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All times are British Summertime (BST, GMT+1:00hr)
Recognising, and adapting to, a new era of microbiological challenges and anticipating solutions to future problems are the tenets of todays applied microbiologist.
Many of us are researching ways to improve human health by discovering new treatments and novel ways of making chemicals and medicines. Others are investigating safe, secure and sustainable food production; ways to protect our environment and provide safe drinking water whilst at the same time, promoting the one health approach. The list goes on.
Microbiology is more than just a day job: we are all seeking to understand how biological processes work in our tiny friends and then hone our skills to achieve the impossible with the invisible.
Collaboration is key to our discipline and this collaboration, like the microbes themselves, cannot recognise geographical boundaries. They must cross continents, languages and many other barriers in order to have real global impact.
We hope the SfAM International Applied Microbiology Conference will contribute to this new era of collaboration and communication. It has been organised by a group of international scientists for a global audience and in its free-to-all and virtual form, enables collaboration and attendance like no other SfAM event.
But the event will only be effective with the right audience – so register today and actively participate to help us help you to make new connections, gain new skills and advance the science of applied microbiology.
Be sure to check back (and maybe even bookmark this page), as we will be adding even more to the programme.
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations
ECS Presentations
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations
9am – 10.10am BST, 7 June 2021 ‐ 1 hour 10 mins
ECS Presentations
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations are an opportunity for scientists who are beginning their career to showcase their recent work. The project being presented does not have to be complete, but it’s a great way to practice presenting in a friendly, supportive environment.
These special sessions are dedicated to early career researchers working on applied microbiology projects. In the sessions, researchers have the opportunity to present flash oral talks on their work in a 3-minute time slot. You will be given a chance to vote for the Best Flash Presentation Award during the session and prizes will be announced at the end of the conference.
Session 1 (9:00 - 9:30 AM BST)
ECS Flash Presenations: Jenny Litter (United Kingdom), Jacob Hamilton (United Kingdom), Sarah Needs (United Kingdom), Brendan Gilbride (United Kingdom), Johnathan Rigby (United Kingdom), Olumuyiwa Ayokunle Igbalajobi (Canada). Keynote Speaker: Nida Ali (India).
Session 2 (9:30 - 10:10 AM BST)
ECS Flash Presenations: Kelly Parkin (United Kingdom), Sujata Baidya (Nepal), Diana Rocio Andrade-Linares (German), Samuel Eziuzor (Nigeria), Hollie Shaw (United Kingdom). Keynote Speaker: Erin Magee (United Kingdom).
Thinking about making a move to the UK?
Panel Discussion
Thinking about making a move to the UK?
12.30pm – 1.15pm BST, 7 June 2021 ‐ 45 mins
Panel Discussion
Moving abroad to further your career or for postgraduate study can often seem like a no-brainer. You experience a different country and culture, meet new people and perhaps even learn a new language.
However, it is not a decision to be taken lightly and for anybody thinking about moving to a new country (or for those recently moved), come and join our panel as they share their stories, give insightful tips and answer your questions on making what could turn out to be the biggest decision of your life.
Speakers
Patricia Minnis
Dr Gisli Einarsson - Lung/gut microbiome interactions of respiratory infections
Keynote Presentations
Dr Gisli Einarsson - Lung/gut microbiome interactions of respiratory infections
3.30pm – 4pm BST, 7 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Keynote session: Lung/gut microbiome interactions of respiratory infectionsSpeakers
Professor Daniel Czyz - The human microbiome and its role in disease and infection
Keynote Presentations
Professor Daniel Czyz - The human microbiome and its role in disease and infection
4pm – 4.30pm BST, 7 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Keynote Talk: Microbial contribution to neurodegenerative diseases
Speakers
Professor Julia Oh - The Human Skin Microbiome: Metagenomes to Therapeutics
Keynote Presentations
Professor Julia Oh - The Human Skin Microbiome: Metagenomes to Therapeutics
4.30pm – 5pm BST, 7 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Jack Gilbert - Microbial Systems Ecology in Global Soils: lessons for agricultural practice
Keynote Presentations
Professor Jack Gilbert - Microbial Systems Ecology in Global Soils: lessons for agricultural practice
5.30pm – 6.15pm BST, 7 June 2021 ‐ 45 mins
Keynote Presentations
Former SfAM WH Pierce Prize winner and renowned microbiome researcher Professor Jack Gilbert joins us to end the day with a special lecture and Q&A session.Speakers
Professor Han Wösten - Latest advancements in the fungal production and applications of bioplastics
Keynote Presentations
Professor Han Wösten - Latest advancements in the fungal production and applications of bioplastics
9am – 9.30am BST, 8 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Dr Lewis White - Developing novel diagnostic tools in mycology
Keynote Presentations
Dr Lewis White - Developing novel diagnostic tools in mycology
9.30am – 10.15am BST, 8 June 2021 ‐ 45 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Dr Sarah Glaven - Living biofilms for sense and respond with electrical current
Keynote Presentations
Dr Sarah Glaven - Living biofilms for sense and respond with electrical current
10.15am – 10.45am BST, 8 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Transcriptome analysis: introduction to RNA-Seq with the Kallisto and Sleuth workflows
Skills & Techniques
Transcriptome analysis: introduction to RNA-Seq with the Kallisto and Sleuth workflows
2pm – 3pm BST, 8 June 2021 ‐ 1 hour
Skills & Techniques
This workshop will serve as an introduction to RNA-Seq using the Kallisto and Sleuth software packages. Using the pseudoalignment approach, this straightforward workflow greatly simplifies RNA-Seq analysis without compromising accuracy. This workshop will answer questions about using these approaches and include hands-on demonstrations with microbial data that will get participants familiar with starting to use these packages with their own data.
To follow along, we suggest obtaining a FREE CyVerse account prior to the workshop: (https://user.cyverse.org/). (Please choose Society for Applied Microbiology, as your affiliation)
Pre-requisites: Basic knowledge of R will be helpful. If you have little or no familiarity with R, we believe you will be able to follow along with the example exercises, but you may need additional support post-workshop to apply what you have learned on your own.
Speakers
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations
ECS Presentations
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations
4pm – 5.10pm BST, 8 June 2021 ‐ 1 hour 10 mins
ECS Presentations
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations are an opportunity for scientists who are beginning their career to showcase their recent work. The project being presented does not have to be complete, but it’s a great way to practice presenting in a friendly, supportive environment.
These special sessions are dedicated to early career researchers working on applied microbiology projects. In the sessions, researchers have the opportunity to present flash oral talks on their work in a 3-minute time slot. You will be given a chance to vote for the Best Flash Presentation Award during the session and prizes will be announced at the end of the conference.
Session 3 (4:00 - 4:30 PM BST)
ECS Flash Presenations: Alice Seleiro (United Kingdom), Marta Filipa Simões (China), Ajoke Akindolire (South Africa), Terumbur Rachael Duche (Nigeria), E-Ming Rau (Norway). Keynote Speaker: Hamidah Itha'atur Rif'ah (Indonesia).
Session 4 (4:30 - 5:10 PM BST)
ECS Flash Presenations: Mahmoud Elkhouly (United Kingdom), Laura Atkinson (United Kingdom), Mohamad Alkhaaldi (United Arab Emirates), Abdulrazaq Nuhu (Nigeria), Bolaji Bosede Oluremi (Nigeria). Keynote Speaker: Pavani Hashara Senarathne (Sri Lanka).
Yebeen Ysabelle Boo - Better ways of delivering antimicrobial stewardship in low-middle income countries: a case study using Indonesia.
Keynote Presentations
Yebeen Ysabelle Boo - Better ways of delivering antimicrobial stewardship in low-middle income countries: a case study using Indonesia.
9am – 9.30am BST, 9 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Dr Adam Roberts - How COVID-19 is accelerating the threat of antimicrobial resistance
Keynote Presentations
Dr Adam Roberts - How COVID-19 is accelerating the threat of antimicrobial resistance
9.30am – 10am BST, 9 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
An SfAM investigation into the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance
Panel Discussion
An SfAM investigation into the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance
10.45am – 11am BST, 9 June 2021 ‐ 15 mins
Panel Discussion
“COVID-19 is like a lobster dropped into boiling water, causing immediate suffering and noise. AMR is the lobster in cold water, slowly heating up and eventually leading to more devastation. COVID-19 has to be the world’s wake-up call to take the AMR lobster out of the pot.” – Professor Dame Sally Davies
Listen to the producers of SfAM's investigation into the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance and find out what they discovered.
WH Pierce Prize Award Lecture - Dr Joan Geoghegan
Presentation
WH Pierce Prize Award Lecture - Dr Joan Geoghegan
11am – 11.30am BST, 9 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Presentation
This prestigious prize is awarded each year to an early career microbiologist who has made a substantial contribution to the science of applied microbiology. It is worth £6,000 and the recipients do not have to be existing SfAM members.
The award was instituted in 1984 by the directors of Oxoid to commemorate the life and works of the late WH (Bill) Pierce, former Chief Bacteriologist of Oxo Ltd and a long-time member of the Society. Application is through nomination by members of the Society only. The nomination form for the 2021 prize will open after the Award Lecture.
Speakers
Dr Tiziana Di Martino - How medical technologies can contribute to fight AMR
Keynote Presentations
Dr Tiziana Di Martino - How medical technologies can contribute to fight AMR
12pm – 12.30pm BST, 9 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest global public health challenges of our time. These infections cause significant mortality and put extememe pressure on health systems. Medical technologies, such as rapid AST, contribute to the fight by preventing, detecting, monitoring and managing both infections and resistance.
Speakers
Rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing
Skills & Techniques
Rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing
12.30pm – 1pm BST, 9 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Skills & Techniques
This workshop is designed to challenge participants to discuss what considerations should be covered when adding newly developed technology to a laboratory setting. From basic specifications through to the psychology of change, the success of implementing new process relies, not just on the performance of the technology but on multiple, often less well considered additional factors. This is particularly so in more regulated workspaces.
Attendees will be introduced to an example of a new innovation in the healthcare setting that is conceptually advantageous but asked to consider and discuss what other factors would play a role in successful implementation
There are no pre-requisites to attend this session.
Speakers
Microbiology & immersive multimedia: visualising microbes and their activities
Skills & Techniques
Microbiology & immersive multimedia: visualising microbes and their activities
9am – 10am BST, 10 June 2021 ‐ 1 hour
Skills & Techniques
The realisation of microbiology literacy in society can be facilitated by incorporating it into education curricula. Overcoming the challenge of visualizing the invisible world of microbes can be achieved through the appropriate multimedia teaching aids (MTAs)
Guidelines for the assessment and creation of adequate MTAs for educational purposes are discussed in this session with some fantastic examples of best practice.
Speakers
James Timmis
Nicole van der Burgt
Roderick van Beek
Diana Spijkerman
Bob Hermanns
Sem Barendse
Things I wish I knew when I was applying for a grant
Panel Discussion
Things I wish I knew when I was applying for a grant
10am – 10.40am BST, 10 June 2021 ‐ 40 mins
Panel Discussion
Have you ever wondered where to start when it comes to writing a grant application? Not sure where to start on making a budget or worried you won't be able to convince funders to give you a grant?
Dr Helena Wells and Dr Kate Mills from the Wellcome Trust will be answering these questions and many more in this specially-created workshop for IAMC 2021 attendees! Attend this session for top tips on grant writing, a behind-the-scenes look at the application process, and how best to maximise your chances of being accepted for grants.
Speakers
Professor Sharon Peacock - Emergence, spread and implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Keynote Presentations
Professor Sharon Peacock - Emergence, spread and implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants
3pm – 3.45pm BST, 10 June 2021 ‐ 45 mins
Keynote Presentations
Keynote Talk: Emergence, spread and implications of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Speakers
Professor Norbert Pardi - Development of new generation vaccines using nucleoside-modified mRNA
Keynote Presentations
Professor Norbert Pardi - Development of new generation vaccines using nucleoside-modified mRNA
3.45pm – 4.15pm BST, 10 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Hrishikesh Kulkarni - Complement activation in SARS-CoV2 infection
Keynote Presentations
Professor Hrishikesh Kulkarni - Complement activation in SARS-CoV2 infection
4.15pm – 4.45pm BST, 10 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Dennis Burton - A demonstrable proof of principle for a new vaccine concept for HIV
Keynote Presentations
Professor Dennis Burton - A demonstrable proof of principle for a new vaccine concept for HIV
5.30pm – 6pm BST, 10 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Could a new vaccine candidate really be a gamechanger? Promising results from a recent phase 1 clinical trial suggest we may be able to drive immune responses in predictable ways and significantly speed up the pace of vaccine research.
Speakers
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations
ECS Presentations
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations
9am – 10.10am BST, 11 June 2021 ‐ 1 hour 10 mins
ECS Presentations
Early Career Scientist Flash Presentations are an opportunity for scientists who are beginning their career to showcase their recent work. The project being presented does not have to be complete, but it’s a great way to practice presenting in a friendly, supportive environment.
These special sessions are dedicated to early career researchers working on applied microbiology projects. In the sessions, researchers have the opportunity to present flash oral talks on their work in a 3-minute time slot. You will be given a chance to vote for the Best Flash Presentation Award during the session and prizes will be announced at the end of the conference.
Session 5 (9:00 - 9:30 AM BST)
ECS Flash Presenations: Marciane Magnani (Brazil), Yemisi Adefunke Jeff-Agboola (Nigeria), Urszula Zarzecka (Poland), Li Sa Choo (United Kingdom), Muralidharan Velappan (India). Keynote Speaker: Lydia Palaiodimou (United Kingdom).
Session 6 (9:30 - 10:10 AM BST)
ECS Flash Presenations: Ruchita Balasubramanian (United Kingdom), Busiswa Ndaba (South Africa), Caleb Marsh (United Kingdom), Priya Selvam (India), Jordanne-Amee Maybin (United Kingdom). Keynote Speaker: Jemma May Franklin (United Kingdom).
Dr Angela Parry-Hanson Kunadu - The risk of antimicrobial resistance pathogens: case study of Salmonella serovars in poultry value chains in Ghana
Keynote Presentations
Dr Angela Parry-Hanson Kunadu - The risk of antimicrobial resistance pathogens: case study of Salmonella serovars in poultry value chains in Ghana
3pm – 3.30pm BST, 11 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Remco Kort - A decade of research and development with a probiotic starter culture in East Africa
Keynote Presentations
Professor Remco Kort - A decade of research and development with a probiotic starter culture in East Africa
3.30pm – 4pm BST, 11 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Kalmia Kniel -Health People, Health Planet: Preventive Food Safety and Irrigation Water Sustainability
Keynote Presentations
Professor Kalmia Kniel -Health People, Health Planet: Preventive Food Safety and Irrigation Water Sustainability
4pm – 4.30pm BST, 11 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Jeffrey LeJeune - Addressing AMR from a food safety perspective
Keynote Presentations
Professor Jeffrey LeJeune - Addressing AMR from a food safety perspective
4.30pm – 5pm BST, 11 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
Keynote Presentations
Speakers
Professor Jeffrey LeJeune
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
ECS Flash Presentation Awards and Conference Close
ECS Presentations
ECS Flash Presentation Awards and Conference Close
5pm – 5.30pm BST, 11 June 2021 ‐ 30 mins
ECS Presentations
Speakers
This event is CPD certified, and attendees will recieve a certificate via email after the event. You must book and fully attend at least one of the workshop/panel discussion sessions throughout the conference to obtain your certificate. We will not be able to make exceptions.
International Conference Committee
Zina Alfahl
Postdoctoral Researcher, National University of Ireland
Binod Rayamajhee
Researcher, University of New South Wales, Australia
Jennifer Acuff
International Conference Committee Member , Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas in Fayetteville
Mitesh Shrestha
Research Co-ordinator, Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Nepal
Kwabena Duedu
AMI International Conference Committee Member , Associate Professor, University of Health and Allied Sciences
Chika Ejikeugwu
AMI International Conference Committee Member , Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
Melissa Fallon
AMI International Conference Committee Member
Akpan M. Friday
AMI International Conference Committee Member , University of Abuja
Yemisi Jeff-Agboola
AMI International Conference Committee Chair, Lecturer, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria
Tom Stanton
AMI International Conference Committee Secretary, Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Supram Hosuru Subramanya
AMI International Conference Committee Member , Manipal College of Medical Sciences
Ekene Umego
AMI International Conference Committee Member , PhD Student, Technological University Dublin
Łukasz Wajda
AMI International Conference Committee Member , BioLyo Technologies
Zina Alfahl
Postdoctoral Researcher, National University of Ireland
Zina joined the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast, UK in September 2018 to purse her PhD degree in the relationship between airway microbiome composition, inflammation and clinical outcomes in patients with Bronchiectasis. In 2018, Zina acquired a BSc (Hons) in Pharmacy from Al Ain University of Science and Technology, UAE. In 2019, she was awarded the Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) award. Zina is currently the Postgraduate Chair and acting as a student representative member at the SWAN SAT team for gender equality at the School of Pharmacy, QUB. Zina is interested in engaging with scientific community and in promoting microbiology.
- Twitter:
- @AlfahlZina
Binod Rayamajhee
Researcher, University of New South Wales, Australia
Binod joined the School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW, Sydney in March 2020 to pursue his PhD project on corneal infection focusing Acanthamoeba keratitis under the supervision of Dr Nicole Carnt and Prof Mark Willcox of UNSW, Sydney and Prof Fiona L. Henriquez from the Infection and Microbiology Research Group at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). Binod holds a Master’s in medical microbiology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal in 2017. After completion of his master, Binod worked in different organisations in his home country focusing on infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and infection control where he has cofounded a research institute in 2017 targeting infectious diseases and has received some noteworthy grants in the past. Binod has profound interest in interdisciplinary collaboration with diverse groups of people for open science, science advocacy, and science for all so, advocating, and championing for translational research are particular interests of Binod outside of his laboratory walls. On the same note, he has served as a community Ambassador of eLife Sciences Publications Ltd., UK (2019 - 2020) and an international representative for the Early Career Scientists (ECS) Committee, AMI (2018 - 2019).
- Twitter:
- @RayamajheeBinod
Jennifer Acuff
International Conference Committee Member , Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas in Fayetteville
Jennifer Acuff is an assistant professor in food safety and microbiology at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA. She acquired a B.S. in Biology from Abilene Christian University in Texas and a Master’s in Food Microbiology from Kansas State University. In 2020, Jennifer graduated from Virginia Tech with a Ph.D. in Food Safety and Microbiology. Jennifer has been passionate about food safety for many years, working in research areas related to beef, ready-to-eat foods, and low-water activity foods. Her research primarily focuses on intervention technologies designed to reduce pathogen contamination at the post-harvest level. Jennifer’s university appointment also allows her to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as well as engage with her local community on food safety issues. Happy and eager to approach food safety from a holistic perspective that addresses research, education, and consumer food safety, Jennifer hopes her work can be applicable to both food processors and consumers.
- Twitter:
- @JenniferAcuff
Mitesh Shrestha
Research Co-ordinator, Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology, Nepal
Mitesh holds an M.Sc. degree in Biotechnology from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He is currently the Research Coordinator at Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology (RIBB), Nepal. Apart from research, he also devotes some of his time to academia as an adjunct lecturer for molecular biology and genetic engineering at the Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University. He has received several national and international research grants to focus on antimicrobial resistance as well as neglected tropical diseases such as Leishmaniasis. His current research focuses on understanding the prevalence and distribution of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in raw fruits and vegetables.
Kwabena Duedu
AMI International Conference Committee Member , Associate Professor, University of Health and Allied Sciences
Kwabena Duedu received a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science and an MPhil in Microbiology from the University of Ghana before pursuing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh in 2012. He worked on engineering novel microbial systems for bioconversion of cellulosic biomass in the laboratory of Prof. Christopher French at the Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology. Following his PhD, he took up a Lecturership position at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana where he also leads a research group focused on using third generation sequencing to understand microbial ecology and evolution. Specifically, he conducts research on understanding the role of the microbiome in sickle cell disease as well as using a one health and metagenomics approach to investigate distribution and spread of antibiotic resistance in Ghana. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his lab set up a testing centre that is currently providing SARS-CoV-2 testing for two of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana and some adjoining communities in other regions. His lab is also investigative the genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana’s Eastern Corridor, as well as developing metagenomics-based diagnostics for fever and other disease conditions. He is a TIBA-AAS (TIBA is the NIHR Global Health Research Unit Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa and the AAS is the African Academy of Sciences) Out of Africa Fellow with the University of Edinburgh. His research under the TIBA-AAS programme is aimed at detecting infectious aetiology of fever from critically ill children using nanopore sequencing and metagenomics in Ghana. Kwabena is passionate about building biomedical research capabilities in Africa.
- Twitter:
- @KwabenaDuedu
Chika Ejikeugwu
AMI International Conference Committee Member , Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
Chika Ejikeugwu (Ph.D.) is a MIF Research Fellow. He had postdoctoral training on HIV-1 at the Laboratory of Infectious Disease Model, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (2018). He holds a PhD. in Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria (2017). Dr. Chika Ejikeugwu is a tutor with Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. He joined the Department of Applied Microbiology in 2014, where he enjoys working closely with undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them develop their own passions for microbiology, research, teaching and other aspects of life. Dr. Chika Ejikeugwu is also an Adjunct Senior Lecturer with the Department of Microbiology, Coal City University, Emene, Enugu, Nigeria. His areas of research interest include antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infectious diseases, novel drug discovery, HIV-1, bacteriology, virology.
He was selected winner of the 2020 Edition of the Prof. Oyewale Tomori National Young Scientists’ Prize in Microbiology by the Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) because of his outstanding contributions in the field of microbiology in Nigeria and across Africa. In the academic/research front, Dr. Chika Ejikeugwu has trained and mentored a generation of manpower for the microbiology sector in Nigeria. He is currently active in programmes through which he impart the knowledge and skills in the field of microbiology he has accumulated over the years from both national and international institutions, on both students and researchers across the globe. The website (https://microbiologyclass.com/) he developed is currently helping to contribute to the corpus of knowledge in the field of microbiology, and specifically AMR in Nigeria, Africa and across the globe.
Melissa Fallon
AMI International Conference Committee Member
Melissa is a postdoctoral researcher at Cardiff University where she is developing drug delivery systems to improve the outcome of ocular fungal infections. Prior to this she gained her PhD also at Cardiff in collaboration with GAMA Healthcare to improve decontamination products to reduce outbreaks of healthcare associated infections. Melissa enjoys promoting microbiology through public engagement events such as Pint of Science and Soapbox science in Wales and currently sits on the engagement committee for the Cardiff Institute for Tissue Engineering and Repair (CITER).
Akpan M. Friday
AMI International Conference Committee Member , University of Abuja
Akpan M. Friday is a second year undergraduate microbiology student at the University of Abuja. He currently works with X-WOW, a social enterprise in the U.K aiming to establish a digital network to erase pathology borders. In a quest to envision basic microbiology knowledge in children and provide access to quality science education, he founded X-WOW Science Kids Club, an outreach group in Nigeria promoting microbial literacy and making microscopic equipment available to children in schools in underprivileged areas. He is also the initiator and coordinator of a Lecture Without Borders series that brings together microbiology literate professionals from different parts of the world to lecture students.
Friday also loves attending many online science programs. When not studying microbiology, he takes pleasure in reading motivational books and engaging in social impact projects.
- Twitter:
- @damiakpan
Yemisi Jeff-Agboola
AMI International Conference Committee Chair, Lecturer, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria
Dr. Yemisi Adefunke Jeff-Agboola is the Chair of the AMI International Conference Committee (ICC). She is a Lecturer at Biological Sciences and the Acting Director, Continuing Education Centre, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Auburn Unversity, USA, a post-doctoral visiting scholar at Ghent University, Belgium and University of Missouri, Columbia, USA. She holds a PhD in Food Microbiology with special interests in Mycotoxicology, Food Safety and Gender Responsive Agricultural Research. Yemisi is also the President and founder of “Voice of Women in the Development of Agriculture”, an Ambassador of the World Food Preservation Center and a peer review college member of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
Tom Stanton
AMI International Conference Committee Secretary, Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Tom obtained his BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Roehampton in 2015. Excited to put what he learned into practice, Tom became a microbiologist at Leatherhead Food Research working on a number of different food safety research projects and routine pathogen surveillance. However, with a passion for antimicrobial resistance, Tom took the microbiological skills he had learned and moved onto the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Project at Public Health England under Prof. David Livermore. It was while working for BSAC he observed the real threat of AMR and the lack of novel antimicrobials first-hand. Following a brief stint specialising in high-throughput short-read sequencing at PHE’s NGS lab, Tom undertook a PhD at the University of Edinburgh under Dr. Thamarai Schneiders. Following his passion, Tom’s project involves determining the mechanism of action and resistance to the novel antibiotic, cefiderocol.
- Twitter:
- @tomstantonmicro
Supram Hosuru Subramanya
AMI International Conference Committee Member , Manipal College of Medical Sciences
Dr. Supram HS is a medical microbiologist, with a Doctorate in Medical Microbiology from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India. Currently, he is working as Assistant Professor in MCOMS, Nepal. He is experienced in diagnostic microbiology and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate medical students. He is a member of the Infection Control Committee and Hospital Waste Management Committee at Manipal Teaching Hospital, Nepal. His area of research is infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (One-Health perspective), and emerging fungal infections. Since 2014, he has been working in various international collaborative research projects. His research yielded more than 45 publications in international medical journals.
He is also an active reviewer for several academic journals such as PlosOne, Lancet-ID, Frontiers, Journal of Chemotherapy, JAC-AMR, BMC series, EC Microbiology, AJMS, etc. He is serving as Academic Editor of PLoS ONE, Research Editor of JAC-AMR official journal of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and Section Editor in Nepal Journal of Epidemiology. Based on demonstrated excellence in research and commitment to advance society, Dr. Supram is appointed as International Young Ambassador for Science to Nepal from the American Society for Microbiology in 2020. He also received more than 20 awards for his research from various international scientific societies.
Ekene Umego
AMI International Conference Committee Member , PhD Student, Technological University Dublin
Ekene is a PhD Research Scholar at Technological University Dublin where he is working on resources assessment of the raw materials requirements, supply and by-product production in the Irish brewing and distilling sectors under the supervision of Dr. Catherine Barry Ryan and Ms. Marie Byrne. Ekene holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nigeria with a bias in food microbiology and processing. Prior to commencement of his doctoral studies at TU Dublin, he did one year of research at Jiangsu University, China where he worked on Ultrasound Assisted Fermentation focusing on ultrasound stimulation in the synthesis of protease enzyme using Bacillus subtilis under the tutelage of Professor Ronghai He. Outside of academics, Ekene is a volunteer for ARK Missions Outreach and is passionate about youth empowerment and social problems.
- Twitter:
- @princkencee
Łukasz Wajda
AMI International Conference Committee Member , BioLyo Technologies
Łukasz joined AMI in May 2020 as an International Member. He worked in the food industry before pursuing his scientific career, going on to complete his PhD at the University of Agriculture in Kraków, preparing his thesis entitled: "Identification of fungi dominant in apple and assessing the possibility of their inhibition by adding Arthrospira platensis to apple juices". During his PhD he collaborated with food manufacturers helping them to develop innovative products or to modify technological processes carried out in their companies. He also worked as a research assistant at Jagiellonian University in Kraków. Since he discovered his passion for molecular biology later on he worked in the molecular laboratory at the Oncology Centre in Kraków. Currently he is working as a Principal Investigator in the field of Microbiology at biotechnological company that focuses on the application of probiotics from human breastmilk in various products. He is also involved in other projects involving human cell lines and developing anticancer agents.