Elizabeth O'Gara

Dr. Elizabeth O'Gara is a Professor and Head of Department of Biomedical Science and Physiology at the Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton. With a career spanning over two decades, she has held multiple leadership roles including Head of Employability and Head of Quality for the Faculty, focusing on curriculum development, professional accreditation, and student outcome optimization.

• Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology (University of Wolverhampton)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
• BSc Applied Biology (Trent Polytechnic)

Her research focuses on antimicrobial phytotherapeutics, with specific interest in plant extract efficacy against pathogenic bacteria through mechanisms like biofilm disruption, toxin inhibition, and motility suppression. She also leads in vitro modeling of bacterial environmental niches to inform therapeutic strategies.

Recent publications highlight her multidisciplinary work across food microbiology, antimicrobial synergy, and education innovation. Her studies on essential oil combinations against pathogens in dairy products and burn wounds demonstrate practical applications of her research.

• Prize for best poster in microbiology section (IBMS 2013 and 2011)

O'Gara contributes to quality assurance on institutional and national levels, including QAA benchmark statement advisory work. She maintains active teaching roles in medical microbiology and professional skills development while managing departmental academic provision and student experience initiatives.