Dr Cate Williams
PhD, PGCTHE, MPhil, BSc (hons)
Research Development Officer for Sciences
Research, Business & Innovation
Contact Details
- Email: clw30@aber.ac.uk
- ORCID: 0000-0002-6818-397X
- Office: 12, Science Park
- Twitter: CateLW_
- Research Portal Profile
Profile
Date joined RBI and previous employment
Cate joined RBI as an RDO for science on the 1st of November 2023 and previously worked as a post-doc at the Centre of Excellence for Bovine TB.
Main responsibilities at previous employment
Previously, Cate was a PDRA exploring the population structure of Mycobacterium bovis in Wales using whole genome sequencing. Genomic data was used to infer transmission pathways, monitor strain evolution and establish population structure. Data was also mined for mutations occurring in the field which were then replicated, cloned and characterized in the lab.
Education and work experience
Cate received her BSc (hons) in 2013, followed by her MPhil in 2014 and her PhD in 2019. She also completed her PGCTHE in 2020. She has previously been employed as a KE fellow with Farming Connect and has lectured on livestock-related modules for IBERS-DL.
Experience and knowledge
Cate offers a background in molecular microbiology, experience teaching at UG and MSc level and knowledge exchange.
Main responsibilities within RBI
Cate is a research development officer in the sciences (covering Physical Geography, Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics).
Most enjoyable part of working at Aberystwyth University
Cate enjoys learning about research outside of her own subject area and the technicalities of the work involved.
Additional Information
PDRA at the Ser Cymru Centre of Excellence for Bovine Tuberculosis.
Cate's work explores the population structure of Mycobacterium bovis in Wales using whole genome sequencing and molecular microbiology to investigate mutations circulating in the field.
Cate has previously worked as a KE fellow for Farming Connect and as a lecturer for IBERS-DL.
Research
Cate currently works in the field of bovine tuberculosis, the project encompasses epidemiology, bioinformatics, molecular microbial genetics and classic microbiology centring on Mycobacteria sp..
Cate received her PhD in 2019 which investigated the role of the protozoa in ruminal metabolism, focussing on carbohydrate-active enzymes. This project used meta-omic techniques alongside molecular and microbiology to deliver some of the first in-depth bioinformatic characterisation of the rumen protozoa.
In 2014, Cate achieved an MPhil examining the role of bacteria in ruminal lipid metabolism and in 2013 received her BSc Biology (hons) from Aberystwyth University.
Cate qualified as a Fellow with the Higher Education Academy by completing her PGCTHE in 2019.
Office Hours (Student Contact Times)
- Monday 09:00-17:30
- Tuesday 09:00-17:30
- Wednesday 09:00-17:30
- Thursday 09:00-17:30
- Friday 09:00-16:00