Research Interests
Open to PhD applications in the fields of infection biology and cellular/molecular microbiology from anybody that can enjoy adventure and exploration without caring about being frustrated from time to time, wonders how it feels to discover something new, doesn't like the routine of a life without excitement, and would like to explore the fascinating world of microbiology even if not a microbiologist.
Public outreach & key achievements
International leader in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biogenesis, bacterial protein glycosylation, and the molecular and cellular pathogenesis of difficult-to-treat opportunistic Gram-negative bacteria with more than 215 publications, who has mentored over 300 trainees at all levels and received the Supervisor Excellence Award from Queen's University (QUB) in 2017.
Valvano's research has identified several candidate genes and proteins to develop novel antimicrobials based on the inhibition of LPS biosynthesis and the use of protein glycosylation to develop novel antibacterial vaccines. Before arriving to QUB in 2012, Valvano held a Tier I Canada Research Chair for 10 years and multiple awards (e.g., Canadian Society of Microbiologists; Cystic Fibrosis Canada).
He joined the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) and developed a multi-faceted research programme (>£8M in funding in the past 3-4 years) funded by BBSRC, MRC, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Horizon2020 and the Irish North-South programme.
He co-leads a vaccine development training network, AIVRT, funded by the Irish High Education Authority North-South Research programme and is involved in spinouts VacTimmune and InVsec.
Valvano is an Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and has held visitig Professorships in the Universities of Grenoble (France), Naples (Italy), Pavia (Italy), Wroclaw (Poland) and Andres Bello (Chile).
Research students
| PhD Title | Characterisation of the Enterobacter bugandensis type VI secretion system in microbial antagonism |
| Name | Amy Anderson |
| Years of Study | 2022 - 2025 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| PhD Title | Novel T cell based vaccines against ESKAPE pathogens globally |
| Name | Paulina Zarodkiewicz |
| Years of Study | 2020 - 2024 |
| Country | Ireland |
| PhD Title | Cellular Microbiology of Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens of Achromobacter and Enterobacter species |
| Name | Hannah Parks |
| Years of Study | 2023 - 2025 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
Alumni: Where are they now
| Name | Angel Andrade |
| Years of Study | 2011 - 2015 |
| Current Position | Associate Professor, Universidad de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico |
| Name | Omar El-Halfawy |
| Years of Study | 2010 - 2014 |
| Current Position | Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Regina, Canada |
| Name | Amal Amer |
| Years of Study | 1997, 2002 |
| Current Position | Professor, Ohio State University, USA |
Discover More
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine
- Infection Biology Group
- Research Team