Gordon Ramage
Director of the Research Centre for Health
Professor of Infection Prevention and Control
Gordon is a Professor of Infection Prevention and Control and the Director of the Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) within the School of Health and Life Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University. Gordon undertook his education and formal research training at the University of Edinburgh, Queen’s University of Belfast, University of Texas health Science Centre in San Antonio, University of Calgary and the University of Glasgow, where he received his Personal Chair in 2012 and was promoted to Professor of Medical Microbiology.
Gordon is an internationally recognised microbiologist whose research focuses on the role of microbial biofilms in human health, infection and disease. Over the past 30 years, his work has helped establish fungal biofilms as a major contributor to chronic and device-associated infections, particularly those caused by Candida species. His early studies were among the first to define the structure, biology and antifungal resistance mechanisms of Candida biofilms, helping to shape the field of fungal biofilm research.
His current research spans infection prevention and control, fungal and bacterial biofilms, polymicrobial and interkingdom interactions, antimicrobial resistance, and the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics. A major focus has been understanding how biofilms contribute to persistence on medical devices, in wounds, within the oral cavity and across healthcare environments. He has also led important work on emerging fungal pathogens such as Candidozyma auris, investigating environmental persistence, transmission and disinfection strategies.
Professor Ramage has made significant contributions to understanding the oral microbiome and the interactions between fungi and bacteria within complex microbial communities. His research has advanced knowledge of denture-associated infections, oral health, recurrent candidiasis and microbiome-driven disease processes. More recently, his programme has expanded into translational infection biology, including chronic wound infections, bacterial vaginosis, diabetic foot disease, probiotics, biomaterials and biofilm-targeted therapeutics.
His work combines laboratory science, clinical microbiology and industry collaboration to develop innovative approaches for the detection, prevention and treatment of infection. He continues to lead interdisciplinary research addressing some of the most pressing challenges in infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance.
Gordon is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Fellow of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and a Fellow of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology (FECMM). He is also an honorary member of the British Society for Medical Mycology (BSMM).
Current actively funded projects:
- Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award from the BBSRC and Haleon – Advancing Translational Oral Health (led by GCU in partnership with University of Leeds, King’s College London, Queen Mary’s University London, University of Southampton)
- Knowledge Training Partnership (KTP) with Haleon – Oral Microbiome Analysis Toolkit
- Doctoral Training Award from BBSRC and Unilever – Understanding material interactions and effects on polymicrobial communities at surfaces
- National Centre for Biofilms Research PhD studentship with Nexabiome – phage therapy against wound biofilms
- FAILSAFE and Mycobiologics – monoclonal antobody therapy against Candida biofilms
- Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, GCU and Unilever – lactam therapy for skin and nail infections
- Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, GCU and GAMA Healthcare – standardised biofilm testing for disinfectants
- Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, GCU and Scottish Water - Biofilms: hidden engines driving antimicrobial resistance
Staff and students
- Dr Mark Butcher (KTP Associate)
- Dr Kerry Bartie (Research Fellow)
- Dr Mireille Howe (Associate Research Fellow)
- Miss Pranitha Murali (Research Assistant)
- Miss Olivia Seally (PhD student)
- Mr Iain Mackintosh (PhD student)
- Mr John Cooper (PhD student)
- Miss Nyree McGuinness (PhD student)