Frances Colles

Dr Frances Colles is a Departmental Lecturer in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Oxford, holding a Stipendiary Lectureship at Hertford College. Her research focuses on Campylobacter ecology, particularly its colonization dynamics in poultry and transmission pathways to humans. Key areas include understanding how flock behavior and welfare impact Campylobacter prevalence, developing genomic tools for pathogen tracking, and identifying on-farm interventions to reduce contamination.

Research interests emphasize microbial genomics, zoonotic pathogen transmission, and food safety. Her work combines molecular biology, mathematical modeling, and field studies to address public health challenges. Notable contributions include demonstrating wild birds' limited role in poultry contamination and revealing age-related colonization patterns in broiler breeders.

Publications span machine learning applications in microbiology, antibiotic resistance trends, and Campylobacter population dynamics. Awards include State Registration as a Biomedical Scientist and HEA Associate Fellowship. Her work bridges fundamental biology with applied agricultural and clinical research, aiming to reduce human disease burden through evidence-based strategies.