Rate My Professor Matthew McNeil

McNeil’s research utilizes bacterial genetics and functional genomics to investigate bacterial metabolism, physiology, and antimicrobial drug resistance, with a primary emphasis on Mycobacterium tuberculosis to identify novel drug targets and strategies against resistance. His work explores molecular forces driving the evolution of resistance, collateral drug susceptibilities, and vulnerabilities in resistant strains. Notable publications include “The evolution of antibiotic resistance is associated with collateral drug phenotypes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis” (Nature Communications, 2023), “A dual-targeting succinate dehydrogenase and F1 Fo-ATP synthase inhibitor rapidly sterilizes replicating and non-replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis” (Cell Chemical Biology, 2024), “Whole genome CRISPRi screening identifies druggable vulnerabilities in an isoniazid resistant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis” (Nature Communications, 2024), “Antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis alters tolerance to cell wall-targeting inhibitors” (JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance, 2024), and “Utilization of CRISPR Interference To Validate MmpL3 as a Drug Target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis” (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2019). McNeil has delivered seminars, such as in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. He has received the Sir Charles Hercus Fellowship from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Early Career Award for Distinction in Research from the University of Otago, and a 2025 Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship from the Royal Society Te Apārangi. His contributions advance understanding of tuberculosis drug resistance and support global efforts in antimicrobial research.