Early Career Microbiologist of the Year competition – Josephine Giard
Posted on June 11, 2025 by Josephine Giard
Meet the Josephine Giard, one of this year's Early Career Microbiologists of the Year finalists. We interviewed them to find out more about their experience as an early career microbiologist. The Early Career Microbiologist of the Year Award recognises excellence in science communication by a member who is an undergraduate, postgraduate student or within five years of appointment to their first position.
Josephine Giard
What are your current research interests?
I am interested in the effect of Rhizosphere bacteria on plant health and crop yield. I want to understand if introducing different bacteria to the Rhizosphere helps plants to deal with challenges caused by climate change such as drought, waterlogging, or fungal diseases. My project looks at modern bacteria and takes inspiration from ancient bacteria that were found on earth during much hotter periods, such as 10,000 and 120,000 years ago.
How has getting involved with Microbiology Society activities benefited your professional development?
The greatest benefit is the opportunity to network with others and meet interesting people. It is always fascinating to learn about somebody else’s research. As an early career scientist, The Microbiology Society events offer plenty of opportunities to present my own work as well. Previously, I was fortunate to get the chance at presenting posters and talks, which has helped me improve my communication skills. Over time, I have become less nervous about speaking in front of others.
As an early career microbiologist, what goals do you have for your career?
I would say I don’t have my career all figured out yet. I love working in the lab and I want to keep doing that for as long as possible. I could see myself move into a role where I can share my passion for science with others, especially young people, and get them interested in a microbiology career.
What do you love most about your job?
I enjoy spending the majority of my time in the lab working with bacteria. Everything is very hands on and I get the opportunity to try many different things. I love planning and executing experiments, even the ones that end up failing. I also like that every day is different and there are always new challenges that I need to overcome. It is a great feeling when things finally come together, and you get some nice results.
Why does microbiology matter?
Microbiology matters because it offers great solutions for problems from all parts of our lives. This can be making food and drink, developing or improving treatments for diseases, shaping and understanding our environment, or promoting sustainability through methods like reducing food waste and bioremediation. Over time, microbiology has allowed us to better understand how our world functions. On a personal note, my life would look very different if I didn’t have bacteria engineered to produce the insulin that I need to take every day!