I am an Iraqi Microbiologist who is currently working as a full-time Project Scientist within Dr Matt Gilmour’s group at the Quadram Institute. I am interested in the microbial traits of foodborne pathogens and their significant risk and biofilm formation under real-world conditions in food processing environments.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Wassit, Iraq where I achieved a 1st class scientific performance (one of the top 5 graduated students). As a result, I was nominated and awarded a full scholarship to study in the UK. I studied my MPhil at Plymouth University and graduated in 2014. My research during my master focused on the antibacterial activity of organic acids and natural extracts against selected foodborne pathogens.

I have been working at the Quadram Institute since November 2018, with several groups, offering support on diverse projects in the Microbes and Food Safety (MFS) ISP as well as commercial projects and food surveys. Prior to joining the Institute, I worked as a Research Assistant at Plymouth University, and later moved to work in Swansea University, UK.

In parallel, I am working on my part-time PhD with Professor Mark Webber, which I started in November 2024 at the University of East Anglia, UK. I investigate the role of Pseudomonas species in mixed species biofilms including Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium. I explores the potential benefit that Pseudomonas species can offer in mixed microbial communities and the mechanism of microbial interactions within biofilms.