Dr Maria Diaz

Researcher

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Listeria and other invasive pathogens

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I am a Research Scientist in the ‘Microbes and Food Safety’ program at Quadram Institute Bioscience in Norwich, UK. My research focuses on the microbial ecosystems present in food and food processing environments, with an emphasis on how these populations interact to persist and impact food safety and quality.

As a key member of Dr Matthew Gilmour’s research group, I investigate the microbial traits of Listeria monocytogenes to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to its resilience and risk in food processing settings. My work extends to studying Listeria’s interactions with other microbial communities, highlighting the factors that enable its survival and proliferation in challenging environments.

I collaborate closely with industry partners to tackle real-world challenges in food safety and quality. By utilising genomics and metagenomics tools, I identify spoilage microorganisms and provide actionable findings to improve food production processes.

My academic background includes extensive experience in characterising the microbiota of traditional fermented foods and identifying spoilage bacteria in traditional dairy products. This expertise enriches my understanding of microbial dynamics in diverse food systems, making me a valuable collaborator for advancing knowledge and innovation in food microbiology.

Diaz M, Wilson N, Ponsero AJ, Seecharran T, Som N, Al-Khanaq H, Gutierrez AV, Gilmour M. (2026)

Microbial community succession and functional potential during processing and storage of cooked ham assessed by shotgun metagenomics

Food Microbiology


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Omelchenko O, Diaz M, Gutierrez A, Webber MA, Wilson N, Gilmour M. (2026)

Food safety culture and the control of microbial communities in food production environments.

npj antimicrobials and resistance


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Gutiérrez AV, Matthews M, Diaz M, Le Viet T, de Oliveira Martins L, Jørgensen F, Aird H, Painset A, Som N, Omelchenko O, Adriaenssens EM, Kingsley RA, Gilmour MW. (2025)

Population structure and gene flux of Listeria monocytogenes ST121 reveal prophages as a candidate driver of adaptation and persistence in food production environments.

Microbial genomics


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Diaz M, Aird H, Le Viet T, Gutierrez AV, Larke-Mejia N, Omelchenko O, Moragues-Solanas L, Fritscher J, Som N, McLauchlin J, Hildebrand F, Jørgensen F, Gilmour M. (2024)

Microbial composition and dynamics in environmental samples from a ready-to-eat food production facility with a long-term colonization of Listeria monocytogenes

Food Microbiology


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Atter A, Diaz M, Tano-Debrah K, Parry-Hanson Kunadu A, Mayer MJ, Sayavedra L, Misita C, Amoa-Awua W, Narbad . (2024)

The predominant lactic acid bacteria and yeasts involved in the spontaneous fermentation of millet during the production of the traditional porridge Hausa koko in Ghana

BMC Microbiology


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Page AJ, Mather AE, Le Viet T, Meader EJ, Alikhan NF, Kay GL, de Oliveira Martins L, Aydin A, Baker DJ, Trotter AJ, Rudder S, Tedim AP, Kolyva A, Stanley R, Yasir M, Diaz M, Potter W, Stuart C, Meadows L, Bell A, Gutierrez AV, Thomson NM, Adriaenssens EM, Swingler T, Gilroy RAJ, Griffith L, Sethi DK, Aggarwal D, Brown CS, Davidson RK, Kingsley RA, Bedford L, Coupland LJ, Charles IG, Elumogo N, Wain J, Prakash R, Webber MA, Smith SJL, Chand M, Dervisevic S, O'Grady J. (2021)

Large-scale sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 genomes from one region allows detailed epidemiology and enables local outbreak management.

Microbial genomics


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