Beyond the Biofilm: From Chef to Scientist

James at the NexaBiome laboratories.

Ultimately, what had been a passing interest in science, had turned into a desire to return to education and really get to understand more about the world we live in. I went to college and gained the grades needed to access uni, thanks to the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). I obtained my undergraduate degree in microbiology and pharmacology, my master’s in microbiology, and now I am a PhD student and an active researcher at GCU.

Scotland, like many other countries, has a rich history of innovation, scientific discovery and invention, and that’s always been in the background for me. What really made a difference, though, was discovering that there were practical routes back into education for someone who hadn’t followed a traditional academic path.

Finding the SWAP course was a key turning point. It showed me that moving from a professional kitchen into a science degree wasn’t unrealistic or out of reach. That opportunity, and the support that came with it, gave me the confidence and credentials to study microbiology at university and eventually progress to a PhD.

Advancing Women’s Health Through Biofilm Research

My research focuses on bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal condition where communities of different bacterial species form structured biofilms on the vaginal lining. These polymicrobial biofilms allow bacteria to support each other and respond differently to treatment, making standard antibiotics less effective and BV more likely to recur.

Working within health and infection biology, with strong links to women’s health and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), my project has two main strands: isolating bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, that can target key members of these biofilm communities, and investigating whether existing drugs can be repurposed to treat BV-associated biofilms more effectively. The goal is to develop treatment options that precisely target the bacteria driving these communities and support a healthier vaginal microbiome.

Because biofilms help BV-associated bacteria tolerate antibiotics and other stresses, they contribute to treatment failure and high recurrence rates. By testing bacteriophages and repurposed drugs against biofilm-grown bacteria in the lab, I aim to weaken these communities, improve antibiotic effectiveness, and reduce the need for repeated courses that can drive antimicrobial resistance.

I would be delighted if my work, even in a small way, helped close the knowledge gap around BV: what drives it, why it comes back so often, and how best to treat it. BV is very common, can be distressing, and is linked to wider health risks, yet current treatments are limited and recurrence rates are high. By better understanding BV biofilms and testing new ways to target them, I hope to contribute to safer, more effective, and more sustainable treatment options for people affected by BV.

It is still very early days, so I would not claim a breakthrough yet, but I am starting to build the tools I need. I am developing laboratory models of BV-associated biofilms that let me test both bacteriophages and potential repurposed drugs in a controlled way. As the project progresses, an exciting outcome would be to identify a lytic phage with realistic therapeutic potential, or an existing drug that can be repurposed to make BV biofilms more vulnerable to antibiotics and easier to clear.

Inclusion Amid Social and Political Challenges

I have generally been quite fortunate and haven’t often felt directly excluded because of my background or identity. The main barrier I’ve faced has been related to learning; I have a specific learning difficulty (dyslexia) that only really came to light when I returned to study as an adult. This experience has made me more aware of the importance of accessibility and flexibility in science education and training.

Reasonable adjustments for my dyslexia, such as extra time and accessible learning materials, have made a big difference. Just as important has been the understanding and flexibility of colleagues, supervisors, and lecturers across the institutions I’ve been part of.

One challenge is that wider political and social trends in some places are moving away from inclusion and toward increased polarisation and mistrust of science, which makes EDI work harder and more fragile. Within the biofilm community, there is still progress to be made in making opportunities, events, and collaborations more accessible and representative of the wider global community. At the same time, I am fortunate to work in a diverse and supportive team at GCU, which shows how much stronger biofilm research can be when different perspectives are included.

I would like institutions to stick to their commitments on diversity and inclusion and not step back when wider social or political trends become less supportive. Clear policies are important, but what matters most is consistent action, even when it is not easy or universally popular.

Mentorship, Training, and Growth

I’ve been supported by many great teachers, supervisors, and colleagues rather than a single mentor. They’ve helped me build confidence, navigate key decisions, and see a place for myself in research when that didn’t always feel obvious.

The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) has played a major role in supporting my development as a researcher. I am part-funded through their Doctoral Training Centre in Biofilms Innovation, Technology, and Engineering (BITE), alongside additional support from industrial partner NexaBiome, which together have given me the stability and structure to focus on my PhD and connect with a wider community of biofilm researchers across the UK. 

Through NBIC, I’ve been able to attend specialist biofilm training courses, bioinformatics workshops, and science communication through public engagement events. These opportunities have not only built my technical skills but also helped me learn how to talk about biofilms and antimicrobial resistance with very different audiences, from experts to school pupils.

Shaping the Future of Biofilm Science

I’m very focused on completing my current research and taking every opportunity to develop my skills as I do so. In the longer term, I hope to stay in research related to infection, biofilms, and women’s health, whether that is in academia, industry, or a collaborative space between the two.

What excites me most is working in a field that is moving so quickly. Our understanding of BV is changing, including growing evidence about the role of sexual transmission and male partners, and how that might reshape prevention and treatment. New approaches such as Lactin-V, a vaginal probiotic containing a specific Lactobacillus crispatus strain to help restore a healthier microbiome after antibiotics, show how treatments are starting to move beyond “kill the bacteria” and towards supporting a more stable, protective community. Altogether, this makes the future of BV and biofilm research feel very active and hopeful.

I am also motivated by being part of a wider scientific effort to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Biofilms are a major part of that story, because they make infections harder to treat in humans, animals, and the environment. Working on biofilm-focused approaches in BV feels connected to a broader One Health perspective, where improving how we prevent and manage biofilm-associated infections can contribute, in a small but real way, to reducing antibiotic use and preserving the effectiveness of the drugs we rely on.

Find out more

If you are interested in learning more about Jamie’s work and would like to connect, please contact NBIC at nbic@biofilms.ac.uk

Jamie Smith, second year PhD student from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU).