Dr Karen Stevenson

Biography

Karen Stevenson is a Principal Research Scientist leading a group working on pathogenic mycobacteria at Moredun. She graduated with BSc Hons in Botany with Microbiology from the University of London and obtained a PhD in Virology from the University of Glasgow. Karen worked as a postdoctoral fellow for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund before joining Moredun in 1989. At Moredun she has worked on pathogenic mycobacteria, mainly Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, the causative agent of Johne’s disease. Her current research interests are in the areas of molecular pathogenesis, identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and infection, bacterial genomics and transcriptomics and molecular epidemiology. The ultimate research goal of the group is to improve diagnosis and control of Johne’s disease through a range of multi-disciplinary approaches. Karen is currently the UK representative on the Board of Governors for the International Association for Paratuberculosis.