Hajar AlQadeeb

Background

I am a PhD student at the institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sceinces at the University of Liverpool. I completed my Master degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Massachusetts (MA, United State) on a research project investigating S.aureus and E.coli  resistance and sensitivity to cleaning agents and disinfectants. Prior to that I earned my Bachelor degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Research project

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium, leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis in high-income countries and is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Neonatal GBS invasive disease can occur during the first week of life through colonised mother during delivery. 

In my project, we seek to further understand the pathogenesis of GBS disease and dissect the role of novel key virulence factors. Special emphasis will be placed on the contribution of maternal rectovaginal colonisation to GBS disease.