Meet our Early Career Microbiologist of the Year 2024 Talk Finalists
01 October 2024
This year the Microbiology Society is awarding two Sir Howard Dalton Early Career Microbiologist of the Year prizes; with one poster winner and one talk winner. Both prizes recognise excellence in science communication by a member who is an undergraduate, postgraduate student or within five years of appointment to their first position.
We are pleased to introduce the 2024 talk finalists, who were selected at Annual Conference 2024 and will present their research to a panel of judges at the final taking place on 8 October 2024.
Meet each of the finalists and find out what they had to say after finding out they’ll be participating in the Sir Howard Dalton Early Career Microbiologist of the Year 2024 Talk Final.
Tabea Elsener from the University of Oxford, UK, was selected for the talk titled, Determinants of the spread of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase resistance in N. gonorrhoeae.
“To say that I was pleasantly surprised when I received the notification that I am one of the finalists for the Sir Howard Dalton Early Career Microbiologist of the Year Talk Presentation, would be a slight understatement. But by now, my lab mates seem to be used to me randomly jumping up and down in the lab from time to time. What an exciting opportunity to talk about my favourite topic of plasmid-mediated resistance in the WHO priority pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoea!”
Daniel Weir from MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, UK, was selected for the talk titled, Imaging of the intercellular spread of influenza A virus infection in vitro and in vivo reveals the importance of direct cell-to-cell spread.
“It feels incredibly special to have been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Sir Howard Dalton Early Career Microbiologist of the Year competition, so much so that upon receiving the news it was quite overwhelming. After a brief check that I read the email correctly, I have been able to share this excitement with all those who have supported me and my research for which there are many who do so selflessly. The microbiology society is such a rich source of exceptional science and to be an early career researcher who has always been embraced as part of this special community is a privilege. The feeling I have about being a part of this prestigious event is an extension of how I feel about how the Society continues to enrich my journey in science which is one of immense gratitude.”
Lucy Dillon from Queen's University Belfast, UK, was selected for the talk titled, Deciphering AMR phenotype predictions from functional genes: a machine learning approach.
“I was thrilled to be nominated as a finalist and deeply grateful to be selected among such outstanding presentations from other researchers at the annual meeting.”
Rahan Nazeer from the University of Cambridge, UK, was selected for the talk titled, The biofilm matrix of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a distinct extracellular compartment which selectively traps key secreted proteins.
“Having been a member of the Society since I was an undergraduate, I credit them as one of the reasons I have ended up pursuing a PhD (and a life) in microbiology. It is therefore really meaningful to be nominated as a finalist and I am more than thrilled to be in the company of some amazing early career scientists.”
Katherine Schaefer from the University of Missouri, USA, was selected for the talk titled, Single molecule studies of fungal virulence factor candidalysin reveal self-assembly interactions and multimodal kinetics.
“Finding out I was a finalist was a surreal experience. I was very surprised and even had my colleagues double-check the invitation to make sure I understood it correctly. I am so honoured to be selected and excited to take part in this amazing opportunity.”
Hollie Jackson- Ireland from MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, UK, who was selected for the talk titled, A novel IFNγ-stimulated gene with anti-HIV-1 activity.
"When I heard I had been selected as a finalist, I had just entered the final 6 weeks of my lab work before leaving to write up my PhD thesis. It was very unexpected, and I was over the moon. It gave me extra motivation to work hard in those final weeks as I knew if I finished on time, I would be able to showcase all the exciting work I had been doing. Being selected as a finalist for such a prestigious award feels like the best way to round off my lab time and I'm looking forward to being able to present fresh data and a fully formed story.”
Niamh Duggan from the School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences at the University College Dublin, Republic of Ireland, who was selected for the talk titled, Adaptation of Mycobacterium abscessus sequential clinical isolates in cystic fibrosis.
“… It means a lot as an early career researcher to be recognised by the Society. My work focuses on the adaptation of Mycobacterium abscessus during chronic infection in the cystic fibrosis lung. These infections are difficult to treat and impact the quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis. I'm very grateful to have been given this opportunity to share my findings on this emerging pathogen.”
Kathleen Dunbar from the University of Surrey, UK, who was selected for the talk titled, Increased hydrogen production from genetically modified Escherichia coli and their use within biocoatings.
“When I read the email that said I had been selected as a finalist, I was extremely happy and very proud of myself for all the work I've done over the past 3 years. I'm passionate about my research and love presenting my work. Finding out that the judges had selected me from amongst all the exceptional presentations this year was amazing, and I can't wait to present my research at the final.”