Dr Chrysi Sergaki is the Head of Microbiome at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Dr Chrysi leads the microbiome standardisation program, with 18 World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed projects to develop International Reference Reagents for the microbiome field. Through that, she has led the development and establishment of the 1st WHO International DNA Reference Reagents for microbiome analysis and Whole Cell reference reagent for the DNA extraction of microbiome samples, by coordinating large, international multi-sector collaborative studies. Furthermore, Dr Chrysi oversees research projects investigating the role of the microbiome in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), cancer immunotherapies, vaginal infections, and drug-microbiome interaction. A current area of focus is the development of AMR reference reagents for use in AMR surveillance and resistome analysis, rapid NGS-based diagnostics and microbiotoxicity. Through her work and involvement in national and international expert groups and committees Dr Chrysi aims at driving innovation and enabling patient access to innovative products by advocating for accurate, high-quality data and bridging the gap between research, industry and the regulator.

Before joining the MHRA, Dr Chrysi completed my PhD at the University of Warwick, UK – researching microbial interactions in fungi and bacteria and their impact on the host.