I initially trained as a microbiologist at the defence science technology laboratories (DSTL) in Salisbury where I gained a wide variety of experience in molecular biology and proteomics and in vitro model development. This included a role in education of military personnel and it was also here that I gained my doctorate. I subsequently moved to the University of Wolverhampton as a lecturer in Biomedical science in 2008 and became a senior lecturer in 2014. During my time as an academic I have developed a unique and engaging teaching style that has integrated any available technology to aid in the student learning experience with a particular focus on video.  I have also developed a very keen interest in the communication of science to the public and public understanding of science. As part of this I am currently the lead of a public engagement group called ‘Science Shack’ which provides exciting engaging and educational science experiences for schools and the community as a whole.

My current research interests are in a variety of pedagogical areas including, employability, the flipped class room when combined with other technologies, the use of theatre for learning in science and the pedagogy of public engagement.

Full member of the Society For General Microbiology

Full member of the British Science Association

Please Note: I was known previously known as Martin Peter Smith but changed my name due to marriage.

Smith, M.P. and Oyston, P. C. F. (2002) Animal usage in vaccine development and production: maximising results while minimising use. Trends in Microbiology. 10 (2) 62-64.

Smith, M.P., Laws, T.R., Atkins, T.P., Oyston, P.C.F., De Pomerai, D.I., Titball, R.W. (2002) A liquid based method for the assessment of bacterial virulence using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. FEMS microbiology letters.  210 (2) PP. 181-185.

G. W. P. Joshua, A. V. Karlyshev, M. P. Smith, K. E. Isherwood, R. W. Titball & B. W. Wren. (2003) A Caenorhabditis elegans model of Yersinia infection: biofilm formation on a biotic surface. Microbiology ; 149: 3221-3229

Laws, T.R., Harding, S.V., Smith, M. P., Atkins, T.P. Titball, R.W. (2004) Age influences resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans to killing by pathogenic bacteria. FEMs Microbiology letters; 234, 281-287.

Hayes, A. E., Boddey, J., Thomas, R., Smith, M. P., Atkins, T. P., Hartley, G, Brown, N., Tsang, C. H., Hill, J., Beacham, I., Titball, R. W. (2005) A type IV pilin, PilA, Contributes to adherence of Burkholderia pseudomallei and virulence in vivo. Infection and Immunity. 73 (2) 1260-1264.

C. Brown, C. N. Obi, A. N. Dawson and M. P. Khechara (2009) Simple biological control of bacterial surface contamination using bacteriophage. IBMS Congress 2009, ICC Birmingham, UK. Poster presentation.

K. S. Koasha, A. N. Dawson, and M. P. Khechara (2011) Bacteriophage survival on copper and copper alloy. IBMS Congress 2011, ICC Birmingham, UK. Poster presentation.

Khechara, M. P., Smith, S. C. and Laverty, J. Symposium titled; Developing Employability Skills; students’ perceptions of what works. British educational research association (BERA) annual conference 2015. Belfast Northern Ireland. (I was also discussant/ chair of the session on this occasion)

Khechara, M. P., Luckhurst, D. A., Townrow, D. and Hall, S. Mission Transmission: Can outreach really make a difference? IBMS Congress 2015, ICC Birmingham, UK. Poster presentation. – Awarded the best poster prize in the Education and Training section.