Peter Wildy Prize Winner Q&As

Learn more about the Peter Wildy recipients contributions to microbiology education which led them to winning the award, what made them pursue a career in science and what winning the prize means to them in our series of Q&A interviews below.

Prize Winner Q&A – Professor Iruka N Okeke

The 2023 Peter Wildy Prize was awarded to Professor Iruka N Okeke for her study of bacteria genomes to understand how their specific characteristics make people sick, how they share genes amongst one another and how they change over time.
Prize Winner Q&A – Dr Diane Ashiru-Oredope

The 2022 Peter Wildy Prize was awarded to Dr Diane Ashiru-Oredope for her work in professional engagement and public action in tacking antimicrobial resistance. In this interview, she talks about her career in pharmacy and science communication, proudest achievement to day and how she felt winning this prize.
Prize Winner Q&A – Dr Elisabeth Bik

The 2021 Peter Wildy Prize was awarded to Dr Elisabeth Bik for her work in scientific communication and research integrity. In this interview, we learn more about her career journey and why she has always been interested in communicating science.
Prize Winner Q&A – Professor Graham Hatfull

The 2020 Peter Wildy Prize was awarded to Professor Graham Hatfull for developing educational initiatives in microbiology. In this interview, he expands on why his research is important and what winning the Prize meant to him.
Prize Lecture Q&A – Professor Laura Bowater

The 2019 Peter Wildy Prize was awarded to Professor Laura Bowater who was recognized for her science outreach and public engagement experience. In this interview she tells us more about how the Microbiology Society has helped throughout her career and what it feels like to win the Prize.
Prize Winner Q&A - Dr Tansy Hammarton

The 2018 Peter Wildy Prize Lecture was awarded to Dr Tansy Hammarton who has a long career in scientific outreach activities, working for over a decade to develop material that engages with a wide variety of audiences, as well as teaching educators about public engagement activities. In this interview she tells us more about what winning the prize meant to her.
Prize Winner Q&A – Professor Wendy Barclay

The 2016 Peter Wildy Prize Lecture was awarded to Professor Wendy Barclay in recognition of her work to inform the public about the real and perceived risks of pandemic flu and ensuring an open debate for gain of function virology studies. In this interview she tells us more about her work in the field of virology her favourite aspects of outreach.
Prize Winner Q&A– Dr Simon Park

The 2015 Peter Wildy Prize Lecture was awarded to Dr Simon Park for his collaborations with artists to produce paintings using living coloured bacteria. In this interview we learn more about how he is bringing art and science together and what winning the prize meant to him.
Prize Winner Q&A– Professor Stephen Curry

The 2014 Peter Wildy Prize lecture was awarded to Professor Stephen Curry for his outstanding contributions to microbiology education and communication in order to stimulate interest and understanding in the subject.