The Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Infection and Immunity Research Network will be hosting its annual Early Career Researchers' (ECRs) symposium on 16 February 2022. 

This half-day event will comprise oral and poster presentations from ECRs as well as keynote talks from invited external speakers. 

Keynotes

• Alex McCarthy (Lecturer in Innate Immunity, Imperial College London) – Alex’s group is based at the MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology & Infection. They study the role of innate immune receptors in the generation and modulation of innate immune responses in host immunity and inflammation, and how pathogens exploit these receptors to manipulate innate immune responses.
• Laura Bowater   (Professor of Microbiology Education and Engagement, University of East Anglia) – Laura leads an interdisciplinary research project focused on public engagement with the global problem of antibiotic resistance (AMR), working with the Society of General Microbiology to create a Citizen Science project. The research will be focused on the laboratory aspects of hunting for new antimicrobial products but will also examining whether citizen science  can effectively engage the public with the issues that underpin the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Aims of the event:

The Infection and Immunity Research Network's Early Career Researchers' event is a fantastic opportunity for Early Career Researchers to write and submit an abstract and strengthen their presentation skills to an audience of their peers. This is the perfect platform to share your work, explore alternative methodologies, ask questions if you feel one aspect of your research would benefit from wider input, offer expertise and encourage wider collaborations. This is your chance to take part in discussions that could lead to greater inter- and multidisciplinary understanding of the research in question and its potential relevance to other areas. Early-stage proposals are welcomed. 

The event is open to all; if you are not presenting, please attend and support our ECRs from across faculties to gain a better understanding of the incredible breadth of research taking place across the wider Infection and Immunity community. 

This event aims to foster the creation of new research directions but new ways of working, new ways to support and enable our academic community, and new learning experiences. 

Registration:

ALL staff and students across the University, in all Schools, Units and Faculties, are very welcome to participate. 

• Registration is free and includes a buffet lunch and refreshments during the poster session.
• Registration is now closed; contact catherine.brown@bristol.ac.uk if you would like to take part

Programme:

13:00	Buffet lunch
13:30	Welcome
13:35	Chinelo Etiaba (Undergraduate student, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine): Hemozoin, a by-product of malaria infection, suppresses the neutrophil oxidative burst
13:50	Tim Satchwell (Senior Research Associate, School of Biochemistry): Uncovering the role of host red blood cell proteins in malaria parasite invasion
14:05	Michael Beer (PhD student, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine): Multiple Determinants of Carbapenemase Activity in Class A β-lactamases Revealed by Computation
14:20	Xiayi Liu (PhD student, Bristol Dental School): Investigating use of nanoflake-coated titanium as a potential approach strategy to combat implant infections
14:35	Refreshments and Poster Session
15:30	Alex McCarthy (Lecturer in Innate Immunity, Imperial College London): Human Streptococcal pathogens target CEACAM1 receptor
16:00	Taru Silvonen (Research Assistant, Bristol Medical School): Views towards vaccination among people aged 55 and over in the UK
16:15	Julia Crunden (Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine): The role and interaction networks of Hsp90 in the fungal pathogens of humans, Candida glabrata and Candida albicans
16:30	Henry Oswin (PhD student, School of Chemistry): An investigation of the airborne stability of Group A Streptococcus
16:45	Kirsty Goudar (Research Associate, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine): Substrate and inhibitor interactions of Class D OXA β-lactamases
17:00	Laura Bowater (Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Innovation, Chair in Microbiology Education and Engagement, University of East Anglia): Engaging with Public Engagement: developing my career path (presenting remotely)
17:30	Close

Posters:

We are delighted to confirm that we will also be hosting 16 poster presenters from CMM, Bristol Dental School, Bristol Medical School, Chemistry, Bristol Veterinary School and Biochemistry.