A Queen’s University scientist is the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Science Award winner for 2013.
Brendan Gilmore, from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University in Belfast, won the title for his outstanding research in the field of microbiology, particularly in bacterial biofilm control.
The prize recognises a scientist who, having less than 10 years' experience at postdoctoral level, has a proven record of independent research and published work that shows outstanding promise in the pharmaceutical or allied sciences.
Dr Gilmore’s research is focused on the study of bacterial biofilms, those slimy, surface adhered bacterial communities, which are implicated in around 80% of all human chronic infections. He has developed several novel approaches to destroy these bacterial communities, which are typically highly resistant to antibiotics and biocides.
Professor James McElnay, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, said: 'Brendan Gilmore is an example of the excellent calibre of researchers at Queen’s University. I commend him for his research in a challenging field and congratulate him wholeheartedly on this award. We at Queen’s strive to have a global impact with the ground-breaking research carried out and this national award for Brendan is testimony to that.'
Speaking about the award, Dr Gilmore, said: 'It is a wonderful, unexpected recognition of the research conducted by my group, both current and past members, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for their hard work and dedication.
'Queen’s University, as a member of the Russell Group, is one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities and I am honoured to be part of an institution which prides itself on internationally leading research, which has a real impact on people’s lives.'
Bill Dawson, Chairman of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said: 'Novel ways to control infection have been highlighted recently by the Chief Medical Officer and scientists such as Dr Gilmore have a key role to play in this. He has recently taken leadership of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences focus group on microbiology and I am really pleased that this award strengthens the partnership between the RPS and APS.'
Dr Gilmore delivered his award lecture ‘From proteases to plasmas: new weapons in the war against biofilms’ at the PharmSci2013 conference in Edinburgh.
