Dr Melissa Lacey BSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Summary
Mel was appointed as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University in 2013 after completing a BSc in Biochemistry and PhD in Microbiology at The University of Sheffield. She is course leader for the MSci/BSc Biology course and teaches microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry across the Biosciences and Chemistry degree programme.
She is an active researcher in the microbiology group within the BMRC focusing on bacterial biofilms, novel - antibacterial agents and hospital acquired infections.
She organises and supports school and public events as a STEM ambassador and researches how to enhance teaching practices.
Teaching
Microbiology
BSc Biosciences Programme
Cellular Biology and Biochemistry and Microbiology, Immunology and Microbiology, Essentials of Biosciences of nursing practice, Integrating the science and practice of nursing, ODP applied science 1, ODP applied science 2, Professional and scientific practice 1, Professional and scientific practice 2, Professional and scientific practice 3, Topics in Biochemistry, undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.
Research
Antimicrobial peptides
Biofilm formation
Thermal detection of bacterial biofilms
Bacterial signalling
Publications
Journal articles
Rawlinson, K.E., Duckett, C., Shaw, H., Woodroofe, M.N., & Lacey, M. (2021). Family-focused campus-based university event increases perceived knowledge, science capital and aspirations across a wide demographic. International Journal of Science Education, Part B: Communication and Public Engagement. http://doi.org/10.1080/21548455.2021.1971319
Hunt, B., Saatchi, R., & Lacey, M. (2021). Infrared thermography can detect previsual bacterial growth in a laboratory setting via metabolic heat detection. Journal of Applied Microbiology. http://doi.org/10.1111/jam.15218
Duckett, C.J., Hargreaves, K.E., Rawson, K.M., Allen, K.E., Forbes, S., Rawlinson, K.E., ... Lacey, M. (2021). Nights at the museum: integrated arts and microbiology public engagement events enhance understanding of science whilst increasing community diversity and inclusion. Access Microbiology, 3 (5). http://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000231
Henly, E.L., Norris, K., Rawson, K., Zoulias, N., Jaques, L., Chirila, P.G., ... Forbes, S. (2021). Impact of long-term quorum sensing inhibition on uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. http://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkaa517
Lacey, M.M., Campbell, S.G., Shaw, H., & Smith, D. (2020). Self-selecting peer groups formed within the laboratory environment have a lasting effect on individual student attainment and working practices. FEBS Open Bio. http://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.12902
Henly, E., Dowling, J., Maingay, J.B., Lacey, M., Smith, T., & Forbes, S. (2019). Biocide exposure induces changes in susceptibility, pathogenicity and biofilm formation in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial agents and chemothery. http://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01892-18
Smith, D., Hoare, A., & Lacey, M. (2018). Who goes where? The importance of peer groups on attainment and the student use of the lecture theatre teaching space. FEBS Open Bio, 8 (9), 1368-1378. http://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.12494
Curran, T., Abacha, F., Hibberd, S., Rolfe, M., Lacey, M., & Green, J. (2017). Identification of new members of the Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 SlyA regulon. Microbiology, 163 (3), 400-409. http://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.000423
Lacey, M., Agasing, A., Lowry, R., & Green, J. (2013). Identification of the YfgF MASE1 domain as a modulator of bacterial responses to aspartate. Open Biology, 3 (6), 130046. http://doi.org/10.1098/rsob.130046
Lacey, M.M., Partridge, J.D., & Green, J. (2010). Escherichia coli K-12 YfgF is an anaerobic cyclic di-GMP phosphodiesterase with roles in cell surface remodelling and the oxidative stress response. Microbiology, 156 (9), 2873-2886. http://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.037887-0
Conference papers
Melville, L., Habgood, M.P.J., Kyvelou, A., Smith, N., & Lacey, M. (2018). Building bacterial knowledge: Games as teaching aides for higher-order thinking skills. In Ciussi, M. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 12th European conference on games based learning, (pp. 404-413). Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited: http://www.academic-bookshop.com/ourshop/prod_6548565-ECGBL-2018-Proceedings-of-the-12th-European-Conference-on-GameBased-Learning-PRINT-VERSION.html
Postgraduate supervision
Kirstie Rawson - Antimicrobial peptides from venom: structure, function & toxicity
Emma Henly - Combined efficacy of microbiocides and quorum sensing inhibitors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli