Prior to working in higher education, Liz worked in the private sector as a Senior Food microbiologist managing a food testing laboratory after gaining an Applied Biology degree.  She undertook the opportunity to study for a PhD at the University of Wolverhampton and after completion of her PhD, and post-doctoral research in Phytotherapeutics against Helicobacter pylori, she established herself as an academic member of the Department of Biomedical Science and Physiology in 2001.

Liz has taught on Biomedical Science, and Human Biology awards across a range of levels.  She has extensive home and international teaching experience on a diverse range of modules including delivery of theoretical, practical, study and professional skills, and research modules.

Since 2016 Liz held several strategic Faculty of Science and Engineering leadership positions including Head of Employability, and  Head of Quality, overseeing faculty employability events, and  aspects of quality assurance for the faculty’s academic portfolio including assessment verification, external examiners, and programme change processes.  

She is currently the Head of Department of Biomedical Science and Physiology,  and  carries responsibility for the departmental academic provision, including leadership and management of the academic team, and  quality assurance of the academic portfolio. The latter includes   the development of new courses, and Professional Body accreditations such as IBMS accreditations and HCPC approvals. She also has responsibility for the student experience, ensuring that all students are supported to achieve positive outcomes.  Liz still contributes to teaching on a range of Biomedical Science undergraduate and post graduate modules, with particular involvement in medical microbiology and professional skills teaching.

Liz has been a member of the University’s Quality panel since 2016, leading or participating in various programme validations, and periodic and international partner reviews. Outside of the University, she is an external examiner for the University of Surrey and a member of the 2022 advisory group reviewing the QAA Biomedical Sciences Subject Benchmark Statement.

Microbiology

• Investigations of the antimicrobial activity of plant preparations against pathogenic bacteria.
• Anti-virulence effects of plant extracts including activity against biofilms, toxins and motility
• In vitro modeling of the environmental niches of selected pathogenic bacteria

Member of the Editorial board of World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

British Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Ordinary member

Society for Applied Microbiologists, Ordinary member

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Fellow of the Institute to Biomedical Science

Postgraduate Certificate in Learning                    University of Wolverhampton

and Teaching in Higher Education

Ph.D.  Medical Microbiology                                University of Wolverhampton

BSc Applied Biology (Hons)                                 Trent Polytechnic

(Microbial & Biochemical technology)   

Ogwaro, B.A.; Gibson, H.; Hill, D.J.; O’Gara, E.A. (2023) Microbiological quality of typical traditional yoghurt from Norther Uganda and Western Kenya. Dairy. 4, 445-461

Ogwaro BA, O'Gara EA, Hill DJ, Gibson H. (2022). The Effect of Combined Clove and Cinnamon extracts on Growth and Survival of Escherichia fergusonii and Salmonella typhimurium in milk pre and post fermentation. J Food Sci Nutr Res 2022; 5 (1): 430-451. DOI: 10.26502/jfsnr.2642-11000090

Ogwaro BA, O'Gara EA, Hill DJ, Gibson H. (2021) A Study of the Antimicrobial Activity of Combined Black Pepper and Cinnamon Essential Oils against Escherichia fergusonii in Traditional African Yoghurt. Foods.;10(11):2847. doi:10.3390/foods10112847

Smith, S., O’Gara, E.A, Khechara, M.P.K,. (2018). Increasing student engagement in a biomedical science award: peer-supported learning through video. In Transition in, Through and Out of Higher Education. Routledge, London, UK. 

Moss R.D. and O’Gara E.A. (2017) Combinational Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils against Skin Pathogens. IBMS congress proceedings.  ICC, Birmingham.  

Smith, S., O’Gara, E.A, Khechara, M.P.K,. Developing Student Capability in Biomedical Science a Award – Peer supported learning through Video. Proceedings of EDULEARN16 Conference 4th-6th July 2016, Barcelona, Spain. ISBN: 978-84-608-8860-4

Abassi H and O’Gara E.A. (2016). Plant Extracts: Antimicrobial effects on Skin Pathogens. The Biomedical Scientist. Feb 2016:100-101.

Kapasa and O’Gara E.A. (2015) Antimicrobial activity of Essential Oil combinations against burns associated bacteria. IBMS congress proceedings. ICC, Birmingham 

O’Gara, E.A, Khechara, M.P.K, Smith, S. (2016) Developing Student Capability and Employability in Biomedical Science Awards. Presentation at the HEA Annual Health and Social Care Conference. Glasgow. @ https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/health-and-social-care-conference-session-eight-abstracts

Abassi H and O’Gara E.A. (2015) Combinational antimicrobial effects of plant extracts against skin pathogens. IBMS congress proceedings.  ICC, Birmingham.

Hutchins S and O’Gara EA (2013) Combinations of basil oil and active constituents against foodborne pathogens. IBMS congress proceedings. 2013. ICC, Birmingham. Prize for best poster in microbiology section.

Saul B and O’Gara EA (2011) Combinational antimicrobial activities of tea tree oil, terpinen-4-ol and antibiotics. IBMS congress proceedings. 2011. ICC, Birmingham. Prize for best poster in microbiology section.

O'Gara EA, Maslin DJ, Nevill AM, Hill DJ (2008) The effect of simulated gastric environments on the anti-Helicobacter activity of garlic oil. J Appl Microbiol 104, 1324-1331.

Astley S.J and O'Gara, E.A.  (2007) Piloting forum activities into a Nutrition and Fitness module to support and enhance learning. Proceedings of the Science Learning and Teaching Conference. 19 – 20 June 2007; 211-215.

Watts, A. Shiner, R. O’Gara, EA. Warrender, T. (2005) Counting on numbers – squaring the numeracy divide. Learning and Teaching projects 2004/05; Enhancing learning and teaching through innovation pp 101- 108. CELT. University of Wolverhampton.

McNulty C.A., Wilson M.P., Havinga W., Johnston B., O'Gara E.A and Maslin D.J. (2001) A pilot study to determine the effectiveness of garlic oil capsules in the treatment of dyspeptic patients with Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter, 6(3):249-53. PMID: 11683929

 Ross Z.M., O'Gara E.A., Hill D.J., Sleightholme H.V and Maslin DJ. (2001) Antimicrobial properties of garlic oil against human enteric bacteria: evaluation of methodologies and comparisons with garlic oil sulfides and garlic powder. Appl Environ Microbiol., 67(1):475-80. PMID: 11133485

 O'Gara E.A., Hill D.J and Maslin D.J. (2000) Activities of garlic oil, garlic powder, and their diallyl constituents against Helicobacter pylori. Appl Environ Microbiol., 66(5):2269-73. PMID: 10788416