Purdue University\u2019s fourth Antimicrobial Resistance Conference concluded February 26 with remarks from Purdue Vice President for Health Affairs and Jeannie and Jim Chaney Dean of Pharmacy Eric Barker, PhD, who also announced the winners of the conference\u2019s research poster session. The poster contest, which attracted more than 20 entries, was divided into categories for undergraduate and graduate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before awarding prizes for the first- and second-place winners in each category, Dr. Barker shared thoughts about the importance of the conference, which he described as being characterized by thoughtful conversations, collaboration and cutting-edge science. \u201cWhat an energizing couple of days,\u201d Dr. Barker said. \u201cAntimicrobial resistance is one of those challenges that refuses to sit neatly in a single lane. It touches human health, animal health, food systems, and our environment. And these are all things that you\u2019ve talked about. And that\u2019s why it actually fits very naturally into Purdue\u2019s One Health initiative where we\u2019re connecting human, animal, plant and environmental health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Barker continued, \u201cPurdue is a place where we think about big challenges, but we know that those big challenges require interdisciplinary science.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He emphasized that the conference reflected that mindset.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ve had basic scientists sitting next to clinicians, veterinarians sitting next to engineers, and data scientists engaging with microbiologists.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Barker went on to explain that, for him, AMR probably is one of the clearest examples of the interconnectedness between the health of people, animals, plants and the environment. \u201cResistant organisms do not respect boundaries \u2013 not between species, not between sectors and not between countries. The work you\u2019ve presented here, whether its advancing detection technologies, improving stewardship strategies, modeling resistance dynamics, and developing new therapeutics, embodies the Purdue One Health approach. It\u2019s collaborative, its translational and its aimed at impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Barker then expressed appreciation for the vision and leadership of the members of the conference steering committee, and the planning committee\u2019s efforts to attend to all the details. \u201cAnd to our speakers, our poster presenters, our sponsors and all of you who traveled here to be part of the conversation, thank you \u2013 it is your engagement that makes this most meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Dr. Barker announced the winners of the Research Poster Session cash prizes of $300 for first-place and $150 for second place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Undergraduate Student Category<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n