After graduating from my undergraduate degree at Cardiff University in 2004, I began an MSc in Medical and Clinical Microbiology with a project involving the use of iron protoporphyrin IX as an endogenous photosensitiser in photodynamic therapy. Following this, I spent a year working in a semi-automated category 3 prion laboratory before completing a PhD in the microbiology research group with Prof. Andrew McBain, which aimed to determine variations in the nasal microbiota of healthy volunteers and those presenting with chronic rhinosinusitis. 

For several years, I worked as a postdoctoral research associate within the school of pharmacy with the aim of developing and validating an in vitro biofilm model representative of the healthy human throat that could be used for the analysis of the ecological effects of novel antimicrobials and probiotics on the host microbiota. This research also led to the discovery of a number of previously unclassified oropharyngeal bacteria.    

I am currently a research lecturer in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) where I teach pharmaceutical microbiology (MPharm). For several years, I taught on the PGT MSc in medical microbiology, for which I was also the programme co-director. At present, I teach solely on the Pharmacy MPharm, where I cover aspects of infectious diseases as well as antimicrobial treatment and resistance.

Division of Pharmacy and Optometry (Pharmacy MPharm)

First year

The Patient (PHAR 10300) - Introduction to Human Biology

The Public (PHAR 10400)  - Public Health Microbiology

Second year

The Pharmacist (PHAR 20200) - Aseptic dispensing

The Public (PHAR 20400) - Infectious diseases 

Fourth Year

Medicines into Practice (PHAR 40100) - Treatment and pathogenesis of microbial diseases (sub unit lead)

Medical microbiology (MSc) - Previous commitments

Taught Modules

Understanding Infection (MEDN68621) - Unit Lead

Antimicrobials and Infection Control (MEDN68652) - Unit Lead

Molecular Diagnostics (MEDN68631) 

Microbiology Dissertation (MEDN68680)

Affiliated Staff:

Dr Andrew McBain

Dr Ruth Ledder

Collaborators:

Mr Kanna Gnanalingham - Consultant Neurosurgeon, SRFT

• In vitro bacterial modelling (e.g. CDFF and CDC reactors)
• Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
• Environmental microbiology
• Next generation sequencing and data analysis (QIIME, phyloseq)

BSc (Hons), Microbiology - University of Cardiff

MSc (dist), Medical and Clinical Microbiology - Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Ph.D - University of Manchester

SFHEA - Higher Education Academy (University of Manchester) 

Humphreys, G. (2018). Best before dates and the microbiology of tinned food. The One Show, BBC1. Testing of tinned goods that are past the best before date for the presence of viable bacteria. Interview with Matt Allwright. 

Humphreys, G., McBain, A. (2016). Should I wear sports clothes from natural or synthetic fabric? Trust Me I'm a Doctor, BBC2. Involvement in experiment and TV interview relating to the role of clothing fabric type on the development of body odour.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2ktnl9Sw6JqdNzHtjDhRJQF/should-i-wear-sports-clothes-from-natural-or-synthetic-fabric

Humphreys, G., Forbes, S., Freeman, S. (2015). From Bugs to Drugs Halloween Edition. The University of Manchester Science Spectacular, Manchester Science Festival. Public engagement activity stand set within the Whitworth Hall as part of Manchester Science Festival. Activities aimed to introduce members of the public to microscopy and drug design with a key focus on the rising problem of antibiotic resistance. This theme was overlapped with the European Antibiotic Awareness Day and Antibiotic Guardian pledges, the latter developed by Public Health England.

Humphreys, G., Forbes, S., Freeman, S. (2014). From Bugs to Drugs. The University of Manchester Science Spectacular, Manchester Science Festival. Public engagement activity stand set within the Whitworth Hall as part of Manchester Science Festival. Activities aimed to introduce members of the public to microscopy and drug design with a key focus on infection control via handwashing using GloGerm as a visual tool for effective handwashing and aseptic technique. 

Humphreys, G., Latimer, J. (2011). The microbiology of the human body. Guerrilla Science, Bestival music festival, Isle of White. A presentation on the commensal microbiota of human kind. This complemented the Microbial Zoo, an exhibition of agar plates demonstrating the culturable bacteria that reside within the body. The microbial zoo was designed and constructed at the University of Manchester by the Manchester Pharmacy School microbiology research group. All work was conducted as part of the Wellcome trusts ‘Dirt’ season.

Humphreys, G. (2011). Help! I’m Infected. Guerrilla Science, Bestival music festival, Isle of White. A Pecha Kucha presentation describing the bacterial infections that can afflict the human body. Conducted as part of the Wellcome trusts ‘Dirt’ season.