The next Infectious Diseases Special Interest Group will take place online and the focus will be on Infection Control during COVID-19: Masks, hands and surfaces.
This event is in partnership with De Montfort University and led by Dr Katie Laird, Reader in Microbiology and also Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group at De Montfort University. Presentations will be given on:
– Masking the masses: Efficacy and controversies of face masks
– Surface Disinfection, hand sanitation and COVID-19. What have we done, and what should we have done?
– Supporting the NHS during COVID-19
DURATION: 1.5 hours
This free to attend event is held as part of the SoLSTICE programme – a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, click here to be re-directed to further information about the project. This event is classed as State Aid to participating businesses, the value of which is £190, but is delivered completely free of charge to participants.
Speaker Profiles:
Dr Katie Laird, Head of the Infectious Disease Research Group at Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University
Katie has a BSc (Hons) in Biology and obtained a PhD in applied microbiology in 2008. During her PhD she developed and patented an essential oil based antimicrobial vapour, whilst her postdoctoral work included the assessment of natural antimicrobials efficacy against post-harvest pathogens.
Her research interests include the use of natural products as antimicrobials in particular to combat hospital acquired infections and biofilms. Her other area of research includes the assessment of healthcare laundry as a potential route of cross contamination in the clinical arena.
Dr Maitreyi Shivkumar, Lecturer in Molecular Biology at Leicester School of Pharmacy, De Montfort University
Maitreyi is a virologist and lecturer in De Montfort University. Her research has focussed on host-pathogen interactions in the context of entry and transmission of viruses. She has recently established her lab at the Leicester School of Pharmacy, where she is working on developing broad-spectrum antivirals as well as investigating infection control strategies against coronaviruses.
Dr Andrew Kemp, Principal Scientific Officer, Q Technologies
Andrew holds a PhD in surface disinfection and decontamination. His specialist area of research is testing for bio burden, long term disinfection and decontamination. Dr Kemp consults for BICSc, governments, private organisations and companies. He is regarded as a global expert in his specialist area of work, undertaking research at the University of Lincoln and the University of Baltimore. He is a member of the steering group for the UK Infectious Diseases Research group. He recently completed writing the environmental cleaning and disinfection guide and standards for the UK NHS Improvement organisation.
Linda Knight, Training Specialist, Pal International
Linda has worked in medical consumables for over 25 years as a business development manger and specialist trainer primarily in the infection prevention sphere. Linda currently works for Pal International in the MediPal division. She has a keen interest in cooking having trained as a chef and loves to spend time with her grandchildren.
