Jake Parkes

I am a current MRC-DTP PhD candidate at the University of Manchester. My research is focussed on immune reactions towards bacteriophage therapy targeted at bacterial pathogens, specifically focussing on antimicrobial resistance. 

Previously, I attended the University of Salford and awarded 1st Class Honours BSc in Human Biology and Infectious Diseases, and subsequently attained an MSc by Research in Biological Sciences. My research at this time had a specific focus in Microbiology, uncoverring antimicrobial resistance mechanisms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a result of exposure to clinically relevant antibiotics prescribed for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP), aswell as generally considered for ICU-based conditions. As part of this work, I had the opportunity to present a poster at the annual British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) conference in 2019. 

Following my academic pursuits, I have previously worked in both clinical and academic environments. Examples of this include; working as an intern Research Technician within the Fildes Group in MCCIR (now known as the Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology and Inflammation), an Associate Practitioner in Microbiology at Salford Royal Foundation Trust, and recently, a Research Technician at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The latter was focussed on aiding research within molecular diagnostics relating to SARS-CoV-2 and MPOX.

I am interested in conducting research within the fields of Microbiology, Virology and Microbiomics. In future, I hope to continue pursuing research within these fields, with further focus into how climate change will affect transmission of pathogenic agents, and ways to mitigate, prevent and treat conditions relating to such.