Superbugs Lab

Current Members

Dr Siouxsie Wiles (MNZM)

Dr Siouxsie Wiles (she/her) is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Auckland and a Deputy Director of Te Pūnaha Matatini, a Centre of Research Excellence. She studied medical microbiology at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD in microbiology at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Oxford. Siouxsie began her academic career working at Imperial College London, before relocating to Aotearoa New Zealand as a Health Research Council Hercus Fellow in 2009. Her commitment to the ethical use of animals in research has won her the inaugural UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) prize in 2005 and the New Zealand National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) 3Rs prize in 2011. 

Siouxsie is the science correspondent for RNZ’s Nine to Noon programme and writes a fortnightly science column for Stuff. She has worked with Australian animator Luke Harris to make short animations about glowing creatures like fireflies and glow worms, and recently made a kids show about microbiology with her daughter Eve and Damian Christie from the Aotearoa Science Agency. In 2017 she published her first book, ‘Antibiotic resistance: the end of modern medicine?’. Siouxsie has won numerous prizes for her science communication efforts, including the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize and the Royal Society Te Apārangi’s Callaghan Medal. She was named a Blake Leader by the Blake Trust in 2016 and was one of three finalists for the 2018 Kiwibank New Zealander of Year award. In 2019 Siouxsie was appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to microbiology and science communication.

Yiwei Diao

Hi, I’m Yiwei. I’m from Beijing, China. I am a research technician. I’m working on the fungi project trying to induce new antibiotic compounds by using epigenetic modifiers to awoke silent metabolism pathways in the fungi. If I had to choose a superpower it would be like Bruce Wayne–super-rich. Photography, videography, astrophotography, and woodwork are the things I put most of my time into after work.

Zakieh Vahdati

I’m Zakieh and I am originally from a small town in northeast of Iran. I am a PhD student and currently characterizing the immune response of my insect model, Galleria mellonella, against non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. My favourite superheroes are the Flash and green arrow. If I was to choose to have a superpower it would be the sixth sense or extrasensory perception.

Daniel Mulholland

Hi, I’m Daniel and I’m from Wellington. I’m doing a PhD co-culturing NZ fungi with bacteria to try to induce new antibiotics. My favourite villain is Mr. Burns from the Simpsons. If I could choose any superpower it would be omniscience. 

Priyali Patel

Hi, I’m Priyali and I grew up in Auckland. I’m doing a PhD in bacterial evolution.My favourite superhero is Black Widow. If I could have superpowers I would bean empath.

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Alex Grey

Hi, I’m Alex and I come from Whangaparaoa. I completed my Master’s degree in the Bioluminescent Superbugs Lab screening native New Zealand fungi for compounds that kill pathogenic mycobacteria and am continuing this work as a research technician. My favourite superhero series is Watchmen.

Shara van de Pas

Hello, I’m Shara and I come from the small rural town of Morrinsville, the one with all the statues of cows. I am currently working as a research technician on the fungi project trying to find new antimicrobials to help save the world from antibiotic resistance. In my spare time, I like to watch movies, tv-series, play games, bake, look after my carnivorous plants and make things! My favourite superheroes would probably be the Green Arrow and Scarlet Witch.

Aimee Daum

Hi, I’m Aimee and I grew up in Auckland. My Honours project is investigating biofilms on menstrual cupsand how best to remove them. My favourite superheroes are Captain America and Shuri (BlackPanther’s sister). If I could have a superpower it would be teleportation, so I could travel without longhaul flights and airfares (and stop taking buses that are never on time).

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Judy Zheng

Hi, I’m Judy and I’ve lived in Auckland for most of my life. My Masters project involves trying to induce fungi to produce antibacterial compounds using bacterial components. While my favourite superhero is Iron Man, I have to say my love for anime wins above all.

Lab Alumni

Dr Hannah Read

I’m Hannah and I have a PhD in Molecular Medicine. I have worked on a variety of projects, including starting the Evolution Project for my PhD, and have worked with several different animal models, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis mouse infections in our PC3 lab. In my spare time, I enjoy creative hobbies to give my analytical brain a break.I also value giving back to the community, and volunteer at Youthline.

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