical Microbiology (Microbiology Society) 2022- present
Editorial Board Member: FEMS Microb. Letters - Section Editor for Clinical & Veterinary Microbiology (2021-present); Microbiology Spectrum (ASM) (2022).
Journal Reviewer: Specialist International Microbiology Journals incl. Springer Nature
Grant Reviewer: UKRI Talent Peer Review College (MRC, BBSRC); AMS Springboard; Royal Society; Wellcome; ANTRUK; International Bodies.

Key publications

Dyer C, Hutt LP, Burky R & Joshi LT (2019) 'Biocide Resistance and Transmission of Clostridium difficile Spores Spiked onto Clinical Surfaces from an American Health Care Facility' Applied and Environmental Microbiology , DOI Open access
Malyshev D, Jones IA, McKracken M, Öberg R, Harper G, Joshi LT & Andersson M (2023) 'Hypervirulent R20291 Clostridioides difficile spores show disinfection resilience to sodium hypochlorite despite structural changes' BMC Microbiology 23, , DOI Open access
Scott R, Joshi LT & McGinn C (2022) 'Hospital surface disinfection using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology: A review' Healthcare Technology Letters , DOI Open access
Watanabe K, Wu H-Y, Xavier J, Joshi LT & Vollmer F (2022) 'Single virus detection on silicon photonic crystal random cavities' Small , DOI Open access
Joshi LT (2021) 'Using alternative teaching and learning approaches to deliver clinical microbiology during the COVID19 pandemic' FEMS Microbiology Letters , DOI Open access
Jones IA & Joshi LT (2021) 'Biocide Use in the Antimicrobial Era: A Review' Molecules 26, (8) 2276-2276 , DOI Open access
View all publications
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

I teach in the field of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology; with specific expertise in molecular diagnosis of microbial infections, infection control and bacterial genomics. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have a Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice with Distinction (PGCD). I encourage an open and relaxed learning environment where students feel able and comfortable to ask questions and enjoy learning.


I am the Programme Lead for Dental Foundation BDS & DTH Year 0.
Module Lead BDT003 Learning Skills for Dentistry

Research Project Supervisor:
BHCS3001 Research Projects in Molecular Microbiology & Infection Control
BHCS5006 MSc Biomedical Sciences Research Projects (Biosensor and Molecular Microbiology focused)

Previous Teaching Involvement
(School of Biomedical Sciences) Former School Employability Lead 
Module Lead (Infection Sciences): BHCS2006 Infection, Immunity & Disease & BHCS3003 Clinical Microbiology (Designed the curricula for these Modules)
BHCS001 Infection, Immunity & Therapeutics (Designed the curricula for this Module)
BHCS1011 Study Skills and personal development
BHCS1006 Infection & Immunity
BHCS2001 Biology of Disease
BHCS2027 Placements & Employability
BHCS3031 Personal Development & Employability
BIOM5005 Project Design & Development (& Employability)
BHCS5008 Infection & Immunity

Staff serving as external examiners

External Examiner:

University of Bedfordshire. 2021- present. MSc Microbiology in Public Health.

External PhD Viva Voce Thesis Examining:

  • University of Newcastle 2021
  • University of Bristol 2021
  • Aston University 2022
  • University of Oxford/Cardiff 2022
  • Swansea University 2023 (MSc via Research)
  • University of Wollongong NSW, Australia 2023

Research

Research

Research interests

Lead for the Molecular Microbiology Research Group

Rapid point of care detection of Antimicrobial Resistant (AMR) bacteria

Tina is an expert in the development of novel ultra-rapid point-of-care diagnostics for detection of infections. Her research was featured on BBC One's "The Truth about Antibiotics" in 2019. She is developing an international reputation of excellence within this area. Tina's multidisciplinary experience (<15 years) lies specifically in the areas of novel microwave-enhanced rapid diagnostics for microbial detection and DNA extraction, combined with the newest developments in molecular biology. She honed these multidisciplinary skills during her Ph.D placement at the Institute of Fluorescence at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA with global experts in novel rapid diagnostics. 

Tina's Areas of expertise include: Clostridioides difficile, Bacillus anthracis; AMR pathogens; Field effect transistors (FETS), thin-film transistors, application of Microwave engineering to molecular biology, aptamer design, aptamer-functionalisation of nanoparticles, microwave-accelerated metal enhanced fluorescence, microbial bioinformatics and biosensor development. 

Infection Prevention and Control & Microbicides

Tina has a strong interest in infection control and this research looks to understand how biocide use can affect the genomic and phenotypic properties of viruses, bacteria and spores. A key theme is Clostridioides difficile spore persistence and transfer across fomites and clinical environments. She is a member of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) C. difficile Study Group (ESCDG).

Tina's Areas of expertise include: Category 2 &3 pathogens, biocide testing, molecular microbiology, DNA sequencing, industry collaborations. Tina also provides expert consultancy in these areas.

Other research

Community Engagement

Tina is passionate about public engagement and knowledge mobilisation. During the COVID-19 pandemic Tina regularly provided voluntary expert information about infectious disease transmission via broadcast media (BBC Spotlight, BBC Radio Devon & BBC Radio Cornwall) to support her local Community in the South West. 

Recently she collaborated with local Plymouth charities to produce infection control and hygiene learning resources for adults with learning difficulties. She is collaborating with the School of Psychology & School of Art, Design & Architecture to examine impacts and public opinions of AMR and COVID-19 UK Government messaging. 

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Tina has successfully and independently supervised both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Applications for PhD research in Tina's areas of expertise are welcomed. Please email: tina.joshi@plymouth.ac.uk

Current Post Graduate Research Students (Director of Studies)

Braith Grey - PhD Candidate. Toward a low-cost, rapid point-of-care biosensor for detection of Antibiotic Resistant Urinary Tract Infections (co-supervisor Professor Mathew Upton)

Matthew McKracken- PhD Candidate. Effect of antimicrobial biocides on resistance in Clostridioides difficile spores within healthcare settings (co-supervisors Prof Mathew Upton & Dr Kris Jeremy)

Alistair White - ResM Candidate. The molecular effects of microwave irradiation upon antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens (co-supervisors Prof. Mathew Upton & Dr Vehid Salih)

Current Group Members 

Matthew McKracken - Research Assistant in Anaerobic Microbiology

Current PhD students (Co-Supervisor):
Justyna Lopatecka – Establishment and characterisation of human alveolar macrophage like cell lines (co-supervisor with Dr Gyuri Fejer

Current ResM students (Co-Supervisor):
Sanduni Thanthi Hewage Peiris (ResM candidate – co-supervisor with Dr Gyuri Fejer)

Past Group Members:
Katherine Silver (Research Assistant & MSc)
Imogen Anne Jones – UG SFAM Summer Vacation studentship
Kalilu Donzu (MSc)
Dianne Antonio (UG Student)
Shannon Waterfield (UG Student)
Nellie Dalpadoruge Fernando (UG Student)
Humaira Ahmed (UG Student)

Grants & contracts

Tina has a strong track record in obtaining independent research funding (~£600K).  

Selected Recent Funding includes:

R&D Solutions Fund: Imaging The Growth of Anaerobic Subgingival Biofilms in a Simulation of in vivo conditions. Co-PI with Professor Mathew Upton.

Modus Laboratories. Oral Anaerobic Biofilms. PI with Professor Mathew Upton.

Seale-Hayne Trust Grant. Options for Reducing Nitrous Oxide Transmissions from Agricultural Soils (ONIT). Co-PI with Professor Mark Fitzsimons.

Versarien PLC & Faculty of Health PhD Studentship. Toward a low-cost, rapid point-of-care biosensor for detection of Antibiotic Resistant Urinary Tract Infections. PI (Principal Investigator)

R&D Solutions Fund: Efficacy of UV-C technologies (Zeus Ultra Violet light machine) to decontaminate clinical gowns (Personal Protective Equipment) and surfaces from pathogenic microorganisms: with Finsen Technologies Ltd. PI.

Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), University of Plymouth. “COVID-19: Empowering Creativity & Community.” PI

University of Plymouth PhD Studentship. Establishment and Characterisation of human alveolar macrophage-like cell lines. Octobers 2018- present. Co- Investigator with Dr Gyorgy Fejer (PI), Professor Simon Jackson, Dr Ashwin Dhanda and Dr Chris Scotton. Student: Justyna Lopatecka.


Publications

Publications

Key publications

Dyer C, Hutt LP, Burky R & Joshi LT (2019) 'Biocide Resistance and Transmission of Clostridium difficile Spores Spiked onto Clinical Surfaces from an American Health Care Facility' Applied and Environmental Microbiology , DOI Open access
Malyshev D, Jones IA, McKracken M, Öberg R, Harper G, Joshi LT & Andersson M (2023) 'Hypervirulent R20291 Clostridioides difficile spores show disinfection resilience to sodium hypochlorite despite structural changes' BMC Microbiology 23, , DOI Open access
Scott R, Joshi LT & McGinn C (2022) 'Hospital surface disinfection using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology: A review' Healthcare Technology Letters , DOI Open access
Watanabe K, Wu H-Y, Xavier J, Joshi LT & Vollmer F (2022) 'Single virus detection on silicon photonic crystal random cavities' Small , DOI Open access
Joshi LT (2021) 'Using alternative teaching and learning approaches to deliver clinical microbiology during the COVID19 pandemic' FEMS Microbiology Letters , DOI Open access
Jones IA & Joshi LT (2021) 'Biocide Use in the Antimicrobial Era: A Review' Molecules 26, (8) 2276-2276 , DOI Open access

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Malyshev D, Jones IA, McKracken M, Öberg R, Harper G, Joshi LT & Andersson M (2023) 'Hypervirulent R20291 Clostridioides difficile spores show disinfection resilience to sodium hypochlorite despite structural changes' BMC Microbiology 23, , DOI Open access
Gupta AK, Venkataraman M, Joshi LT & Cooper EA (2022) 'Potential use of Microwave Technology in Dermatology' Journal of Dermatological Treatment 1-26 , DOI Open access
Waterfield S, Ahmed H, Jones IA, Burky R & Joshi LT (2022) 'Isolation of Clostridioides difficile PCR Ribotype 027 from single-use hospital gown ties' Journal of Medical Microbiology 71, (6) , DOI Open access
Scott R, Joshi LT & McGinn C (2022) 'Hospital surface disinfection using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology: A review' Healthcare Technology Letters , DOI Open access
Watanabe K, Wu H-Y, Xavier J, Joshi LT & Vollmer F (2022) 'Single virus detection on silicon photonic crystal random cavities' Small , DOI Open access
Joshi LT (2021) 'The G7 Summit 2021: Time for our world leaders to step up to the challenge of Anti-Microbial Resistance' Access Microbiology 3, (12) , DOI Open access
Jones IA, Silver K & Joshi LT (2021) 'Letter to the Editor' American Journal of Infection Control , DOI Open access
Jones IA, Silver K & Joshi LT (2021) 'Letter to the Editor' American Journal of Infection Control Author Site , DOI Open access
Joshi LT (2021) 'Using alternative teaching and learning approaches to deliver clinical microbiology during the COVID19 pandemic' FEMS Microbiology Letters , DOI Open access
Toropov N, Osborne E, Joshi LT, Davidson J, Morgan C, Page J, Pepperell J & Vollmer F (2021) 'SARS-CoV-2 Tests: Bridging the Gap Between Laboratory Sensors and Clinical Applications' ACS sensors , DOI Open access
Jones IA & Joshi LT (2021) 'Biocide Use in the Antimicrobial Era: A Review' Molecules 26, (8) 2276-2276 , DOI Open access
Gartshore A, Kidd M & Joshi LT (2021) 'Applications of Microwave Energy in Medicine' Biosensors 11, (4) 96-96 , DOI Open access
McKracken M, Garner C & Joshi LT (2020) 'COVID-19 and antibiotic resistance – The calm before the storm' AMRC Open Research , DOI Open access
Dyer C, Hutt LP, Burky R & Joshi LT (2019) 'Biocide Resistance and Transmission of Clostridium difficile Spores Spiked onto Clinical Surfaces from an American Health Care Facility' Applied and Environmental Microbiology , DOI Open access
Joshi LT, Welsch A, Hawkins J & Baillie L (2017) 'The effect of hospital biocide sodium dichloroisocyanurate on the viability and properties of Clostridium difficile spores' Lett Appl Microbiol 65, (3) 199-205 Author Site , DOI Open access
Imtiaz A, Lees J, Choi H & Joshi LT (2015) 'An Integrated Continuous Class-${\rm F} ^{-1}$ Mode Power Amplifier Design Approach for Microwave Enhanced Portable Diagnostic Applications' IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques 63, (10) 3007-3015 , DOI Open access
Joshi LT, Mali BL, Geddes CD & Baillie L (2014) 'Extraction and Sensitive Detection of Toxins A and B from the Human Pathogen Clostridium difficile in 40 Seconds Using Microwave-Accelerated Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence' PLoS ONE 9, (8) e104334-e104334 , DOI Open access
Joshi LT, Phillips DS, Williams CF, Alyousef A & Baillie L (2012) 'Contribution of Spores to the Ability of Clostridium difficile To Adhere to Surfaces' Applied and Environmental Microbiology 78, (21) 7671-7679 , DOI Open access
Drevinek P, Baldwin A, Lindenburg L, Joshi LT, Marchbank A, Vosahlikova S, Dowson CG & Mahenthiralingam E (2010) 'Oxidative Stress of <i>Burkholderia cenocepacia</i> Induces Insertion Sequence-Mediated Genomic Rearrangements That Interfere with Macrorestriction-Based Genotyping' Journal of Clinical Microbiology 48, (1) 34-40 , DOI Open access
Chapters
Joshi LT, Jones IA & Silver K (2022) 'Normal Microbial Flora' Encyclopedia of Infection and Immunity Elsevier 297-305 , DOI
Conference Papers
Toropov N, Osborne E, Joshi LT & Vollmer F (2021) 'Direct Single-Particle Detection and Sizes Recognition of Adenovirus with Whispering-Gallery Mode Resonances' Optical Sensors 1-/-0/2021OSA , DOI Open access
Patents
A screening method for the detection of Clostridium difficile. EP2847348B1
Presentations and posters
Waterfield S, Hutt L, Burky R & Joshi LT Waterfield S, Hutt L, Burky R & Joshi LT 'Isolation and characterization of Clostridioides difficile spores from contaminated single-used surgical gowns' , DOI Open access
Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

  • "The Threat of a Post-Antibiotic Era: The Next Global Pandemic?" May 2022. Invited Panel Expert, University of Oxford. With Dame Sally Davies (UK AMR Envoy) & Professor Mark Holmes (University of Cambridge)
  • “Innovation in Point of Care Diagnostics” Invited Expert. July 2021. The Royal Society & Academy of Medical Sciences Scientific meeting. Advances in antimicrobial innovation.
  • “Rise of Superbugs & COVID19” – Plymouth Probus Group. May 2020.
  • "Development of rapid diagnostics for infections" Invited. University of Surrey. Exploiting the Potential of Rapid Diagnostic Test Technology conference, May 2019.
  • "Rise of Superbugs" at Swansea University, Institute of Life Science, November 2019.
  • "Rise of Superbugs" at Plymouth Athenaeum, Plymouth October 2019.
  • "Antibiotic Resistance: Tackling an emerging problem". British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy South West. March 2019.
  • “Antimicrobial Resistance: Why is it important?” Invited Expert Panel Member, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Oct 2018.
  • "Science and the Assembly- Antimicrobial Resistance". Invited Expert Panel. Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance. Now and the Future. National Assembly of Wales, Royal Society of Chemistry, June 2017.

Conferences organised

  • Federation of Infection Societies Conferences 2021, 2022 and 2023 (Microbiology Society Sessions)- Conference Organising Group (COG)
  • Soapbox Science Plymouth – Organising Committee (2019- 2022)
  • Decolonising and Diversifying Biosciences Education Conference, Organising Committee; University of Cambridge, Dec 2022. 


Other academic activities

Media & Public Engagement:

I have strong engagement with the media in promoting the understanding of antimicrobial resistance and COVID-19. This includes newspaper articles, blogs, online social media, radio and national television. I provide expert commentaries via live broadcast on BBC Spotlight, BBC Radio Devon and BBC Radio Cornwall. My research and expertise has been featured and sought for in blogs, newspapers and international documentaries, including the "End of Medicine" directed by Alexander Lockwood, produced by Keegan Kuhn; Executive Producers Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.

Reports:

Additional information

I am a strong advocate for promoting STEM with the aim of encouraging interest in studying these subjects. I am part of "Inspiring the Future" and am a STEM Ambassador. I continue to mentor students with their prospective scientific career choices and am heavily involved in varying Women in Science mentorship schemes. I am interested in advancing equality across HE, specifically with regard to race equality (Race Equality Charter) and gender equality through the Athena Swan Charter. 

I am a Mentor in the Pardesi Mentorship Programme which supports South Asian Women globally. 

Links

PLymouth ANtimicrobial EngagemenT (PLANET) Initiative: Highlighting the issue of antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance.