Lily Novak Frazer

Overview

I lecture and helped to coordinate the MSc Medical Mycology programme (2013-17) at Wythenshawe Hospital. I also have undergraduate teaching (Microbiology tutotrials, Dental School EBLs, Y2 dissertations) and post-graduate research supervisory (Medical Microbiology and Clinincal Immunology MSc and School of Biological Sciences PhD students) responsibilities.

My research work involves developing, facilitating and implementing Molecular Diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of fungal infections within the Trust. We have implemented a new Aspergillus PCR for the detection of invasive and chronic aspergillosis. We are testing a new sequencing assay to determine whether patient samples contain Aspergillus isolates resistant to triazole drugs. We will be testing and implementing qPCR tests for Candida spp. and Pneumocystis jirovecii (PCP). I also have a sustained interest in Candida and mixed fungal/bacterial biofilms, including wound, vaginitis and cystic fibrosis (CF) models.

Biography

I pursued my first two degrees (BSc and MSc) at the University of Toronto, Canada, specialising in mycology, microbiology and plant pathology along with a joint degree in Chemistry.

I emigrated to Manchester, UK in 1990 to pursue PhD studies at the Victoria University of Manchester. Having gained a PhD in Mycology with Dr David Moore, I worked for a technology company spin-out of my PhD work, then another biotechnology company whose main activity was land bioremediation. I took 2 years off for maternity leave before returning to a post-doctoral position at the University of Manchester in Dr Ray O''Keefe''s laboratory where my research involved the regulatory GTPase, Snu114, and other proteins involved in pre-mRNMA splicing in the yeast model, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Following another post-doctoral contract, I left his laboratory and joined Dr Riina Richardson''s laboratory based at Wythenshawe Hospital. I have worked on various medical fungi, from Candida spp. to Aspergillus spp., developing diagnostic tools in the process, as well as other medical microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other infectious disease conditions. In addition, I developed an in vitro Candida biofilm model which demonstrates the potential carcinogenicity by acetaldehyde production during biofilm development and has been used for gene expression studies.

I taught and coordinated the MSc Medical Mycology programme from 2013-17. I now coordinate the Infection and Immunity Unit of the Clinical Immunology Masters programme and undertake a range of undergraduate teaching and post-graduate research student supervisory roles.