Dr Connor Bamford is a lecturer within The School of Biological Sciences and The Institute for Global Food Security, specialising in virology. Learn all about Dr Bamford, from virology to Jurassic Park!

Career Path and Advice

Tell us about your research and how your career has progressed?

I am a virologist by training, specialising in RNA viruses that like to jump species and cause sickness. My lab currently focuses on understanding how the immune system of humans and other animals defends against such deadly viruses. We hope that we can help make new and better ways to protect individuals from disease.

Since 2023, I am a lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences and I got here via a very well-trodden and traditional route in academic research. This consisted of being a student in an undergraduate degree in molecular biology and PhD in molecular virology (both from QUB), followed by time as a staff postdoctoral researcher at the MRC Centre for Virology at the University of Glasgow and then during the COVID-19 pandemic, a fellowship at QUB School of Medicine, supported by the Wellcome Trust ISSF scheme.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Two interconnected things: finding out something new about the world before most other people, and training others to do that by themselves. I am motivated by discovery and inspiring the next generation.

What advice do you have for an aspiring individual hoping to pursue a career in your field?

Nurture your curiosity and develop a strong work ethic and a resilient attitude.

About Connor

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

The most interesting thing about me is that I get to be a scientist and an educator, outside of this I try and live as boring a life as I can with my family.

What is the best advice you have received or quote that you live by?

"Life will find a way", from Jurassic Park. This helps comprehension of viruses evolve, emerge and adapt and is also a handy way to think of the wider world.

Who inspires you?

The people around me, including family and friends, colleagues and students.