Angela Boahen is a current PhD student in the Richter Lab, with research focused on antimicrobial resistance, biofilm-associated infections, and the development of innovative non-antibiotic therapies for chronic and difficult-to-treat infections. Her work spans from fundamental microbiology through to translational and preclinical research, with a particular emphasis on diabetes-related foot disease, and wound healing outcomes. She has extensive experience designing and conducting in vitro and in vivo infection models to study host–pathogen interactions, biofilm behaviour, and antimicrobial efficacy.

Angela's research currently continues on the path towards real-world impact where she got the opportunity to support the translation of an innovative antibiotic-free treatment, from the lab to animal studies and clinical trials. Through collaboration between the University of Adelaide (TQEH/BHI) and the University of South Australia (Future Institute Industries), her PhD study aims to develop a novel antiseptic cleanser for management of wound infections as part of an awarded MRFF grant. This has the potential to improve quality of life of patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers and can save costs for expensive wound management and infection control. It may even reduce the amount of antibiotics required for patients. Looking ahead, Angela hopes to bring this therapy closer to clinical use and continue finding practical solutions to some of medicine’s toughest problems.

Angela holds a master’s degree in medical microbiology (Research) from Universiti Putra Malaysia, where her research examined the antibiofilm and therapeutic potential of postbiotic compounds against Candida species using in vitro and in vivo models of vulvovaginal candidiasis. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed international publications and presented her work at national and international conferences. Angela is experienced in multidisciplinary collaboration, contributing to experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, and is strongly motivated by translational research that bridges laboratory discoveries with clinically relevant solutions.

Currently, as a student intern at CMAX Clinical Research, Angela is evaluating the feasibility of midline catheter insertion in tattooed participants, overseeing project coordination, data collection, analysis, and reporting.