Dr Christina Naula
- Senior Lecturer (MVLS Education Hub)
- Affiliate Researcher (School of Infection & Immunity)
email:
Christina.Naula@glasgow.ac.uk
No work office address
Biography
I have worked at the University of Glasgow in a range of roles since 1999, first as a postdoctoral researcher, later as a university teacher, research & teaching coordinator and currently as a Senior Lecturer in One Health.
I have a strong interest in parasitology in the context of neglected tropical diseases. My research years focused on kinetoplastid parasitesTrypanosoma brucei (the causative agent of African sleeping sickness) and Leishmania ssp (causative agents of the leishmaniases).
In 2021 I joined the podcast "This Week in Parasitism"(TWiP) team as a host. This is a podcast about eukaryotic parasites co-hosted by Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier and Daniel Griffin.
We strive for an informal yet informative conversation about parasites which is accessible to everyone, no matter what their science background. In each episode, we discuss cutting edge research in parasitology and a clinical case, which the listeners help solve.
I am a graduate of the University of Bern, Switzerland, where I completed undergraduate and postgraduate training with an PhD.
- 2015: Master of Education (University of Glasgow). Title: An exploratory study into the academic identity of university teachers at the University of Glasgow
- 2010: PGCert in Academic Practice
- 1998: PhD in Biomolecular Sciences (University of Bern, Switzerland). Title: Identification and characterisation of a new adenylyl cyclase in Trypanosoma brucei
- 1995: MSc in Biology with major in Microbiology (University of Bern, Switzerland). Title: The role of cyclic AMP in trypanosomes.
For personal interest, I also completed a Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences (University of Glasgow, awarded by Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, London). The focus of my thesis was doping in sport.
Teaching
My teaching responsibilities are split equally between two different but overlapping subject areas:
- Tropical Medicine & Hygiene
- One Health
I am the academic lead for the Preparatory Course in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, which prepares medically qualified students for the Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (DTM&H) qualification awarded by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, London. For information about the programme, please follow this link. The course takes a blended approach to learning with the majority of the curriculum taught online. The course includes:
- Asynchronous learning resources released in stages
- Online discussions focusing on clinical scenarios in tropical medicine
- Subject focused intensive live online teaching days
- Online live tutorials focusing on clinical scenarios.
- Practical training in microscopy and diagnostic parasitology
I am also the programme coordinator of the online MSc in One Health, which seeks to explore an integrative approach to human, veterinary and ecological health, with a special focus on infectious disease. This programme recognises the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health for all. Economic considerations and policy making to translate One Health research into practice are also considered. Furthermore, the programme aims to raise awareness of cultural and societal factors that influence how One Health interventions are planned, developed, and evaluated. This programme will continue under a new name, MSc in One Health and Infectious Disease from September 2024.
I am currently the course coordinator for
- Themes in One Health (MED5500)
- Zoonotic Diseases (MED5053)
- Integrated Infectious Disease Control (BIOL5315)
- An Introduction to Global Food Security (BIOL5335)
- Dissertation (MED5500P)
Professional activities & recognition
Prizes, awards & distinctions
- 2021: Teaching Excellence Award (Individual Excellence) (University of Glasgow Teaching Excellence Awards)
Professional & learned societies
- 2010: Fellow (FHEA), Advance HE (HE Academy)
- 2021: Senior Fellow (SFHEA), Advance HE (HE Academy)