- C505, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584493
- tina.joshi@plymouth.ac.uk

Profiles
Dr Tina Joshi
Associate Professor of Molecular Microbiology
Peninsula Dental School (Faculty of Health)
- Microbiology
- Infectious disease
- Molecular biology
- Disinfection
- Antibiotic resistance
- Pathogens
- Diagnostics
- Experimental methods
- Laboratory methods
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
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 several 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 international expert in Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and my knowledge exchange and policy activities contribute to help policy makers, governments, NGOs 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, microbial transmission and AMR in local, national and international media. I sit on the Microbiology Society Council and Co-Chair the Impact & Influence Committee. Here I am able to support microbiologists across the globe and influence policy at national and international levels; I am a key contributor to the design of the "Knocking Out AMR" project for the Microbiology Society. I am Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Medical Microbiology and I also sit the Science Committee Board of Antibiotic Research UK where I act as an expert AMR scientific adviser. I also act as a grant reviewer for UKRI and other bodies.
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:
- In 2022 I was Highly Commended for the Asian Woman of Achievement Award in Science
- In 2022 I was Highly Commended for "Creative Teacher of the Year" & "Inspirational Teacher of the Year" at the UPSU SSTAR Awards
- In 2021 I was a Highly Commended Finalist for the 2021 Top 50 Women in Engineering: Engineering Heroes, Womens Engineering Society
- In 2021 I was selected as one of Devon Live's 50 Inspiring Women in Devon for my COVID19 & AMR Expert media work
- In 2020 I was a Finalist as "Most Innovative Teacher of the Year" at the national Times Higher Education Awards (THE2020)
- In 2020 I was Winner of "Inspirational Teaching Award" & "Most Effective Feedback" UPSU SSTAR Awards for the Faculty of Health.
- In 2019 I was a Finalist as an "Inspirational Woman in STEMM" at the regional Devon and Cornwall Venus Awards
- In 2018 I was awarded the Hind Rattan "Jewel of India" Award from the Indian Government (Non-Resident Indian Welfare Society of India) for diasporal achievements in research and academia within the UK.
- In 2016 I won the "Best Business Plan" at Biocity Sparks Accelerator Programme for BioTech Business Science Start- Ups
- In 2015 I was a Finalist at the "SET for Britain Awards" (now STEM for Britain) for my research into novel point- of care, low footprint microwave-based AMR Diagnostic devices
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, European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease.
Roles on external bodies
External Committees
Microbiology Society:
- Chair of Federation of Infection Societies (FIS)
- "Knocking Out AMR" Project Co-Chair
Highlights
Key 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.
- 2022 Highly Commended for "Creative Teacher of the Year" & "Inspirational Teacher of the Year" UPSU SSTAR Awards
- 2020 Winner of "Inspirational Teaching Award" & "Most Effective Feedback" UPSU SSTAR Awards for the Faculty of Health.
- 2020 National Shortlisted Finalist for "Most Innovative Teacher of the Year" at The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2020.
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
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)
Grants & contracts
R&D Solutions Fund: Imaging The Growth of Anaerobic Subgingival Biofilms in a Simulation of in vivo conditions. Co-PI with Professor Mathew Upton.
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
Key publications are highlighted
JournalsPersonal
Personal
Reports & invited lectures
"Aligning communications for AMR" Invited Expert Speaker. World AMR Congress 2023, Philadelphia, USA. September 2023.
"Innovative Teaching in Clinical Microbiology: The Pandemic & Beyond" Teaching Symposium, Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2023; Invited Keynote.
- "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:
- “A Sustainable Future: Antimicrobial Resistance Policy Report” 2020 Microbiology Society (AMR Advisory Group contributor)