Dr Cheryl Walter

PhD SFHEA FIBMS

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science

Role at Hull York Medical School

Cheryl is a senior lecturer in the Centre for Biomedicine based at the University of Hull's campus. Cheryl teaches on a range of programmes and contributes towards various activities in the Medical School including student outreach, outreach and recruitment, student panels and staff mentorship.

Biography

Cheryl completed her PhD in Microbiology from Rhodes University, South Africa in 2008 involving Tetraviruses. Post completing her PhD, Cheryl has a sustained academic career spanning 16 years that has involved both research into emerging viral pathogens and science communication and outreach. Cheryl is a passionate Microbiology educator, teaching on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including laboratory projects. Cheryl is interested in the molecular virology of RNA viruses, in particular, the mechanisms of virion assembly and egress and the host pathways that are sequestered for virion formation, and drug repurposing for novel antiviral compounds. Cheryl is an external examiner for both PGR and PGT degrees.

Cheryl is a committed advocate of STEM subjects to children and underrepresented groups and contributes regularly to outreach and communication activities at a local and national level. Cheryl is a member of the Microbiology Society’s Education and Outreach Network (EON) and contributes regular pieces for The Conversation and other outlets. Cheryl acts as an advisor on COVID-19 and mPox, two important emerging viral threats to human health.

Research

Cheryl completed post-doctoral research on significant human pathogens (HCV) and emerging viral threats (Bunyaviruses). Following on from these experiences and building on her expertise, Cheryl continues to drive virology research at Hull, investigating mechanisms of viral assembly and egress and establishing screening pipelines for molecules with antiviral or virucidal activity. Cheryl has over 10 years’ experience of supervising postgraduate research students and collaborates with academic and industrial researchers both locally and nationally.

Teaching

Cheryl holds a senior fellowship with Advance HE and enjoys developing educational resources and contributing to curriculum development and the scholarship of teaching and learning. Cheryl is also a member of the HYMS Health Professions Education unit Cheryl contributes on a range of modules and across FHEQ levels. Cheryl teaches on the following programmes:

BSc. (Hons.) Biomedical Science
• Clinical Microbiology and Immunology (Module lead)
• Advanced Microbiology (Module lead)
• Skills for Biomedical and Forensic Science students
• Professional Skills for Biomedical and Forensic Science students
• Independent Research Projects [40 credits]

BSc. (Hons.) Biochemistry
• Concepts in Pharmacology

MSc. Biomedical Sciences
• Infection and Immunity
• Current topics in Biomedical Science

MSc. Pharmacology and Drug Development
• Foundations of Pharmacology

Gateway year programme (Hull York Medical School)

Publications
Collaborations

Dr. Laura Sadofsky
Dr. Andre Voelzmann
Prof. John Greenman

External:

Dr. John Barr (University of Leeds)
Dr. Andrew Tuplin (University of Leeds)
Prof. Nicole Pamme (Stockholm University)

Postgraduate research supervision

Current research students:

Mohammad Ibrahim [PhD] - writing up
Luke Foxton [PhD]- starting September 2024

External roles

Journal peer reviewer for Archives of Virology, Microbiology Access and Journal of Biological Education

Fellow of the IBMS

Senior Fellow of Advance HE

External PGR examiner for University of Leeds

External PGT examiner for University of Nottingham