I am a PostDoctoral Research Scientist at the Institute. My research interests include how pathogenic bacteria evolve, how they are transmitted and how they develop resistance to antibiotics. I completed my PhD at Massey University in 2017, studying the evolution and transmission of bacterial enteritis agents over the course of outbreaks.

In my current role, I use whole-genome sequencing to investigate the sources and spread of pathogenic and commensal bacteria, and the reservoirs and transfer of antimicrobial resistance in the food chain.

Key Publications

Bloomfield, S.J., Benschop, J., Biggs, P.J., Marshall, J.C., Hayman, D.T.S., Carter, P.E., Midwinter, A.C., Mather, A.E., French, N.P., 2017. Genomic analysis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT160 associated with a 14-year outbreak, New Zealand, 1998-2012. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 23, 906–913. doi:10.3201/eid2306.161934

Bloomfield, S.J., Midwinter, A.C., Biggs, P.J., French, N.P., Marshall, J.C., Hayman, D.T.S., Carter, P.E., Thornley, C., Yap, R., Benschop, J., 2018. Long-term colonization by Campylobacter jejuni within a human host: evolution, antimicrobial resistance, and adaptation. J. Infect. Dis. 217, 103–111. doi:10.1093/infdis/jix561