Dr Polly Hayes

Polly Hayes's default avatar image

Senior Lecturer

Life Sciences

(United Kingdom) +44 20 7911 5000 ext 66409
115 New Cavendish Street
London
GB
W1W 6UW
Connect with me
Westminster Research
I'm part of
    • Genomics and Infectious Diseases
    • Research Centre for Optimal Health

About me

After gaining my BSc (Hons) in Applied Biology from Kingston University in 2000, I then undertook my PhD in Parasitology also at Kingston University. I then worked as a Post-Doctoral Researcher at Royal Holloway University of London, the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, and the Natural History Museum, London, as well as having part-time teaching roles at Kingston University, before joining the University of Westminster as a Lecturer in Parasitology and Medical Microbiology in August 2015. 

Teaching

I am the Module Leader for 5BIOM009W Human Parasitology and 7BIOM023W Infectious Diseases and Public Health. 

I also currently teach on the following modules: 7BIOM023W Clinical Aspects of Microbial Physiology and Chemotherapy; 7BIOM033W Postgraduate Research Methods; 7BIOM032W Postgraduate Research Project; 6BIOM005W Medical Microbiology in the Genomic Era; 6BICH003 Undergraduate Project; 5BIOM008W Infection and Immunity; 5BIOM007W Applied Pathobiology; 5BIOM010W Research Methods.

I gained my PGCert from the University of Westminster and became a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy in 2017. 

I also supervise postgraduate and doctoral research students.

Research

Parasites and parasitic vector-borne diseases significantly impact on global health and food security, but biological understanding needed for effective & sustainable diagnosis, treatment and control, remains neglected. 

My research focuses mainly on the diversity, evolution and ecology of disease vectors, parasites, and host-parasite interactions, particularly in relation to transmission. 

Areas of interest include: protozoan blood parasites of medical and veterinary importance (particularly trypanosomes), neglected vectors of zoonotic diseases (biting flies, ticks, leeches), and parasites of wildlife, especially in relation to emerging zoonoses, food security and the pet trade.

Publications

For details of all my research outputs, visit my WestminsterResearch profile.