First Members Panel announced
25 January 2022
The Microbiology Society is delighted to announce the composition of its first Members Panel. The Members Panel is a group of microbiologists from underrepresented communities who convene to bring their perspectives to the Society’s efforts to ensure it is welcoming across all its activities.
The Members Panel enables us to expand the diversity of perspectives represented at decision-making level by providing a platform for members from minoritised ethnic and racial groups, members who are disabled, and members from other marginalised backgrounds to convene.
We are proud to welcome the following members to the Panel:
| Aisha Baba Dikwa | Research Associate, University of Manchester, UK |
| Aliyah Debbonaire | Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Aberystwyth University, UK |
| Anjam Khan | Director, Infectious Diseases Facility, Newcastle University, UK |
| Arindam Mitra | Professor of Microbiology, Adamas University, India |
| Edward Cunningham-Oakes (co-Chair) | Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Liverpool, UK |
| I’ah Donovan Banfield | PhD Student, University of Liverpool, UK |
| Jordan Murray | PhD Student, University of Strathclyde, UK |
| Karen Campos Leon | Currently on a career break |
| Kevin Maringer (co-Chair) | Group Leader, The Pirbright Institute, UK |
| Kirsty Jones | PhD Student, Staffordshire University, UK |
| Prerna Vohra | Lecturer in Microbiology, University of Edinburgh, UK |
| Roshan Nepal | PhD Student, University of Adelaide, Australia |
The Members Panel will be co-chaired by Dr Kevin Maringer, Group Leader in Flavivirus Transmission and Pathogenesis at The Pirbright Institute, UK, and Dr Ed Cunningham Oakes, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Liverpool, UK. The co-chairs will work with the General Secretary’s Group to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion matters continue to be appropriately considered at the highest level of Society governance.
For more information about the Society’s work on equality, diversity and inclusion please visit the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion area our website. For questions regarding the Members Panel please contact our Head of Membership and Professional Development, Maria Fernandes.
If you’d like to get more involved with Society activities, why not arrange a Member Chat today?