Dr Amanda Corla

Amanda graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2013 with a first class BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Genome Science. Continuing at Portsmouth, she embarked upon a postgraduate research degree funded by the Anatomical Society in neurovascular development under the supervision of Dr. Frank Schubert and Dr. Andy Pickford, where she developed her knowledge and skills in neurobiology, embryology, molecular biology and histology. She was awarded the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences in 2017 with her thesis entitled: 'The Anatomical and Molecular Characterisation of Vascular Ingression in the Embryonic Vertebrate Brain.'

Exploring new horizons and keen to develop her skills further, Amanda joined the Non-Vesicular Reference Laboratory as a Laboratory Analyst in September 2017. Operating within the SAPO4 biocontainment facility, she provides an essential diagnostic service for the detection of viruses, such as Bluetongue, African swine fever and African horse sickness, through conducting serological and molecular testing of sample submissions. Amanda is the group head of virus isolation and is an active member of the 'European Virus Archive - global' (EVAg) project, producing high-quality virus isolates for the collection as well as for local and international collaborators. She provides training in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited assays and performs collaborative research and validation work with multiple groups at The Pirbright Institute. Amanda also provides support to the Marek’s Disease Virus Reference Laboratory.