Rebecca Shears

Rebecca Shears is a Senior Lecturer in Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Course Leader for the BSc Biological Science degree at Staffordshire University's Health, Science and Wellbeing school. She holds a PhD in parasitology/immunology from the University of Manchester and a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology from the same institution. Her research focuses on infection and immunology, particularly the interaction between pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and host immune systems. She explores how environmental factors like air pollution influence respiratory infections and investigates vaccine design for parasitic worms.

• Education:
  • PhD: 'Defining the host protective antigens secreted by the murine whipworm Trichuris muris' (University of Manchester)
  • BSc (Hons): Microbiology (University of Manchester)

Her research interests include the impact of helminth co-infections on bacterial pathogenesis, the role of air pollutants in enhancing pneumococcal disease severity, and developing novel vaccine strategies against parasitic helminths. She actively supervises student research and lectures on biological/biomedical science courses, emphasizing skill development for future careers.

Her publications highlight contributions to understanding respiratory bacterial infections, cytokine regulation in Staphylococcus aureus infections, and the interplay between environmental factors and immune responses. Current projects at Staffordshire University labs investigate vaccine candidates for parasitic worms and the synergistic effects of air pollution on respiratory infections.

• Professional Memberships:
  • British Society of Immunology
  • Microbiology Society Affiliate
  • Royal Society of Biology
  • Higher Education Academy Associate Fellow

Teaching contributions include course leadership for the BSc Biological Science program and supervision of undergraduate/postgraduate research projects. She advocates for student development through hands-on research opportunities and interdisciplinary learning.