About
Yamni is a Professor in Biomedical Sciences at Swansea University and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Yamni graduated from Kings College, London and undertook a Masters’ degree in Applied Parasitology and Medical Entomology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
After successful completion of her doctorate at Swansea University and a post doctorate position at Fundaco Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Yamni established the Swansea University Maggot Research Group, focusing on the medicinal maggot, Lucilia sericata, and the molecules involved in larval therapy. Her team have published widely on the scientific findings on the antimicrobial activity of larval secretions, and on the wound healing properties of maggots and have identified a potent new antimicrobial factor, Seraticin®, from maggot secretions. Yamni is an author of over 75 peer reviewed articles, book chapters and papers and is an Elected Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society and the Royal Society of Biology.
She is also currently leading a project investigating public understanding and perception of the clinical use of maggots on wounds. As such, she has established the “Love a maggot!” campaign, a major public engagement movement, which aims to raise awareness and change perception of maggot therapy. Yamni has featured in numerous media, radio and TV interviews and reports. In 2018, she acted as a maggot consultant for the BBC Medical drama Casualty. In 2022, she worked with BBC Doctors to incorporate maggot therapy into an upcoming episode. She has been interviewed recently for BBC Countryfile about her work to change the negative perception of maggot therapy.
Yamni was selected to participate in the elite Welsh Crucible Programme, promoting the development of future Research Leaders in Wales. She is an Athena Swan Champion and Diabetes Community Champion. She is a trained STEM Ambassador, delivering interactive sessions on microbiology and entomology.
