I'm Dr Bushra, Head of Microbiology across BIOME9 and Pooch & Mutt. I originally trained as a zoologist and completed my PhD at the Quadram Institute Bioscience and the University of East Anglia, specialising in the gut microbiome, animal health and nutrition. My background spans both human and animal research, including collaborations with the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, and within the poultry industry.
At BIOME9 and Pooch & Mutt, I lead our microbiome research, utilising a combination of lab science, data analysis, and AI-driven tools to uncover patterns in the gut microbiome. I work closely with vets, nutritionists, behaviourists and dog owners to improve digestive and overall health through science.
I've got a big soft spot for rescue dogs thanks to my senior terrier Otis and my goofy young lurcher called Artemis. When I’m not in my lab coat, you’ll usually find me in my canoe with Otis, helping monitor local wildlife populations.
Accreditations
- BSc (Hons) Zoology, Anglia Ruskin University. Dissertation: meta-analysis of canine aggression
- PhD in Microbiology and Zoology, University of East Anglia and Quadram Institute Bioscience. Identifying novel faecal-based biomarkers for poultry health and welfare
- Science Committee Member for Humanimal Trust
Expertise
- Microbiology, molecular biology
- Microbiomes and metabolomes
- Bioinformatics and data analysis
- Animal nutrition and supplementation
- Biomarkers of health and disease
- One Health and One Medicine
Featured In
- BBC Radio 4 Farming Today
- BBC Radio Norfolk
- British Science Association’s British Science Week
- Sifted
- ProGRESS podcast
- Womanthology
- Black Women in Science Podcast 1 & 2
Publications & Articles
- Van der Weyden, L., Starkey, M., Abu-Helil, B., Mutsaers, A.J. and Wood, G.A., 2020. Companion canines: an under-utilised model to aid in translating anti-metastatics to the clinic. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis, 37, pp.7-12.
- Abu-Helil, B. and van der Weyden, L., 2019. Metastasis in the wild: investigating metastasis in non-laboratory animals. Clinical & experimental metastasis, 36, pp.15-28.
- Ballesteros Reviriego, C., Clare, S., Arends, M.J., Cambridge, E.L., Swiatkowska, A.,
- Caetano, S., Abu-Helil, B., Kane, L., Harcourt, K., Goulding, D.A. and Gleeson, D., 2019. FBXO7 sensitivity of phenotypic traits elucidated by a hypomorphic allele. Plos one, 14(3), p.e0212481.
