Esther Robinson

Dr Esther Robinson is head of UKHSA’s national TB unit, a consultant clinical microbiologist and clinical lead for the National Mycobacterial Reference Service. She was previously the Consultant in Public Health Infection for the English Midlands, with broad expertise in clinical and public health infection specialties.

She was instrumental in the implementation of whole-genome sequencing for mycobacteria in the Reference Service and continues to lead on its application and development for clinical and public health use. She co-authored the 2021-6 collaborative TB Action Plan and co-chairs the implementation and oversight group.

Dr Robinson is the mycobacterial theme lead for the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in collaboration between UKHSA and Imperial College London. She has ongoing research interests in mycobacterial diagnostics and public health, including whole-genome sequencing, TB transmission and non-tuberculous mycobacteria.