Georgina’s primary research focus is the study of pathogenic bacteria. Using a mixture of structural, molecular and genetic approaches, her research aims to gain insight into two areas: (1) how bacteria resist antibiotics and (2) how they interact with their host. The overarching goal is to develop innovative alternatives to traditional antibacterial chemotherapy.

Georgina completed her BSc and PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Leeds. She then completed postdoctoral training at McMaster University, in the Institute for Infectious Disease Research, working with Dr. Gerry Wright. She opened her research lab at the University of Guelph in 2017.

Allison joined the Cox Lab in 2018 as an undergraduate student while studying Microbiology at the University of Guelph. In 2019 she began her graduate studies focusing on Staphylococcus aureus adhesion to the host epithelium. Her project aims to identify and characterize novel anti-adhesive compounds that prevent adhesion to the host nasal epithelium.

Laura joined the Cox Lab in 2018 as an undergraduate student and began researching the adhesion of uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Laura's graduate work aims to identify and characterize the physiological roles of drug efflux pumps in metabolite export and pH homeostasis. Utilizing efflux deficient strains Laura sheds light on previously unidentified physiological functions of these intrinsic antibiotic resistance elements.

Ruina completed a BSc (Hons) at the University of Waterloo and a MSc at the University of Calgary in Veterinary Medical Sciences. She officially joined the Cox lab as a PhD student in 2023, where she is investigating the regulation of cell wall anchored proteins with the aim to identify novel antimicrobial targets.

Kirsten completed her undergraduate degree in biological science at the University of Guelph. During that time, she conducted an undergraduate research project in the Whitfield Lab, where she later worked as a research technician. Currently, Kirsten is an M.Sc. student in the Cox Lab. Her research aims to elucidate the role of cell wall synthesis machinery in adhesin surface presentation of Staphylococcus aureus.

Noah joined the Cox Lab in 2020 as an undergraduate student completing his fourth-year research project. Noah completed his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Guelph, and worked in the Cox Lab as a research technician. He then undertook graduate studies, where he uses various molecular techniques, including but not limited to cloning, genetic manipulation, and minimum inhibitory concentration assays, to explore the function of bacterial drug efflux pumps.

Mallory completed her undergraduate degree in Microbiology at the University of Guelph. During her fourth year she joined the Cox Lab as an undergraduate research student. Now, Mallory is an M.Sc. student in the lab, using efflux substrates as chemical probes to better understand physiological and biochemical processes within the bacterial cell.

Laura received her undergraduate degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2019, where she was studying Cell and Molecular Biology. She then went to Holland College in PEI and got a Biotechnology diploma. She has been working for the last two years in the Biotechnology sector, and recently joined the Cox team in September 2023. Laura will be focusing on Escherichia coli efflux pumps and their role in fitness.

Adam first joined the Cox lab in 2022, completing an internship. He is currently completing his 4th year research project in the Cox Lab as part of Team Efflux. He is investigating antibiotic chemical-chemical interactions and antibiotic susceptibility effects of certain E. coli gene knockouts.

Sibley recently joined the Cox Lab during her final year of her Microbiology undergraduate degree to complete her undergraduate student research project. During her time at the University of Guelph, she has developed a keen interest in antimicrobial resistance, leading her to study Staphylococcus aureus cell surface charge and host adhesion.

Hailey is currently completing a fourth-year research project with the Cox lab as part of her BSc program, studying molecular biology and genetics at the University of Guelph. She is working with Team Efflux to better understand drug efflux pumps in E. coli and how they contribute to fitness.