University of Birmingham clinical research fellow Dr Mark Webber and NIHR SRMRC clinical scientist Fenella Halstead.
Birmingham based microbiologist awarded PhD
University of Birmingham clinical research fellow Dr Mark Webber and NIHR SRMRC clinical scientist Fenella Halstead.
Birmingham based microbiologist Fenella Halstead has recently been awarded her PhD for her work looking into novel topical antimicrobials for wound care.
Fenella, a clinical scientist with the NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, carried out all of her laboratory work in the IMI (institute of Microbiology and Infection) at the University of Birmingham, under the supervision of Dr Mark Webber. However, due to not meeting eligibility requirements, her PhD was undertaken with the University of Warwick, and Dr Nick Waterfield
Fenella chose to do her PhD by publication using her papers from the following studies:
- Antimicrobial Dressings
- SurgiHoney
- Blue Light
- Acetic Acid
After spending years working on these studies Fenella decided to apply (as a self-funded PhD student) for her PhD using the extensive work she had already done. Once she was accepted it took her a year to complete and after her 3 ½ hours viva voce (grilling) she was informed she had passed. After a few minor corrections, she will be officially awarded her PhD.
Fenella said: “I am over the moon to be honest. It was a lot of hard work, not just the PhD itself but balancing it alongside being a mother and working at the same time. But it was something I really wanted to do so I put the hours in and did it. I wanted to put my papers into something worthwhile and to use them as part of my PhD was perfect.
“I really want to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped me and especially to Dr Mark Webber who was instrumental to the whole thing.”
