Shona Blair PhD

Dr. Shona Blair is Head of Research Strategy, Faculty of Medicine. She works with the Faculty’s Director of Research and Vice Dean (Research) to develop and support strategic initiatives. The Research Strategy Team focuses on supporting and increasing the Faculty’s research success, including developing our people, building strategic relationships, finding opportunities, and managing various funding initiatives.

Shona has extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic plans, management, and governance, particularly within the higher education sector. Her previous role was as the General Manager of the ithree institute (infection.immunity.innovation), in Sydney, Australia. There she worked closely with the Director to develop and implement ithree’s strategic plan, and with the institute’s senior research leaders to increase research funding and impact. She has also held other roles in Australian research-intensive universities in various areas, including managing Ph.D. candidate training and development.

Shona has a Ph.D. in microbiology, and she has conducted research into the effects of manuka honey against antimicrobial-resistant wound pathogens, its wound healing properties, and the impact of a floral variety on the antimicrobial activity of honey. She retains an interest in medicinal honey research, including current involvement in a study of the effects of honey on human gut health, as well as a project looking for more sources for clinically relevant antimicrobial honey.