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Conor Meehan

Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Nottingham Trent University
I am a molecular epidemiologist who looks at the transmission of bacteria and viruses between humans. My work focusses primarily on Mycobacterium tuberculosis but also on many other pathogens.

I graduated from NUI Maynooth, Ireland with a BSc in computational biology and genetics followed by a PhD in NUI Galway researching HIV transmission and drug resistance. I then undertook a 3 year postdoctoral fellowship in Dalhousie University, Canada looking at how bacteria swap their genetic material and how the human microbiome communities evolve. After this, in 2014 I joined the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium as a research fellow. There I led projects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogens of the same genus, mostly looking at their transmission in high burden countries and how best to use genomics to improve public health initiatives. I am now a senior lecturer in microbiology at Nottingham Trent University within the AROM microbiology group where my group looks at both the evolution of bacterial pathogens and human associated microbiomes.

Which infectious disease is likely to be the biggest emerging problem in 2025?

Dec 26, 2024 09:07 am UTC| Insights & Views Health

COVID emerged suddenly, spread rapidly and killed millions of people around the world. Since then, I think its fair to say that most people have been nervous about the emergence of the next big infectious disease be that...

Gut microbiome: meet Roseburia intestinalis — the energy-producing bacterium that helps us fight against disease

Mar 18, 2024 09:01 am UTC| Health

The hundreds of species of microorganisms that comprise the microbiome all have different, unique roles. One of the important functions that takes place in the gut is the production of short-chain fatty acids. These...

Economy

Apple’s 2nm Chips Skip iPhone 17 as TSMC Prepares 2026 Launch for iPhone 18

Apple has decided to wait until 2026 to incorporate TSMCs 2nm chips into the iPhone 18. The move bypasses the iPhone 17, as TSMC works on scaling its production to meet industry demands and cut costs. Apple Expected to...

Alibaba Partners with E-Mart in $4 Billion Deal to Strengthen South Korean Online Retail Leadership

In a $4 billion agreement, Alibaba Group and E-Mart are merging their South Korean e-commerce platforms, forming a joint venture to take full ownership of Gmarket. The deal positions the companies to compete with top...

Xiaomi Expands EV Charging Access Across China With NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto Networks

Xiaomi has joined the EV charging networks of NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto, giving its customers access to over 29,000 stations across China. The move marks a strategic step in bolstering Xiaomis EV business amid growing...

BYD Contractor Rejects 'Slavery-like Conditions' Accusations in Brazil as Labor Controversy Deepens

Jinjiang Group, a contractor for BYD, has denied accusations of mistreatment at a Brazilian EV factory, calling them baseless and pointing to cultural misunderstandings as tensions grow over worker rights. Jinjiang Denies...

Japan Airlines Faces Cyberattack Disruption with Over 60 Delayed Flights and Canceled Domestic Routes

Japan Airlines experienced significant disruptions on Thursday as a cyberattack led to over 60 flight delays, including 11 international routes, and two domestic cancellations. The airline quickly resolved the network...

Politics

Trump Flirts With Idea of Wayne Gretzky for Canada PM Suggests 'He'd Win Without Even Campaigning'

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House in 2025, he has recently caused a stir by floating the idea of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky running for prime minister of Canada. This unexpected...

Elon Musk Reveals Shocking Weight-Loss Secret Calls Himself Ozempic Santa and Stuns Fans

On Christmas Day, billionaire Elon Musk shocked his followers by sharing a revealing post about his weight-loss journey. Known for his outspoken personality, Musk posted a photo of himself dressed as Santa Claus on X,...

Fox Host Apologizes to John Fetterman Calls Him My Favorite Senator After Shocking Change of Heart

Fox News host Jesse Watters has taken the unexpected step of putting Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman on his nice list, surprising viewers with an apology for his past criticism. The conservative pundit, known for his...

Most Obamacare Applicants Live in Trump-Voting States Raising Concerns for the GOP

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains a vital healthcare source for millions of Americans, with a surprising number of participants hailing from states that voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. As of...

Marianne Williamson Vows to Rebuild DNC After Losses, Says 'We Must Reinvent the Party or Fall Behind'

On December 26, 2024, Marianne Williamson, a spiritual author and former presidential candidate, declared her candidacy for Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The 72-year-old author, best known for her...

Science

Public Health Experts Warn of ‘Quad-Demic’ as Flu, COVID, RSV, and Norovirus Threaten Winter Surge

Public health experts are raising alarms over a potential quad-demic this winter, with flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus all expected to surge simultaneously. This unprecedented convergence of...

Philippines' 'Missile Acquisition' Plan Provokes China's 'Arms Race' Warning

The Philippines has announced plans to acquire the U.S.-developed Typhon missile system to bolster its maritime defense capabilities. This decision has elicited strong reactions from China, which warns that such a move...

Christmas Eve Asteroid' to Skim Past Earth at 14,743 mph Tonight, NASA Warns

NASA has announced that an asteroid, comparable in size to a 10-story building, will make a close approach to Earth on Christmas Eve. The space rock, designated 2003 SD220, is expected to pass by our planet at a speed of...

Emergency Declared as Bird Flu 'Spreads' to California Dairy Cows

California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially declared a state of emergency in response to the rapidly escalating bird flu outbreak. The declaration comes after avian influenza was detected in dairy cows, a rare and...

Missing Radioactive Material in New Jersey Sparks Panic — Are Drones ‘Hunting for It’?

A small amount of radioactive material went missing in New Jersey earlier this month, raising concerns over public safety and potential security risks. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed on December 2,...

Technology

Nintendo Switch 2 Reveal Rumors Explode as Countdown Ending January 8 Fuels New Leaks

Nintendo Switch 2 speculation reaches new heights with a countdown set for January 8 and leaked dock images circulating online. Fans are eager but cautious as the buzz around the anticipated reveal grows. Weibo Leaker...

Sam Altman Says Superintelligence Will Ignite a 10X Boom in AI Breakthroughs Transforming the Future of Innovation

Sam Altman envisions a world where superintelligence propels AI innovation 10x faster than expected, transforming global progress and redefining humanitys future. Early Arrival of AGI Sparks Debate The most noteworthy is...

South Korea Eyes $13.9 Billion KSMC Project to Outpace TSMC and Reinvent Semiconductor Innovation

South Korea is developing KSMC with a $13.9 billion investment to challenge TSMC and foster innovation across its semiconductor ecosystem. KSMC Proposal Aims to Strengthen South Koreas Semiconductor Sector Korea...

Microsoft Steps Back from OpenAI Dependency in 365 Copilot with New AI Models Integration Strategy

Microsoft is reshaping its AI strategy for 365 Copilot by integrating in-house and third-party models, easing its reliance on OpenAI due to cost and speed concerns for enterprise users, according to sources. Microsoft...

BYD Factory in Brazil Faces Investigation as Chinese Workers Found in 'Slavery-like Conditions'

Brazilian officials discovered 163 Chinese workers in slavery-like conditions at a BYD factory construction site in Bahia. Workers faced withheld passports, long hours, and unsafe environments, sparking an ongoing...