Sareen Galbraith

Dr. Sareen Galbraith is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Leeds Beckett University's School of Health, specializing in molecular virology of RNA viruses. Her research focuses on flaviviruses and alphaviruses, particularly their interactions with mammalian hosts and vector competence of British mosquitoes under climate change.

• Key Research Areas: Molecular pathogenesis of RNA viruses, autophagy in viral infections, zoonotic virus detection (Hantaviruses, flaviviruses), and vector-borne disease epidemiology.
• Teaching: Lecturer for BSc modules including Microbial World, Infectious Disease, and Global Topics in Infectious Diseases, plus MSc modules on Bioanalytical Techniques and Contemporary Research in Biomedical Sciences.
• Collaborations: Works with Public Health England (NIHR-funded Hantavirus studies), Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (BBSRC-funded mosquito competence studies), and University of East Anglia (autophagy research with Prof. Tom Wileman's lab).
• Viral Discovery: Identified new Hantavirus strain (Humber) and clarified Japanese encephalitis virus genotypes through molecular phylogenetics.

Scientific Impact: Research informs clinical guidelines for zoonotic virus detection and therapeutic development for flavivirus encephalitis. Leads multidisciplinary studies at UK containment level 3 insect facilities.