Dr Bridget Penman

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Humans are engaged in a non-stop evolutionary struggle with agents of infectious disease. I study how natural selection from pathogens has shaped the immune system genetics of humans and other vertebrate species. I use mathematical and computational models to achieve this.

For full details of my group's work, please see my group page at Warwick's Zeeman Institute.

Understanding the evolutionary history behind immune system genetic diversity will ultimately help us to design new ways to combat and control infection.

I am happy to be contacted by potential research students in the biosciences who wish to carry out computational / theoretical projects relating to infectious disease and host-pathogen co-evolution.

Scientific Inspiration

Alice Stewart, who (among other achievements) discovered the risks of x ray exposure to unborn children.

Research Groups

Penman Group

Zeeman Institute

Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, collaborative, student-centred.

Provision of Training

I will work closely with you to develop your project and help your research progress. At first I will offer plenty of direct guidance as required (e.g. helping you develop code); later on we will be collaborating, but you will be researching independently.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to be kept up to date, and will expect to see evidence of what you have been working on from week to week. However, I expect you to keep track of your own upcoming deadlines. I will support you by providing timely feedback for reports, manuscripts etc – but I prefer for you to take the initiative in asking me for this feedback, rather than me chase you up about an upcoming deadline.

Communication

If there is anything that is affecting your work, or anything that is concerning you, be it research related or otherwise, please do discuss it with me and I will do my very best to help or point you in the direction of who can help.

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, however I will not expect you to do the same, or expect responses outside of your normal pattern of working hours.

In a group meeting

At least once per fortnight

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per month

The meetings will be a mixture of face to face, via video chat or telephone according to individual circumstances and preferences and I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 days a week.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Co-supervisor on projects with Dr Erin Gorsich.