Early Career Researcher Workshop on Diagnostics for Antimicrobial Resistance

20 Nov - London, UK

The Learned Society Partnership on Antimicrobial Resistance (LeSPAR) hosted an event to support early career researchers, focusing on diagnostics development. This workshop took place at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London, UK.

Overview
LeSPAR AMR workshop

Overview

The 2016 O’Neill review on Antimicrobial Resistance identified the development of new, rapid diagnostics as one of the vital interventions needed to reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobial drugs. Realising a healthy pipeline of new diagnostic tests and technologies will require a multidisciplinary effort, bringing together researchers across scientific fields, alongside clinicians, regulators, and social scientists.

The Learned Society Partnership on Antimicrobial Resistance (LeSPAR), of which the Microbiology Society is a member, was delighted to announce our latest initiative in support of the research community, one with a specific focus on diagnostics development. We convened a one-day workshop for early career researchers, which included a number of invited experts, to provide inspiration, encourage interdisciplinary networking and explore the barriers and opportunities facing the development of rapid diagnostics for infectious disease. The main themes identified at this workshop will be shared with various research funders and stakeholders to highlight the critical areas where early career researchers require further support.

This workshop is aimed at supporting early career researchers, who have at least two years’ postgraduate research experience (e.g. PhD or postdoctoral) or equivalent, working in academia, industry or a clinical setting. LeSPAR is inviting applications from all fields of research, including those outside of the life sciences (e.g. social sciences, engineering, physics). Prior experience of diagnostics research is not necessary, but an interest in diagnostics and their application to infectious disease will be required.

Image: Sergey Tinyakov/Thinkstock.

Programme

Programme

The day included a keynote presentation, invited talks and two panel discussions. There was also an interactive session led by invited experts and a poster session to facilitate interdisciplinary networking between delegates. The full programme and further details are available on the Royal Society of Chemistry’s event page.
Speakers

Speakers

  • Dr Jim Huggett (LGC & University of Surrey, UK)
  • Dr Teri Roberts (Médicins sans frontières, Switzerland)
  • Dr Chris Walton (Cranfield University, UK)
  • Dr Tim Rawson (Imperial College London, UK)
  • Dr David H. Persing (Cepheid & Danaher Diagnostics Platform, USA)
Abstracts

Abstracts

Abstract submission is optional and not a requirement for attendance. Poster spaces are limited and posters will be selected to reflect the diversity of research interests at the workshop.

Registration

Registration

Members and non-members of LeSPAR organisations were encouraged to apply to attend this workshop.

The capacity for this workshop was limited and participants were selected to ensure there was a broad and balanced spread of expertise and experience, and to ensure that some members of LeSPAR organisations were able to attend.

Early bird registration rate
(until 2 October 2017)

Standard registration rate
(until 6 November 2017)

£40 £50

 

Travel support

Travel support

The Microbiology Society offered support some members attending this workshop with a contribution towards associated travel costs.

Venue

Venue

This workshop took place the the Royal Society of Chemistry in London, UK.

RSC venue

The Royal Society of Chemistry
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London
W1J 0BA
United Kingdom

Organisers

Organisers

Organising Committee

  • Dr Till Bachmann (University of Edinburgh, UK)
  • Professor Rob Field (John Innes Centre, UK)
  • Professor Tim McHugh (University College London, UK)
  • Professor Neil Woodford (Public Health England & Imperial College London, UK)
  • Professor Rosanna Peeling (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK)

Organised by

The Learned Society Partnership on Antimicrobial Resistance (LeSPAR) is a partnership of seven learned societies who have come together to provide a unified voice in support of the research community in the fight against AMR. Collectively, LeSPAR represents approximately 75,000 scientists. LeSPAR includes:

LeSPAR logos