Members Panel
Reporting to Advisory Council, the Members Panel contributes to the delivery of the Society’s strategic objectives by ensuring that everyone is welcome and that equality, diversity and inclusion is considered as part of everything we do. It achieves this by bringing the perspectives of historically marginalised communities to the Society’s efforts.
As part of this, the Members Panel has played a key role in the introduction of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prize and the Equality Diversity and Inclusion session at Annual Conference. Members of the Panel also help to organise activities such as the LGBTQIA+ and Disabled and Neurodivergent socials at Annual Conference.
The Members Panel collaborates with all other branches of the governance structure to ensure due consideration for matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusion. It does so by holding representative positions across certain Committees, Divisions and Standing Panels, at the discretion of Members Panel members.
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.
Yinka Somorin
Visiting Professor, Ajayi Crowther University, Nigeria
I decided to join the Panel because my experience as a microbiologist across the UK, Ireland and Africa, and in both academic and non-academic settings, gives me a broad perspective on the needs of our diverse membership. I am keen to bring this perspective to governance discussions, helping ensure that decisions are inclusive, representative and better aligned with the realities members face, so the Society can more effectively support them.
Akpan Friday
Public Health Analyst, Solina Centre for International Development and Research, Nigeria
As a public health analyst working on immunisation programmes, equity in access is central to my work, particularly for underserved and hard-to-reach populations. I joined the Members Panel to bring this perspective into the Society’s governance decisions, ensuring that its activities, interventions and opportunities are inclusive by design.
Alexandre de Menezes
Lecturer/Assistant Professor, University of Galway, Republic of Ireland
I joined the Members Panel because I want to support the initiatives of the Microbiology Society that help those in marginalised communities to achieve their potential, which is becoming increasingly important, including in academia. I have a particular interest in supporting actions that benefit LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse members of the Society.
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
I decided to join the Members Panel to help the Microbiology Society become more inclusive.
Greicy Pereira
Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Dundee, UK
I joined the Members Panel to become more involved with the Society and to advocate for greater equity in microbiology. As a researcher from South America (Brazil), I am highly motivated to improve access to microbiology and academia for people from lower-income countries and underprivileged backgrounds who often face limited academic and scientific opportunities.
Karolin Hijazi
Professor and Honorary Consultant, University of Aberdeen, UK
I am passionate and dedicated to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion, both within academia and across society. My aim is to identify existing obstacles in microbiology research preventing under-represented groups from flourishing and, based on my own experiences, make a significant contribution to overcoming them.
Kathryn Burdon
PhD Student, University of Southampton, UK
I joined the Panel to help break down some of the systemic barriers I have faced throughout my education and professional life. I am particularly interested in advocating for first-generation students, the neurodiverse, Disabled and the LGBTQIA+ community.
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.
Molly Madan
Professor, Al Falah University, India
I am delighted to be part of the Members Panel, thus being the support for microbiologists facing challenges in their professional journeys, especially from resource-limited settings.
Onalenna Neo
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
I joined the Members Panel to elevate the voices of underrepresented groups in microbiology and to actively promote diversity and inclusivity within the field. I am passionate about ensuring equitable access to information, opportunities and resources for all, regardless of background.
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
PhD Student, Harvard University, 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
MSc Student, Coventry University, UK
I joined the Members Panel to serve as a voice for microbiologists from disadvantaged backgrounds and resource-limited settings. I hope to drive initiatives that provide equitable opportunities and empower underrepresented microbiologists to thrive in their careers.
Selection of Chair and Panel members
The Members Panel aims to represent the full breadth of our membership, bringing unheard voices to the fore. The founding cohort sought representatives from Black and Asian members and those from other minoritised ethnic groups; members who identified as LGBTQ+ and Disabled members or those living with long-term illnesses that impacted their experience working in microbiology. Members of the Panel are required to have an enthusiasm for inclusion and ideas for helping the Microbiology Society be welcoming to anyone interested in microbes, their effects, and their uses. The Terms of Reference for the Panel can be found below.
Members Panel Terms of Reference
