Associate Professor
BSc(Hons)(Sydney), PhD(ANU), FASM
Contact Details
| Contact Campus | Hobart CBD Campuses |
| Building | Medical Science 1 |
| Room Reference | 306B (Level 3) |
| Telephone | +61 3 6226 4835 |
| Fax | +61 3 6226 4788 |
| S.M.Kirov@utas.edu.au |
General Responsibilities
After several grant-funded research positions in the Departments of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Tasmania (1975-1982), Dr Kirov was appointed lecturer in the Department of Pathology (1983) and is currently (since 1997) Associate Professor in Medical Microbiology.
Outside studies leave over her UTAS appointments has included extended periods in research institutions in the UK, USA and Canada, and at UNSW, Sydney.
Assoc Prof Kirov serves on a number of Australian Society for Microbiology Committees, including the National Scientific Advisory Committee (currently Division 1 Chair), the National Research Trust Committee and the National Examinations Board.
Teaching Responsibilities
Broad teaching areas
- Introductory and General Medical Microbiology (including Virology)
- Microbial Pathogenesis
- Clinical Medical Microbiology
- Immunology
Modes of teaching include
- Lectures
- Tutorials (large and small groups)
- Advanced seminars to research students
- Practical laboratory sessions
- Laboratory demonstrations
- Use of computer-assisted learning materials
Units Coordinated
Units Taught
- CJA314 - Medical Microbiology and Immunology
- KLA210 - Microbiology
- CJA212 - Basic Patholgical Processes and Immunity
- CAM102 - Foundations of Medicine 2
- CAM201 - Fundamentals of Clinical Science 1
- CAM202 - Fundamentals of Clinical Science 2
- CAM304 - Fundamentals of Clinical Science 3
- CAM305 - Functional Clinical Practice
Publications
Journal Articles
- O'May, C. Y., Sanderson, K., Roddam, L. F., Kirov, S. M., & Reid, D.W. (2009). Iron-binding compounds impair Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation especially under anaerobic conditions. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 58, 765-773.
- Kirov, S. M., Webb, J. S., O'May, C., Reid, D. W., Woo, J. K. K., Rice, S. A., & Kjelleberg, S. (2007). Biofilm differentiation and dispersal in mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis. Microbiology, 153(10), 3264-3274.
- Reid, D.W., Carroll, V., O'May, C., Champion, A., & Kirov, S. M. (2007). Increased airway iron as a potential factor in the persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis. European Respiratory Journal, 30(2), 286-292.
- O'May, C. Y., Reid, D. W., & Kirov, S. M. (2006). Anaerobic culture conditions favour biofilm-like phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis. FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 48(3), 373-380.
Book chapters
- Kirov, S. M., & McIver, C. J. (2005). 'Aeromonas and Plesiomonas', a compendium of laboratory diagnostic methods for common and unusual enteric pathogens. In C. J. McIver (Ed.), Australian Society for Microbiology (pp. 13-28). Melbourne: Australian Society for Microbiology Press
Web Access Research Portal (WARP)
Additional Information
Research Interests
Assoc Prof Kirov’s research interests encompass the broad field of Medical Microbiology but lie particularly in the field of microbial pathogenesis, bacterium-host interactions (adhesion, colonisation, invasion) on mucosal surfaces, biofilms and chronic infections.
Her characterisation of the filamentous intestinal colonisation factors (pili and flagella) of Aeromonas species has given insights into the pathogenesis and public health significance of these ubiquitous food- and water-borne organisms.
More recently, her research has focused on Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model organism for studying how the bacterial biofilms contribute to intractable infections such as those seen in the lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis, medical devices, and non-healing wounds. The overall aim of these studies is to provide a platform for the development of novel anti-infective strategies to prevent and control such infections.
A newly initiated project with researchers in the School of Pharmacy is examining the effectiveness of filtration methods at removing bacterial contaminants from prescription medications used illicitly by injecting drug users.