Dr Katie Laird is a Senior Lecturer in Microbiology in the School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University. She has a BSc (Hons) in Biology and obtained a PhD in applied microbiology in 2008. She is currently Head of the Infectious Disease Research group at DMU, and has a team of seven researchers working on various projects. During her PhD she developed and patented an essential oil-based antimicrobial vapour. Dr Laird's research is centred on the prevention of transmission of Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) particularly on textiles and the development of novel antimicrobials as alternatives to current disinfectants and antibiotics.Katie also has two young children and appreciates the importance of children learning about health and hygiene from a young age, thus A Germ's Journey was created.Dr Sarah Younie is a Reader in Education, Innovation and Technology in the School of Applied Social Sciences, De Montfort University and the Co-director for the Institute for Education Futures at the University. She has taught in secondary schools and universities for over 25 years. Since obtaining a PhD in Education, she has undertaken international and national research for the EU, UK government agencies, BBC, local authorities and charities. As the UK Chair of a National Subject Association she has submitted evidence for the Parliamentary Select Committee Inquiry into Education. Dr Younie is widely published and is the editor-in-chief of Technology, Pedagogy and Education. Her primary research interest is in translational research in education, that is how research can be applied to practice. Having learnt of Dr Laird's research in microbiology, Dr Younie was very keen to translate this into practice for teachers and parents, hence the collaboration on A Germ's Journey.
