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Melanie Wilson

Dr Melanie Wilson

Lead, Health & Safety, Senior Lecturer in Oral Microbiology

School of Dentistry

Email
WilsonMJ@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29225 10655
Campuses
University Dental Hospital, Room 479, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY

Overview

As a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Oral Microbiology I have a broad remit covering research, teaching and oral microbiology service provision.

Research Theme

Tissue Engineering & Reparative Dentistry

Research Group

Microbial Effects on Tissue Function, and Tissue Repair and Remodelling

Publication

2023

2022

2021

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1997

1996

1995

Articles

Conferences

Research

As an MRC Clinical Training Fellow, my focus was the application of molecular methods to the study of the dental plaque bacterial community. This interest has continued throughout my career and has been extended to the study of other complex microbial communities, including the chronic wound microflora, bacteria associated with oral cancer, and the biofilms involved in community and ventilator associated pneumonia. Other research interests relate to antimicrobial resistance, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of probiotics and their products, and host pathogen interactions, for example the interaction of microaerophilic streptococci with extracellular matrix components and Candida species with host tissues.

I oversee a specialist diagnostic oral microbiology service which receives a range of specimen types including saliva, pus, dental plaque and fluid samples from patients with orofacial infection. In addition to supporting the optimal management of infection for the individual patient, this facility provides data on profiles of pathogens associated with disease in addition to susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Such surveillance is fundamental to the global action against increasing antimicrobial resistance and the unit collaborates with partners in the UK and Europe.

In addition, I act as Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship Advisor to the Dental School and facilitate research in these areas including national audits of antimicrobial prescribing.  As Chair of the UK Association of Clinical Microbiologists I am actively involved in increasing the UK capacity for research and service provision in all aspects of oral microbiology.

Teaching

I am involved in teaching and assessment for the following topics at all levels in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes.

Microbiology of oral disease

Microbiology of systemic disease

Infection control

Decontamination

Management of orofacial infection

Antimicrobial stewardship

I have acted as External Examiner at Universities within the UK and overseas at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Biography

Position 2003-present

Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Oral Microbiology

 Academic Qualifications

2002

FRCPath

Royal College of Pathologists

1996

PhD

University of Wales College of Medicine

1993

FDS

Royal College of Surgeons (London)

1989

BDS

Queens University Belfast

1987

BSc (Hons)

Medical Microbiology, Queens University Belfast

 

Professional Memberships and Roles

 Chair Association of Clinical oral Microbiologists

Specialty Advisor to SAC Additional Dental Specialties

Specialty Member of Senate of Dental Specialties

Member of Microbiology Society

Editorial Board Journal of Dentistry

Chair Health and Safety Advisory Group Cardiff University and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board