Yamni Nigam | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | |
| Awards | WISE award 2018 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Swansea University |
| Thesis | Studies on immune reactions in vectors of trypanosomes (1992) |
Yamni Nigam FRES is a British entomologist. She is a professor at Swansea University. Her scientific research focuses on the immune system of insects and invertebrates. She has a particular interest in wound healing and maggot (larval) therapy. Nigam additionally lectures on anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology within the School of Health & Social Care in the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life - science at Swansea University.
Nigam gained her bachelor's degree from King's College London and then earned a master's degree in applied parasitology and medical entomology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. She continued her education by commencing a doctorate at University College Swansea (now Swansea University) in 1988. [1] Her doctoral research investigated the prophenoloxidase system (pPO) in reduviid bugs and tsetse flies using in vitro experiments. [2]
After earning her PhD, Nigam took a post-doctoral position at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she conducted research on the immune defence to the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi , the causative agent of Chagas disease. [2]
In 2001, Nigam founded the Swansea University Maggot Research Group, of which she is a director. The group focuses on therapeutic applications of the medicinal maggot Lucilia sericata . [3] She then became an associate professor at Swansea University. [1]
In 2018, Nigam was promoted to professor which included a move from the research to the innovation and engagement strand. [4]
Nigam fulfills many roles outside of her permanent academic position. In 2007, she became a member of the Welsh Wound Network group, an enterprise which aims to support the clinical development of wound healing science. [5] In April 2014, she was an elected participant of the Welsh Crucible Programme. [6] Nigam is an elected Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (FRES). [7]
In 2003, a BBC News report highlighted the risky levels of bacteria found in Welsh ambulances, the result of Nigam and her team's research beginning in 2000. [8]
Nigam leads the Love a Maggot! campaign at Swansea University which champions the adoption of living maggots as a clinical treatment for healing chronic wounds. [9] Chronic (non-healing) wounds can be a risk for people who have diabetes or vascular problems. [10] She led a survey which found that 28 percent of participants, mainly British, were not receptive to the use of maggots for medicinal purposes. [11] However, the effectiveness of these bugs was shown through her research. [12]
In 2017, as associate professor, her research continued to make the headlines promoting the use of maggots in the National Health Service and proving their effectiveness. [13]
Nigam is a trained STEM Ambassador and delivers lessons on microbiology and entomology to pupils at local schools. [2] She participated in the 2014 Soapbox Science public engagement event in Swansea. [14] Nigam works to change the Welsh school curriculum in order to promote gender equality in STEM. [15]