Dr Laura Glendinning
Group Leader
Contact details
Address
- Street
-
The Roslin Institute
Easter Bush Campus
Midlothian - City
- Post code
- EH25 9RG
Background
The non-pathogenic microorganisms that live in animals (the microbiota) play vital roles in disease resistance, nutrition and wellbeing. My group studies the function of these microbial communities in various species.
I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2011 with a BSc hons in medical microbiology. After briefly working in industry I went on to do a masters by research at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD at the Roslin Institute. My PhD focused on the composition and dynamics of the sheep lung microbiota. I joined Mick Watson’s group as a research fellow (core scientist) in 2018. In 2022 I joined Andy Law's group as a research fellow. In 2023 I became a Chancellor's Fellow and established my own group at the University of Edinburgh.
Qualifications
PhD: University of Edinburgh (Oct 2013 – Sep 2017).
Thesis: The sheep lung microbiota.
Master of Science by Research: University of Edinburgh (Oct 2012 – Sep 2013).
Project: The association of schistosomiasis with the gut microbiota during treatment.
BSc (Hons) Medical Microbiology– University of Leeds (Sep 2008 – Jul 2011)
Responsibilities & affiliations
Member of University of Edinburgh Senate (2024-current)
Member of committee B for BBSRC 26RM1 Responsive Mode (2026)
Member of committee B for 25RM2 BBSRC Responsive Mode (2025)
Member of committee A for 24RM2 BBSRC Responsive Mode (2024)
Member of the academic advisory board for CEAM (Centre of Excellence for Agrifood Microbiomics) at Queen's University Belfast (2024-current)
Member of UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College panel (2023-2025)
Member of UKRI pool of experts (2024-current)
Member of Agence Nationale de la Recherche: CE20 - Biology of animals, photosynthetic organisms and micro-organisms panel. (2024-current)
Easter Bush Equality and Diversity Committee: (2021-current)
Easter Bush Mental Health Committee: (2021-current): Member
Easter Bush Staff Peer support Scheme organizer: (2020-current)
Associate fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Open to PhD supervision enquiries?
Yes
Research summary
My group researches the functional relationships between the microbiota, host and environment in several animal species. We are particularly interested in how the gut microbiota of livestock contributes to the nutrition, health, immunity and welfare of the host.