David Mcmillan

Biography

"Dr David McMillan is a molecular microbiologist in the School of Health and Sports Sciences at the University of the Sunshine Coast. His major research interests are in the areas of pathogenesis and prevention of beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections, and prevention of Medical Device Infections. Streptococcus pyogenes is a leading cause of bacterial derived mortality and morbidity. The bacterium is estimated to cause half a million deaths each year. Our research in this area is focused on understanding how streptococci evade innate immune responses developing and evaluating novel streptococcal vaccines characterising streptococcal populations at the genetic level The colonisation of medical devices is a leading cause of hospital acquired infections. As the major species bacteria associated with these infections continue to increase in antibiotic resistance, the threat to health that medical device infections pose continues to increase. Our research in this area focuses on characterisation of bacterial communities present on medical devices the emergence of antiseptic resistant bacteria in hospital settings Further details of postgraduate and undergraduate research projects in these areas can be found below."

Research Interest

Microbiology