Dr Melissa Lacey BSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Microbiology
- School of Biosciences and Chemistry
- Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre
- Industry and Innovation Research Institute
Summary
Mel is a microbiologist with over a decade’s teaching experience at Sheffield Hallam University. She currently teaches microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry across the Biosciences and Chemistry undergraduate and postgraduate degree programme. She is an active researcher in both the Accessibility of Science and Molecular Microbiology group and within the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre. Mel has a departmental role in undergraduate admissions, organising the departmental schools, colleges and public engagement programme.
About
Teaching
School of Biosciences and Chemistry
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Mel has several internal and external research collaborations that underpin her teaching.
Subject area
Biosciences
Mel currently teaching microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry across the Biosciences and Chemistry undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
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
Publications
Journal articles
Lacey, M., Francis, N.J., & Smith, D.P. (2024). Redefining online biology education: a study on interactive branched video utilisation and student learning experiences. FEBS Open Bio. http://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13767
Efthimiou, G., Goodman, S., Kelly, B.G., & Lacey, M. (2023). Pedagogy collection: a new innovative teaching and outreach toolkit launched by Access Microbiology. Access Microbiology, 5 (10). http://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000702
Bertelsen, M., Lacey, M., Nichol, T., & Miller, K. (2023). Mechanistic Insight into the Early Stages of Toroidal Pore Formation by the Antimicrobial Peptide Smp24. Pharmaceutics, 15 (10). http://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15102399
Lacey, M.M., Jones, K.L., Gostić, M., Easton, V., Efthimiou, G., Kelly, B.G., & Graham, A.I. (2023). Reflections on the teaching symposium at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference 2023. Access Microbiology, 5 (9). http://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000676.v3
Lacey, M.M., Capper-Parkin, K., Schwartz-Narbonne, R., Hargreaves, K., Higham, C., Duckett, C., ... Rawlinson, K. (2023). University student-led public engagement event: increasing audience diversity and impact in a non-science space. Access Microbiology, 5 (8). http://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000534.v3
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2023). Teaching and assessment of the future today: higher education and AI. Microbiology Australia. http://doi.org/10.1071/ma23036
Capper-Parkin, K.L., Nichol, T., Smith, T.J., Lacey, M.M., & Forbes, S. (2023). Antimicrobial and cytotoxic synergism of biocides and quorum-sensing inhibitors against uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The Journal of hospital infection, 134, 138-146. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2023.02.004
Lacey, M.M., Shaw, H., Abbott, N., Dalton, C.J., & Smith, D.P. (2022). How students’ inspirations and aspirations impact motivation and engagement in the first year of study. Education Sciences, 12 (12). http://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12120885
Lacey, M.M., & Efthimiou, G. (2022). A guide to pedagogical research for scientists from a biological sciences background. Access Microbiology, 4 (8). http://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000416
Rawson, K.M., Lacey, M.M., Strong, P.N., & Miller, K. (2022). Improving the therapeutic index of Smp24, a venom-derived antimicrobial peptide: increased activity against gram-negative bacteria. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23 (14). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23147979
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
Theses / Dissertations
Capper-Parkin, K.L. (2024). Development of Antimicrobial Impregnated Catheter Coatings to Prevent Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Infections. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Forbes, S., Nichol, T., Lacey, M., & Smith, T. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00589
Internet Publications
Lacey, M. (2024). Gut microbiome: meet E coli – the infamous bacteria with an unfair reputation. [Online magazine].
Lacey, M. (2024). British Science Week is an opportunity to look at how we can tackle inequalities in science. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/british-science-week-is-an-opportunity-to-look-at-how-we-can-tackle-inequalities-in-science-dr-melissa-lacey-4547274
Higham, C., Schwartz-Narbonne, R., & Lacey, M. (2024). I’m fascinated by art and science’s shared ability to record the transient. https://nowthenmagazine.com/articles/im-fascinated-by-art-and-sciences-shared-ability-to-record-the-transient-minewater
Lacey, M. (2022). Together at the chalkface - the importance of publishing pedagogical research. https://microbiologysociety.org/blog/together-at-the-chalkface-the-importance-of-publishing-pedagogical-research.html
Lacey, M. (2022). How to Guide #5 focus groups. https://www.lecturemotely.com/copy-of-lab-courses
Lacey, M. (2022). Comment: Changing with the Changes. https://microbiologysociety.org/publication/past-issues/engaging-microbiology/article/comment-changing-with-the-changes.html
Lacey, M. (2019). Bacteria Builder: a game of survival. https://www.the-microbiologist.com/
Presentations
Lacey, M., Schwartz-Narbonne, R., Holmes, N., & Rawlinson, K. (2022). Toolkit: making the most of public engagement. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education conference, London
Lacey, M., Rawlinson, K., & Capper-Parkin, K. (2022). Art and Science Case Study: Increasing public engagement in a non‐science space and the impact on the audience demographic with students as presenter. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education, University College London
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2022). Peer group interactions with a blended learning space, how students are using social media to answer assessment questions. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education, University College London
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2022). Peer group interactions with a blended learning space, how students are using social media to answer assessment questions. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education, University College London
Lacey, M., & Rawlinson, K. (2022). Outreach in the curriculum: Impact on transferable skills and science identity in undergraduate and postgraduate students. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education, University College London
Lacey, M., Smith, D., & Francis, N. (2022). Online video content with embed active learning enhances students’ learning experience. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education, University College London
Lacey, M., Rawlinson, K., & Capper-Parkin, K. (2022). Collaborative approach for impactful and representative public engagement activities. Presented at: Creating Knowledge Conference SHU, Sheffield Hallam University
Lacey, M., Rawlinson, K., & Schwartz-Narbonne, R. (2022). Perceptions of science research: visibility and accessibility of science research and science identity in school children engaging in co-designed research projects. Presented at: Teaching microbiology in higher education symposium, Microbiology Society Annual Conference, Belfast
Lacey, M., & Rawlinson, K. (2021). Outreach in the curriculum. Presented at: Biosummit 2021, Royal Holloway, University of London
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2021). Perceptions of science research: visibility and accessibility of science research as a career in post-16 Biosciences and Chemistry students. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference, online
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2021). How students' inspirations and aspirations impact motivation and engagement in the first year of study. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference, online
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2021). Visibility and accessibility of science research in post-16 and higher education Biosciences and Chemistry students and the impact on career aspirations. Presented at: Creating Knowledge Conference SHU, online
Lacey, M. (2021). How to publish pedagogy articles. Presented at: Microbiology teachers symposium, online
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2021). How to make exam questions ungoogleable. Presented at: Microbiology teachers symposium, online
Lacey, M., & Nichol, T. (2020). Microbiology intro labs via zoom: swabs, masks and belly button fluff. Presented at: LectuREmotely webinar
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2020). How Students' inspirations and aspirations impact motivation and engagement in the first year of study. Presented at: Biosummit 2020, online
Lacey, M., & Smith, D. (2018). Lecture theatre: where people sit and why. Presented at: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Sheffield Hallam University
Lacey, M., Smith, D., & Campbell, S. (2018). How peer / friendship groups form, and their effect on engagement and attainment. Presented at: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Sheffield Hallam University
Lacey, M. (2017). The lecturer becomes the student. Presented at: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Sheffield Hallam University
Lacey, M. (2017). Learning through Games and Play: The First Year. Presented at: Biology HUBS, Univeristy of York
Posters
Schwartz-Narbonne, R., Oladapo, O., Rahim, A.H., Holmes, N., & Lacey, M. (2021). Investigating the role of coal mine water heavy metal contamination to antibiotic resistance in Sheffield soil microbes. Presented at: BSG Annual Conference, Online
Lacey, M., & Nichol, T. (2021). Microbiology introduction sessions on Zoom: swabs, masks and belly button fluff. Presented at: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference, online
Lacey, M., & Rawlinson, K. (2021). Outreach in the Curriculum: Skills development in undergraduate and postgraduate bioscience and chemistry students. Presented at: Creating Knowledge Conference SHU, Sheffield Hallam University
Postgraduate supervision
Postgraduate supervision