Members Panel

Bruno Silvester Lopes

Lecturer in Microbiology, Teesside University, UK

I joined the Panel to ensure that individuals in microbiology and beyond feel valued and included. My goal is to identify existing barriers and, drawing on my experiences, help others overcome them.

Kevin Maringer

Group Leader, The Pirbright Institute, UK

I am passionate about building more inclusive research environments and over my career have worked across a number of diversity characteristics with a particular focus on the LGBTQ+ community, gender, socioeconomic background and race. Because of my lived experience I have an interest in learning more about and supporting people with invisible diversity characteristics, for example LGBTQ+, neurodiverse and first-in-family-to-university individuals.

Anjam Khan

Principal Investigator, Newcastle University, UK

I am very passionate and highly committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within academia and beyond into society. We need to address inequality and systemic racism within organisations and societies across the globe, challenging established structures within organisations which inadvertently perpetuate systemic racism.

Cailean Carter

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Quadram Institute Bioscience, UK

I aspire to build a more understanding and accessible microbiology research community, welcoming neurodivergent individuals with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, and similar conditions. Embracing diverse perspectives will inevitably lead to more innovative solutions to address major challenges in microbiology.

Catherine Lawler

Assistant Professor, University of Birmingham Dubai, UAE

Charlotte Roughton

Biological Teaching Technician, Newcastle University, UK

I joined the Members Panel to contribute directly towards the Society’s equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and to help drive positive change. As a lesbian and autistic person, I hope to use my lived experiences to advocate for members from historically marginalised communities and ensure that the Society is inclusive and welcoming to all.

Guerrino Macori

Research Scientist, University College Dublin, Ireland

I am delighted to contribute my expertise as a microbiologist trained in other European countries, including Italy, and as an academic based in the Republic of Ireland, having worked in a variety of professional settings, including industry, official controls laboratories, and regulatory agencies.

Liam Cremona

PhD Candidate, University of Warwick, UK 

I joined the Members Panel because I wanted to get more involved with the Society and continue the work of the Panel in making microbiology accessible to all. I'm particularly interested in addressing barriers of entry for those in the LGBTQ+ community.

Onalenna Neo

Prerna Vohra

Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK

As a woman, a person of colour and an immigrant, I feel very strongly about making the environment in academia more inclusive and equitable for people from all backgrounds. I am delighted to work with the Microbiology Society to make this happen.  

Roshan Nepal

Postdoctoral Fellow, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia

My motivation for joining the Members Panel was to represent South Asia in the Microbiology Society and promote opportunities and events to the community. I was also keen to join the diverse team because it allows me to directly convey issues, ideas and suggestions from historically marginalised groups to the Society's Council.

Rowan Casey

PhD Student, Cardiff University, UK

Initially joining the Panel to represent undergraduate students, I am passionate about supporting future microbiologists.

Sara Albagir Abdalla Mohammed

MLS Microbiology Student, University of Khartoum, Sudan

I joined the Members Panel to represent microbiologists from disadvantaged backgrounds and resource-limited settings. My goal is to advocate for inclusivity and ensure that the Society provides opportunities and support for individuals facing challenges in their professional journeys.

Skylar Ann Gay

Undergraduate Student, University of Virginia, USA

I joined the Panel to bring awareness to excellence in undergraduate research and promote inclusivity for undergraduate researchers. I am passionate about promoting the work of early-career scientists.

Sudarshan Vishvani

Sharon Brookes