Dr Hazel Stewart

I am an experienced postdoctoral scientist who is passionate about science public policy and the importance of research in informing the public about managing infectious disease. I also have extensive teaching experience and was awarded Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2019. My research has applied molecular virology to a range of important pathogens causing chronic infection and disease in both humans and animals, with particular emphasis on the role of RNA structures in the virus lifecycle and transmission. My current projects focus upon how viruses such as polio expand their coding potential by using novel RNA regulatory elements hidden in their genomes (for example, ribosomal frameshifting and transcriptional slippage). I am currently applying this to SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, to identify novel regulatory elements.   My previous research involved elucidating the role of novel RNA secondary structures in selective genome packaging for human pathogens responsible for chronic disease, such as hepatitis C virus and Chikungunya virus, an arbovirus threatening to emerge within Europe. These studies involved developing and implementing techniques such as SHAPE, SELEX and iCLIP, as well as traditional molecular virology and bioinformatics. In addition, I have experience working with novel emerging viruses, such as equine hepaciviruses, and of investigating the transmission of gammaretroviruses in animal pathogens such as feline retroviruses and koala retrovirus.   In 2014 I applied my skillset to public health as part of the West Africa Ebola virus emergency response, where I performed diagnostic tests by multiplex qRT-PCR and gained insight into aspects of science public policy.