Dr Amreen Bashir
Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences Aston University
- Birmingham
Dr Bashir's research interests include clinical microbiology and environmental microbiology.
Media
Social
Biography
Dr Bashir completed her PhD exploring the biological basis for Salmonella persistence in food manufacturing environments. She has focussed mainly on applied microbiology, with an emphasis on “real world” problems such as antimicrobial resistance and microbial contamination. her recent research has focused on microbial contamination of used cosmetics and toothbrushes.
Dr Bashir has led a number of applied Microbiology projects and has contributed to public engagement activities including those using educational theatre combined with an expert forum to engage the public in Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Big Bang Fair and the Microbiology roadshow. She has published papers focused on appropriate antibiotic prescribing and educating the public of the dangers of AMR. Dr Bashir regularly engages with the press to comment on news stories and issues related to microbiology.
Areas of Expertise
Education
Aston University
PhD
Microbiology
2016
Professional Practice in Higher Education
Postgraduate Certificate
2014
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Postgraduate Certificate
2012
Coventry University
BSc
Applied Biomedical science
2011
Affiliations
- IBMS : Fellow
- HEA : Fellow
Links
Media Appearances
The dangers of using make-up
The Citizen online
2020-01-21
The new research, led by Dr Amreen Bashir and Prof Peter Lambert of Aston University's School of Life and Health Sciences, has shown that nine out of 10 in-use beauty products contain superbugs including E.coli and Staphylococci.
Elsa McAlonan's Beauty Upgrades: How to achieve instant radiance
Daily Mail online
2020-01-19
According to the study’s author, Dr Amreen Bashir, the best way to avoid germs is to wash your sponge with soap and warm water after every use and dry it thoroughly before putting it back in your make-up bag.
Superbugs may be breeding in makeup, accessories after use
UPI online
2019-12-10
"Poor hygiene practices when it comes to using makeup, especially beauty blenders, is very worrying when you consider that we found bacteria such as E. coli," said researcher Amreen Bashir.
Turns out your makeup bag is crawling with superbugs and bacteria
Ladders online
2019-12-04
“The results were astonishing,” said study leader, microbiologist and Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences Dr. Amreen Bashir, in a release. “We found that 70% to 90% of all our products were contaminated.”
Superbugs live in 9 of 10 makeup bags, research finds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution online
2019-12-03
"Consumers' poor hygiene practices when it comes to using make-up, especially beauty blenders, is very worrying when you consider that we found bacteria such as E.coli — which is linked with faecal contamination — breeding on the products we tested,” said Dr. Amreen Bashir of Aston’s school of Life and Health Sciences.
Are Dangerous Microbes Hiding In Your Makeup? New Study Says Yes.
Forbes online
2019-12-02
“Consumers' poor hygiene practices when it comes to using make-up, especially beauty blenders, is very worrying when you consider that we found bacteria such as E.coli - which is linked with fecal contamination - breeding on the products we tested,” said Dr Amreen Bashir, lead author of the study from Aston University's School of Life and Health Sciences.
Revealed: The deadly superbugs lurking in more than 9 in 10 make-up bags
EurekAlert! online
2019-12-02
Make-up products used every day by millions of people in the UK are contaminated with potentially deadly bugs, such as E.coli and Staphylococci, because most are not being cleaned and are used far beyond their expiry dates, new research led by Dr Amreen Bashir and Professor Peter Lambert of Aston University's School of Life and Health Sciences has shown.
Articles
Microbiological study of used cosmetic products: highlighting possible impact on consumer health
Journal of Applied Microbiology2019
To investigate the nature and extent of microbial contamination in five categories of used cosmetic products (lipstick, lip gloss, eyeliners, mascaras and beauty blenders) and highlight the potential risk posed to consumers in the UK.
Does improved management of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women prevent Escherichia coli bloodstream infections?
Journal of Hospital Infection2019
Untreated, asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in pregnancy is reported to be associated with an increased risk of pyelonephritis. Preventing pyelonephritis might prevent bloodstream infections (BSIs) with Escherichia coli, which could contribute to the Department of Health 2017 initiative to reduce Gram-negative BSI in England by 50% by 2021 [ 1 ]. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on antenatal care for uncomplicated pregnancies recommends offering routine culture-based screening for ASB during early pregnancy. However, testing practices for ASB in England are variable between hospitals [ 2 , 3 ].
Pet Food Factory Isolates of Salmonella Serotypes Do Not Demonstrate Enhanced Biofilm Formation Compared to Serotype-Matched Clinical and Veterinary Isolates
BioMed Research International2019
Environmentally persistent Salmonella in the pet food factory environment has been described, with biofilm formation suggested as a candidate mechanism contributing to their persistence. In this study the ability of a panel of Salmonella isolates from factory, clinical, and veterinary sources was investigated for their ability to form biofilms at 24 and 48 hours.
Are Academics Wrongly Assuming Bioscience Students Have the Transferable Skills and IT Competency They Need to Be Successful Beyond the Degree?
Frontiers in Educational Psychology2017
Acquisition and development of key transferable skills is an important requirement for all graduate employees. The aim of the current study was to investigate a potential skills shortage in bioscience students and, if revealed, explore ways of addressing it. A research questionnaire, which included mixed methodology, was used to collate information from a cohort of students across levels four, five, and six enrolled on biological and biomedical science undergraduate programs.
Fight antibiotic resistance - it's in your hands to improve antibiotic stewardship
Journal of Hospital Infection2017
The public health threat emanating from the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria is well known. Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign promotes a different theme; the call to action in this year’s annual ‘Global Hand Hygiene Day’ on May 7th, 2017, is ‘Fight antibiotic resistance – it’s in your hands’.1 Good hand hygiene is widely acknowledged as the single most important measure to prevent infections in hospital. However, it would be naive to believe that hand hygiene alone will solve the problems posed by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB).
