Fig. 02 · Suitcase
No. 03 · Travel hygiene
Suitcase wheels and airport surfaces
InsureandGo, 2025. Swabbing of suitcase wheels, base panels and handles after typical travel through airports, taxis and hotels.
Read study§ Microbiologist · BSc (Hons), Nottingham · 2020
Amy-May Pointer
Microbiologist. I design, conduct and analyse swabbing studies, working alongside journalists, PR agencies and consumer brands.
Fig. 01 · Microbiologist
Featured in
Travel + Leisure
Daily Mail
Reader's Digest
The Sun
Yahoo
UNILAD
06
Studies completed
20+
Press features
05
Countries syndicated
2020
BSc (Hons), Nottingham
§ 01 / Research
Studies
Fig. 03 · Hairbrush
No. 02 · Beauty hygiene
Hairbrushes and beauty tools
Champneys, 2022. Microbial growth on bristles, base plates and handles, interpreted against cleaning frequency.
Read studyFig. 04 · Makeup brush
No. 01 · Beauty hygiene
Makeup brushes
PrettyLittleThing, 2020. CFU counts and presumptive identification across foundation, powder and eye brushes from in-use kits.
Read studyFig. 05 · Home gym
No. 04 · Home and fitness
Home gym surfaces
Garage Gym Reviews, 2024. Swabbing of dumbbells, benches, mats and door handles under typical home use.
Read studyFig. 06 · Research
No. 00 · Research
ESBL-producing E. coli
Dissertation research, University of Nottingham, 2020. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and characterisation of resistance patterns.
Read studyFig. 07 · Embargoed
No. 05 · In progress
Bacteria in cars
Forthcoming, 2026. Swabbing of vehicle interiors and high-contact controls. Available for partner brand collaboration on release.
§ 02 / Press
Coverage
Full press log
[01]
InsureandGo— Germs on the go: bacterial study reveals our suitcases are dirtier than the toilet.
[02]
Travel + Leisure— Your suitcase is dirtier than a public toilet seat.
[03]
Reader's Digest— The common travel item dirtier than a toilet seat.
[04]
Yahoo Lifestyle— The dirtiest spot on your suitcase, according to a microbiologist.
[05]
Travel Tomorrow— Your suitcase has more bacteria than public toilets.
[06]
VITA Daily— Your suitcase is filthier than a toilet seat — heres how to clean it.
[07]
AOL Lifestyle— The one spot you should never put your suitcase in your hotel room.
[08]
Garage Gym Reviews— Home gym germs: how dirty is your gym?
[09]
The Sun— Cleaning expert says youve been washing your brushes all wrong.
[10]
Champneys— The dirt on beauty tools.
[11]
Professional Beauty— A third of Brits have never cleaned their beauty tools.
[12]
Daily Mail— Microbiologist reveals risks of bacteria on makeup brushes.
[13]
Belfast Live— Makeup brush cleaning highlighted in microbiology study.
[14]
BeautyHeaven— A microbiologist confirms the gross types of bacteria on our makeup brushes.
Coverage list updated periodically. Additional syndication on request.
§ 03 / Engagement
Services
S.01
Swabbing studies
Designed, conducted and analysed end to end. Sampling protocol, lab work, presumptive identification and CFU analysis, packaged for press use.
S.02
Expert commentary
Quotes for editorial features, broadcast contributions and on-record commentary across hygiene, beauty, travel and home topics.
S.03
Press review
Pre-release scientific check on press materials, ensuring claims are accurate, defensible and responsibly framed.
§ 04 / Profile
About
Amy-May Pointer holds a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology from the University of Nottingham. She designs and conducts swabbing studies, analyses the data, and partners with journalists, PR agencies and consumer brands to bring the findings into public view responsibly.
Before consumer microbiology, Amy worked across Alzheimer's research, medicinal mushroom testing and environmental microbiology. Her dissertation examined ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, contributing to ongoing public health work on antimicrobial resistance.
Her studies have been featured in publications across the United Kingdom, the United States and internationally.
Background
- BSc (Hons) Microbiology, Nottingham
- Antimicrobial resistance research
- Alzheimer's disease research
- Medicinal mushroom testing
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health microbiology
Approach
- Presumptive ID labelled as such
- Limitations stated clearly
- No fear-led framing
- Accessible language without overstating risk
Fig. 08 · Degree certificate
Credentials
BSc (Hons) Microbiology
Awarded by the University of Nottingham, July 2020.
Amy's academic background covers antimicrobial resistance, environmental microbiology, public health microbiology and laboratory technique. Her dissertation focused on ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, examined under the guidance of the School of Life Sciences.
§ 05 / Contact
Direct enquiries
For expert commentary, campaign collaborations, study commissions or research enquiries.
Email
amymaypointer@gmail.com
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/amy-may-p-9530a9159
Instagram
@amymaybio