Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Zina Alfahl is a Lecturer in Bacteriology and a member of the Centre for One Health at the University of Galway, affiliated with the Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbial Ecology Group. She completed her PhD in Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy, Queens University Belfast, focusing on determining clinical and microbiological endpoints in chronic airway diseases. Dr. Alfahl holds an Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) and currently teaches Bacteriology at the School of Medicine. Her research interests focus on molecular diagnostics to detect bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance and stewardship. She has presented her work at several international conferences and has received multiple awards and grants for her research.
Research Interests
Bacterial infectionsAntimicrobial resistanceMolecular diagnostics Medical education
Teaching Interests
Bacteriology
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
BSc, PhD
External positions
Editor Access Microbiology, Microbiology Society
2024 → …
One health advisory member, Applied Microbiology International
2022 → …
Teaching assistant, Queens University Belfast
7 Jan 2019 → 20 Apr 2021
Accepting PhD Students
- Accepting PhD Students
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A review of emerging biomarkers connecting diabetes and ischemic stroke: Implications for early detection and risk stratification
Hussain, N., Ramadan, A., Hussain Ibrahim Al Haddad, A. & Alfahl, Z., 20 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Diabetes Research.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Medical versus science students: Knowledge, perceptions and learning of core pharmacology concepts
Alfahl, Z., Lynch, R., O'Dwyer, C. & Kelly, J. P., 18 Feb 2026, In: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
Airway total bacterial density, microbiota community composition and relationship with clinical parameters in bronchiectasis
Alfahl, Z., Einarsson, G. G., Elborn, J. S., Gilpin, D. F., O'Neill, K., Ferguson, K., Hill, A. T., Loebinger, M. R., Carroll, M., Gatheral, T., De Soyza, A., Chalmers, J. D., Johnson, C., Hurst, J. R., Brown, J. S., Bradley, J. M. & Tunney, M. M., Jan 2025, In: Respiratory Medicine. 236, 107906.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
A novel enrichment-free, low-volume filtration and rapid lysis (ELR) method in combination with real-time PCR for detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in water
Alfahl, Z., O'Connor, L., Morris, D., Smith, T. J., O'Dwyer, J., Hynds, P. D., Cormican, M. & Burke, L. P., 1 Jul 2025, In: Access Microbiology. 7, 7, 001009.v3.Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
A novel Enrichment-free, Low-volume filtration and Rapid lysis method (ELR) in combination with real-time PCR for detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in water
Alfahl, Z., O’Connor, L., Morris, D., Smith, T. J., O'Dwyer, J., Hynds, P. D., Cormican, M. & Burke, L. P., 26 Feb 2025Research output: Other contribution (Published) › Other contribution › peer-review
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Addressing the Importance of Biosciences in Health Science Curricula: a Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Galway
Alfahl, Z. (Speaker)
May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation
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Enhancing Pharmacology and Bacteriology education for healthcare students through digital engagement: a Vevox-based approach
Alfahl, Z. (Speaker)
May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation
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Longitudinal monitoring of Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli serogroup markers O157/O26 in surface waters and groundwaters of two Irish sub-catchments
Alfahl, Z. (Other)
2025Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation
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Spatiotemporal dynamics of Escherichia coli in rivers and groundwater wells: comparative insights from two sub-catchments in the midland and western regions of Ireland
Alfahl, Z. (Other)
2025Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation
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Spatiotemporal dynamics of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups O157 and O26 in surface and groundwaters of the Corrib catchment (Ireland): implications for waterborne transmission
Alfahl, Z. (Other)
2024Activity: Talk or presentation (Unpublished) › Oral Presentation
Prizes
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Al Ain University of Science and Technology Deans Honors List
Alfahl, Z. (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Honorary award
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First prize winner at 3 Minutes Thesis Competition
Alfahl, Z. (Recipient), Jun 2021
Prize: Honorary award