Andrew Mc Dowell

Dr Andrew McDowell holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Queen’s University, Belfast and joined Ulster University in 2013, where he is currently a lecturer in Molecular Microbiology. He has published widely in the field of medical microbiology (H-index 29, 3814 citations; Google scholar) and is involved in a wide range of international research collaborations, as well as studies with industrial partners. Prior to joining Ulster, Andrew worked at the Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen’s University, Belfast, and the Biological Research Centre, Szeged (European Centre of Excellence). 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr McDowell’s research focuses on a number of key themes; understanding human anaerobic cutibacteria in health and disease; prosthetic joint/ bone infections and microbiology related to the cystic fibrosis (CF) lung. In collaboration with The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon Tyne and Newcastle University, his early work on the role of Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary transplant outcomes proved a ‘game changer’ in terms of patient risk-stratification, directly resulting in changes to the International Society for Heart and Lung transplantation guidelines for CF patients. 

He has been awarded significant research funding including grants from Cystic fibrosis Trust, Prostate Cancer UK, Big Lottery, British Skin Foundation, Welcome Trust, and industrial collaborators.

Currently, projects in his laboratory are investigating:

1. The role of cutibacteria infection of the prostate gland as a driver of prostate cancer development.

2. Antibiotic-resistance and severe, recalcitrant acne vulgaris.

3. Bacterial infection and degenerative disc disease.

4. The human microbiome in mental health.

He has expertise in anaerobic bacteriology, biochemistry and molecular biology, including next generation sequencing, microbiomics, functional genomics, bioinformatics and phylogenetic analyses.

TEACHING INTERESTS

Dr McDowell teaches across on-campus and distance learning undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University, including the BSc and MSc degree programmes in Personalised Medicine and PgDip in Physician Associate studies. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and a registered STEM ambassador regularly giving talks and at Schools and Collages and participating in local STEM events aimed at children from all ages.

ADMINISTRATION

Associate Course Director, BSc (Hon) Biomedical Sciences (2020-present)

School of Biomedical Sciences Recruitment and Admissions Committee (2015-present)

Stratified Medicine Industrial Liaison Committee (2013-2020)

Module Coordination

Studies Advisor

MEMBERSHIP.

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

American Society for Microbiology

Society of Anaerobic Microbiology

Microbiology Society

Clinical Trial of an Investigational Medicinal Product (CTIMP) oversight committee, Queen's University, Belfast (2008-2010)

UK Cystic Fibrosis Microbiology Consortium (2005-2008)

Current Students: 

Ms Ailis Stevenson (2020-2023): Investigation of oral and blood microbiome shifts in patients with depression (Department for the Economy) 

Mr Joseph McLaughlin (2017-2020): Metagenomic and culture-based characterisation of Propionibacterium acnes communities in patients with severe recalcitrant papulopustular and nodular acne (British Skin Foundation) 

British Skin Foundation

Wellcome Trust

Western Health & Social Care Trust R&D Discretionary Fund.