Targeting Supercontactors for Safer Long-Term Care

What are some of the biggest challenges in your topic?

I would say that lack of data is the biggest challenge! Carrying on with my previous example, to understand how bacteria spread in a hospital, I need data on when patients arrive and leave, which staff are present at each time, when individuals come into contact with each other, and which bacteria each individual carries each day… Unfortunately, as you can imagine, this is a dream wish list! As a mathematical modeller, I always have to try to collect as much data as I can, for example, by talking with clinicians or epidemiologists, and come up with solutions when I’m missing some information.

This must mean that direct contact with the clinicians is critical in your research! Can you tell us more about this part of your work?

Collaboration is essential! In the context of the PrIMAVeRa project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with other mathematical modellers, clinicians and epidemiologists to collaboratively design a realistic mathematical model and evaluate the impact of monoclonal antibodies. While it can be challenging to reconcile different perspectives, it often leads to new ideas and allows us to be more confident that our work will be reliable and have an important impact on public health.

Do you have long-term goals and aspirations in the field of AMR?

I would like to collaborate with other researchers and clinicians globally to investigate new solutions against AMR. Another important goal for me is to become more involved in talking about AMR to a wider audience, whether that is members of the public or other researchers who may not yet understand how they could contribute to the fight against AMR.

In your opinion, what is the most important message for the public to understand about AMR?

Simply being aware that AMR exists, and what it means. Knowing this is much more reassuring than discovering that this problem exists only when you are suddenly confronted with it. By being aware of AMR, the public can then better understand the efforts that are being made to fight against it and support these efforts.

How do you stay motivated and passionate about your work? And what interests do you have outside of your research?

I really enjoy teaching, and I think it plays an essential part in staying motivated. While the rewards of day-to-day scientific work are generally only felt in the long term, it is incredibly motivating to spend an hour in a class and immediately see the impact this can have on students. And, as mentioned, collaborations are key to constantly hearing fresh perspectives on my work. Outside of work, when I’m not busy staring at equations on my computer, I’m most likely climbing, playing badminton… or staring at a bigger screen to play video games!