Dr Jim Huggett, LGC & University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Over the past 15 years Dr Huggett has dedicated his career to the growing field of biometrology applied to the preclinical research and translation of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. his interests focus on improving the application of molecular diagnostics and genomics methodologies in healthcare. Dr Huggett has had to challenge many deeply held dogmas and has led studies bringing together clinical collaborators with the metrology community, diagnostic manufacturers and fellow academics. His research has covered areas such as precision medicine and antibiotic resistance and he has been instrumental in writing popular guidelines on molecular measurement.
Dr Bhargavi Rao, Médecins Sans Frontières, Switzerland
Bhargavi studied medicine at Cambridge and Oxford Universities, with postgraduate training in internal medicine, infectious diseases and public health. Following an MPH at Harvard School of Public Health, she worked as a clinical advisor to an HIV/AIDS treatment programme in Southern Africa, expanding ART rollout and improving service delivery. On her return to the UK, she completed her PhD modelling the impact of health systems on malaria transmission and the effectiveness of ACTs, with a focus on Tanzania. She joined MSF in 2013 as a public health specialist but later transitioned in 2015 to her current role as Malaria and Infectious Diseases Specialist.
Dr Chris Walton, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
To the extent that my career has had a pathway, it might be termed “slightly off-the-wall measurements in the life sciences”. My working life has spanned four decades and an eclectic mix of disciplines including engineering, software development, mathematical modelling, database design, metabolic medicine and statistics. I am currently Lecturer in Analytical Technology at Cranfield University. I am a Member of the Institute of Biology, a Chartered Biologist, and an Affiliate of the Royal Society of Chemistry. I serve on the committee of the Analytical Automation and Measurement Group and as a member of the Environment Sustainability and Energy Division Council of the RSC
Dr Tim Rawson, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Tim is a doctor with an interest in infection, who is currently working as a NIHR invention for innovation (i4i) Clinical Research Fellow at the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance at Imperial College London. His research interests involve exploring cross-discipline approaches to enhancing antimicrobial stewardship.
Tim is currently leading a cross disciplinary project exploring the utility of Enhanced, Personalised, and Integrated Care for Infection Management at the Point-of-Care (EPIC IMPOC). This aims to explore the utility of integrating machine learning techniques, rapid diagnostics, and mechanisms for drug dose optimisation into clinical decision support systems to improve infection management in the hospital setting.
Dr David H. Persing, Executive VP
Chief Medical & Technology Officer, Cepheid, United States
David (Dave) Persing, MD, Ph.D., is Chief Medical and Technology Officer at Cepheid, and was recently appointed Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for the Danaher Diagnostics Platform.
Dave’s interest in the democratization of molecular diagnostic methods has been longstanding, starting in 1993 with his publication of the first widely adopted textbook to include PCR protocols and guidelines for laboratory operations. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles and reviews, including multiple articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, Science, and PNAS. He obtained his MD and PhD degrees from the University of California, San Francisco, CA in 1988.
Dr Annegret Schneider, University College London, United Kingdom
Annegret joined UCL in 2016 as Research Associate in Health Psychology. As behavioural scientist within a multi-disciplinary NIHR Health Protection Research Unit, she applies empirical evidence and theory to infection prevention and control research projects. She was previously a Research Fellow at the University of Surrey testing an eHealth intervention for patients with cancer and completed her PhD on patients’ experiences and anxieties in the dental setting at Plymouth University.
