AMI Webinar: connecting, inspiring and advocating for LGBTQIA+ researchers in microbiology

Clare Taylor

Head of Culture & Inclusion for School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University

I am Head of Culture & Inclusion for School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University, and a Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology with research interests in intracellular bacteria, infection control, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. I am delighted to be chairing this webinar! 

Bruno Francesco de Oliveira

Assistant Professor of Bacteriology, Fluminense Federal University

Dr Bruno Francesco de Oliveira (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor of Bacteriology in the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology at the Fluminense Federal University (Niterói, Brazil). He earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from the Federal University of Goiás and a Ph.D. in Sciences (Microbiology) from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, with a stay at the University College Cork (Cork, Ireland). As a marine microbiologist and bacterial genomicist, his lab focuses on the diversity, genomics and biotechnology of prokaryotic microbiomes associated with marine holobionts, particularly the macroalgae host.

Bruno has been engaged with several initiatives willing to change the scenario and celebrate LGBTQ+ microbiologists, including the "Queer in Microbiology" Working Group in the Microbiology Society and, in particular, the Pride in Microbiology Network. 

Dr Edel Pérez-López

Associate Professor, Université Laval

Dr. Edel Pérez-López is an Associate Professor at Université Laval, specializing in plant pathology and sustainable agriculture. In addition to his scientific expertise, Dr. Pérez-López is deeply committed to making academia and microbiology more inclusive and welcoming for the LGBTQ+ community. In this panel, he will share how his advocacy and vocal support for inclusivity have transformed his lab into a safe haven for queer scientists, positively impacting their lives and careers in the process.

Drew Sinclair

Graphic Harverster

Drew is a softly spoken man whose heart often buzzes with the excitement of pollen-covered bees, and whose mind occasionally receives thoughts as resplendent as the symmetry in butterfly wings. He inhales and exhales and knows all else will follow, it is this way of being that has allowed Drew in his last several journeys around the Sun to become experienced in many forms of creativity.  

Graphic Harvesting is a brilliant method for collecting information in a visual way and sharing it with a group. Drew with his partner Chadney create great visuals that help people to better understand the key points of a conversation, workshop or meeting.