Jaclyn Pearson

Dr. Jaclyn Pearson is a Lecturer and Researcher at the University of St Andrews, School of Medicine, within the Division of Infection and Global Health. She holds a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Melbourne (2013), where she was awarded prestigious prizes for her doctoral work. Her research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, particularly mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella evade the immune system and cause disease. She has led independent research groups at institutions such as the Peter Doherty Institute and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, and currently directs postgraduate research within her school, supporting early-career researchers.

Her work spans bacterial pathogenesis, immune evasion strategies, and cell death pathways. Notable achievements include uncovering novel immune evasion mechanisms published in Nature and Nature Microbiology. She has received multiple awards, including the L'Oreal Women in Science Fellowship and the Victorian Premier’s Award. Her recent publications (2022–2025) highlight advancements in understanding bacterial effector proteins, norovirus-induced apoptosis, and genetic polymorphisms impacting cell death regulation.

Dr. Pearson actively engages in mentorship, supervising PhD students like Sophie Appleyard and Muge Cevik. She has held leadership roles in research groups and continues to advocate for early-career researchers through motivational talks and professional development initiatives.