Dr Victoria Easton

Profile

After completing my Undergraduate degree in Pathobiology from the University of Reading, I taught English as a foreign language in Hong Kong. Upon returning to the UK I obtained my MSc in Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).I stayed at LSHTM for my PhD in Molecular Virology. My PhD focussed on the RNA binding domains of Bluetongue Virus NS2, which I showed was an essential aspect of virus replication. 

It was then that I moved to the University of Leeds as a post-doctorial researcher. During this time I worked on small molecule inhibitors to Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 under Professor Mark Harris, as well as the therapeutic potential of Adenoviruses with Professor Eric Blair. I developed a passion for microbiology education after a secondment to cover Biochemistry teaching led to a pilot study into the effect of dedicated PhD student training with Professor Nic Stonehouse. After a further teaching secondment I was appointed as a Teaching Fellow in Microbiology in 2022.

Research interests

Virology

• Reverse genetics
• Small molecule inhibitors
• RNA virus replication

Scientific Pedagogy

• Problem-based practical skills development
• Verbal comunication
• International student teaching
• Post-graduate teaching

Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Virology, LSHTM
• MSc in Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases, LSHTM
• BSc in Pathobiology, University of Reading

Professional memberships

• Microbiology Society

Student education

Co-module Manager BIOL1302/BIOL1303/MICR1320 Year One Skills (MM9711) (2022/23)