Meet 2023 Young Microbiologist of the Year finalist: Safi Rehman

Posted on September 26, 2023   by Microbiology Society

The Sir Howard Dalton Young Microbiologist of the Year Prize is awarded by the Society each year. The prize recognises and rewards excellence in science communication by a Microbiology Society member who is a postgraduate student or postdoctoral researcher, having gained their PhD in the last two years. In the lead up to the final, taking place on 3 October 2023, we will be getting to know each of the finalists in this blog series.

Safi Rehman (Queen’s University Belfast, UK)

What are your current research interests?

My research interests are in host pathogen interactions, looking at how pathogens cause dysfunction in host cells and how the host cells respond and defend against invading pathogens. My research is focused around interactions between Klebsiella pneumoniae and endothelial cells, both in vitro with human pulmonary endothelial cells as well as in an ex vivo system to observe arterial function in the presence of Klebsiella infection. With combined expertise of supporting labs in microbiology and vascular physiology, we can observe pathogen induced host dysfunction in pressurised, vasoactive blood vessels.

What is the theme of your talk?

My talk is based around the infection dynamics of K. pneumoniae and endothelial cells, showing intracellular K. pneumoniae survival and a novel endothelial cell defence mechanism that expels the intracellular bacteria from host cells. My talk will also describe the impact of K. pneumoniae infection on ex vivo rat arteries, showing a novel mechanism by which K. pneumoniae induces endothelium dysfunction in a Type VI secretion system dependent mechanism, affecting overall vascular function.

How would you explain your research to a GCSE student?

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that causes hard to treat infections due to its resistance to antibiotics. It is known to cause pneumonia but also is a frequent cause of bloodstream infections that progress to sepsis, a rapidly deteriorating state. Since blood vessels supply all the organs in the body, bloodstream infections often have serious complications due to inflammation that disrupts blood flow to end organs, resulting in the organs dying due to inflammation induced tissue damage and oxygen starvation. Endothelial cells, lining our blood vessels, are the primary regulators of blood vessel function and one of the first contacts of pathogens invading the bloodstream, their dysfunction is what primarily leads to the various symptoms seen in sepsis. My research revolves around figuring out how bacteria like K. pneumoniae, might be able to induce endothelial dysfunction as well as how the endothelial cells protect against invading bacteria.

If you weren’t a microbiologist, what would you be?

I have always had a keen interest in physics, especially Astro and Quantum physics. In fact, I had planned to study it in undergrad, but my interest in medicine won over by a tiny margin. So perhaps in another universe, I’m stuck solving equations. (I guess I’m stuck doing that right now too?...).

Why is it important for you to be a member of the Microbiology Society?

I view the Society as a community, which allows me to stay in touch with old colleagues and friends but also make new ones! Being able to discuss the research being done in the various events hosted by the Society, is crucial for personal and professional development for an early career researcher. The Society also plays a huge part in funding opportunities to attend various events, but also to host your own with support from the Society.