Professor Roger Pickup

Professor of Environmental Microbiology and Health

Research Overview

My research interests lie in 'Environment and human health' with expertise in molecular microbial ecology/environmental microbiology. I am particularly interested in non-tuberculous mycobacteria and their environmental routes for human exposure. Of main interest is Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) which causes inflammatory bowel disease (Johne’s disease) in the majority of animals. With collaborators, we are examining Map’s role in Crohn’s disease, a similar human inflammatory condition. Map is significantly associated with this crippling disease and we seek to ascertain whether it is the cause. Other interests include: antibiotic resistance in the natural and hospital environments, gene transfer in the environment and sanitation and health in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rapid and Smart Diagnostic System for Infectious Diseases
01/09/2023 → 31/08/2025
Research

Making the Dust Fly: Creating a million plus conversations in Ghana on home cleaning and superbugs
01/03/2023 → 29/02/2024
Research

WASHable II Impact Accelerator: Participatory design and community engagement Network on WASH in Lusophone and Francophone African Countries
01/10/2022 → 30/09/2023
Research

Functional Validation and Safety of Antimicrobial Properties of an Innovative Coating Material
01/07/2021 → 30/06/2025
Research

WASHable: Participatory design and community engagement Network on WASH in Lusophone and Francophone African Countries
15/01/2020 → 31/03/2022
Research

ACTUATE : Accelerating the adoption of circular sanitation demonstration systems for improved health outcomes
01/10/2019 → 31/12/2021
Research

ACTUATE : Accelerating the adoption of circular sanitation demonstration systems for improved health outcomes
01/10/2019 → 31/03/2021
Research

MSI: A novel coating technology based upon polyatomic ions from plasma
01/02/2019 → 30/08/2022
Research

MSI: Synthesis and Characterisation of RAFT mediated gels and its application in diverse field
03/09/2018 → 02/01/2019
Research

Understanding the home as a source of infection of AMR bacteria carried by dust by exploring hygiene practices in different home environments in Ghana
22/01/2018 → 20/04/2021
Research

RECIRCULATE : GCRF: Driving eco-innovation in Africa:capacity-building for a safe circular water economy
01/10/2017 → 31/12/2021
Research

RECIRCULATE : GCRF: Driving eco-innovation in Africa:capacity-building for a safe circular water economy
01/10/2017 → 31/03/2022
Research

Internal Project – FHM RCAD Contract Researcher Audit and Survey
01/09/2016 → …
Other

Pickup external collaboration
01/01/2016 → 30/06/2018
Other

FP7: ROOTOPOWER: Empowering root targeted strategies to minimize abiotic stress impacts on horticultural crops
01/01/2012 → 31/12/2015
Research

Lost in Translation: Cross - disciplinary analysis of knowledge exchange and effectiveness in animal disease management
01/07/2008 → 30/11/2011
Research

GCRF Global IAA Institutional Award
01/01/1900 → …
Research

Inaugural Event of the Africa Research Hub
Symposium

Vilnius University (Lithuania)
Visiting an external academic institution

Bacteria (Journal)
Editorial activity

Experiences with sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Invited talk

UKRI (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Microorganisms (Journal)
Editorial activity

NERC (External organisation)
Membership of committee

NERC (External organisation)
Membership of committee

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (External organisation)
Member of external research organisation

  • Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity