Microbiology Society Award for top student

Each year, the School of Science Engineering and Environment Microbiology team uphold the tradition of nominating one of their students for an undergraduate award from The Microbiology Society. The prize is awarded to students across the UK and Ireland for excellence in microbiology during their second year of study.

This week, Professor Richard Birtles, leader on the microbiology programme presented the award to Ashley, who is now in her final year and conducting her research project on the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Professor Chloe James who leads the second year module ‘Microbial Communities and Interactions’ and completed the nomination for the prize, said: “ I nominated Ash for this prize because of her un-wavering dedication to microbiology, producing excellent work and contributing to enthusiastic debate on issues of Covid and AMR. This award is so well deserved.

“We are really proud of all our students and we invest so much in them in the hopes that some will go on to be the next generation of microbiologists who will play such a crucial role in tacking global challenges such as Covid-19, AMR and Climate change”.

After receiving the prize, Ashley said: “This is amazing news! I feel very honoured that I was put forward for this, it’s a lovely prize to be awarded!”

Find out more about the Microbiology Society and their work.