1. What's your position now and how long have you been in it?
I am the lab manager for the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) lab in Bacteriology in VSD, working with DEARA and industry to detect and monitor AMR in a variety of settings. I have been a HSO for 5 years and the AMR lab manager for 2 of them.
2. What has your career and/or academic path looked like, in leading you to your role at AFBI?
A long long time ago I studied Biological Sciences Hons in the University of Ulster at Coleraine specialising in Biotechnology. During my 4 years there, I won a scholarship to study Business for 1 year at Lindenwood University in St Louis, Missouri.
I started working in VSD in March 2002, when it was still DARD, as an ASO in the Salmonella lab in Bacteriology. My managers were two inspiring females; Mrs Nessie Spence my ScO and Ms Richenda Reid my SSO. Both women encouraged me to work hard and take ownership of the lab I worked in. In Feb 2005 I gained promotion to ScO in the Statutory TB lab, in Bacteriology. I felt the jump from ASO to ScO was huge bringing with it my first experience at managing staff.
I worked in the TB lab for 13 years, helping manage the statutory aspect of the lab while also helping our research colleagues conduct research studies and case investigations. Although TB is a complex issue there was a collaborative atmosphere within the section with a broad passion towards the fight for eradication.
In Sept 2018 I achieved promotion to HSO in the Salmonella section. I was back to where it all began, only this time in a new location, the Lamont building. It was here where I began to learn about working closely with stakeholders and developing my knowledge of antibiotics and the legislation associated with them in the veterinary and food industry.
Catherine Couzens
3. What does a typical day look like for you, if such a thing exists?
The AMR lab is a dynamic and evolving workplace which means there are a lot of meetings and catch ups. First thing, I like to catch up with the two deputy lab managers and go over what happened in the previous day and what samples are due in that day. This almost always is over a coffee!
This year we are working on 3 different surveys at the same time, in abattoirs, border control posts and retail meats. The samples for these 3 investigations arrive via different couriers, it is important we keep track of what arrives and when. The data accompanying the samples has to be recorded correctly in each database. I rely heavily on the databases being updated on time so that I can review the data and compile the results into reports to be presented to our stakeholders. My role requires me to be at meetings with the stakeholders updating them on the progress we are making and discussing any unusual results, which I find very interesting.
The rest of my day is taken up with a variety of activities such as managing budgets and resources, answering queries on the different pathogens and working alongside our QAU colleagues to maintain our UKAS accreditation.
4. Tell us more about your work and what impact it has (or is expected to have)?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of microorganisms to resist the antimicrobial treatments. Through processes of mutation and selection the bacteria can develop characteristics that render some antibiotics with reduced efficacy. Bacteria are becoming more resistant to antibiotics, which is compromising effective treatment of infectious diseases.
AMR is seen as a global public health threat, which means monitoring its emergence in animal populations is of vital importance.
AFBI have worked on AMR for some time through different labs, however in 2021 a dedicated AMR lab was established. Working with The European Commission and DEARA we undertook the surveillance of certain pathogens including: E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, ESBL./AmpC E.coli, Enterococci, MRSA; with expanding capability. We isolate and characterise the pathogens through selective media, biochemical test, serology and PCR. We are increasingly working closely with colleagues in WGS (whole genome sequencing) to offer a more comprehensive form of genetic testing.
The vital surveillance we provide ensures that Northern Ireland is represented in this global challenge against AMR. We are working under theEuropean One Health Action Plan, to promote collaboration between human, animal and environmental health experts in a bid to tackle the growing global threat of AMR.
5. What do you enjoy most about your working day?
I enjoy all the interactions with my colleagues who share the same enthusiasm for this job. The investigative work is very interesting and collating all the data at the end of the day is always a satisfying result.
2. What has your career and/or academic path looked like, in leading you to your role at AFBI?
