Jay Haywood
I am a PhD student based between the University of Glasgow and Lancaster University, where I am researching genomic instability in the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). T. Cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease and is endemic in 21 Latin American countries. An estimated 7 to 8 million people worldwide are infected with the parasite, with an additional 100 million individuals considered at risk of infection. Accounting for more than 10,000 deaths annually, Chagas disease remains one of the highest-burden neglected tropical diseases in the Americas, highlighting a critical need for research into the molecular mechanisms that drive its survival, transmission, and environmental adaptability.
Outside of the lab (which is rare…), I like to keep busy with a bit of everything - I’m a big fan of anything creative and hands-on! I enjoy creative writing, painting and baking, and love spending my downtime with friends. Chances are you’ll find me distracting my lab mates, or you'll hear me laughing from across the room or down the hall. Always happy to chat about genomics and/or making academic research accessible to all.