Saints Spotlight: Dr Clarissa Melo Czekster
Dr Clarissa Melo Czekster is a Reader in the School of Biology. She recently received the Young Investigator Award from the American Chemical Society for her work on infectious disease research. In this month’s Saints Spotlight, she discusses her work focused on communities of microorganisms known as biofilms and their significance in human chronic infections.
How did your St Andrews story start?
I came to the University of St Andrews in 2015 for a postdoctorate in the Naismith Structural Biology Group. I wanted to learn about structural biology and was interested in how some of the most toxic mushrooms, such as Amanita phalloides (Death cap), produce their toxins. When I started my own group in 2018 as a Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellow, I knew there was no place I would rather be, so I stayed at St Andrews. There are many reasons for this, but I particularly enjoyed the friendly working environment and how easy it is to collaborate with researchers in the School of Biology and across the wider University.
What are your current priorities at the University?
As part of my role, I both teach and conduct research – I prioritise bringing the two aspects together as much as I can to deliver research-led and, whenever possible, hands-on teaching and high-level projects.
I believe that incorporating science into daily life to foster an inquisitive mindset is crucial and must start early. In light of this, I take part in public engagement activities as well as coordinating the secondary school placements in the School of Biology.
What is the focus of your research at St Andrews?
Bacteria are the most ancient life forms on our planet; we have the same number of bacterial cells as human cells in our body. Most of the time, they live in communities called biofilms, which are fascinating to study but can also become a significant health problem in human chronic infections. We want to develop novel treatments that specifically fight bacteria in biofilms, as currently no such therapy is available in the clinic.
Tell us about your proudest achievement.
Since I started my lab, I had a child, and we had a pandemic. For a while, it seemed like everything was moving painfully slowly and, therefore, my proudest achievement is that the first postdoctorate, PhD and MSc students have left the lab with publications, cool and impactful science, and interesting jobs of their own. I could not be prouder of them and feel very fortunate to have had, and continue to have, amazing people working with me.
Where is your favourite spot in St Andrews?
I like to run up Grange Road, stop to appreciate the skyline and the wonderful view of the sea and East Sands and then run back down. I enjoy the incredible combination of colours – and sound as it is often windy up there!