After my MSc I plan to pursue a career in antimicrobial policy

"Initially, I hadn’t planned on undertaking a masters, however, during my undergraduate degree I gained a keen interest in infectious disease and the mechanisms that pathogens are evolving to evade both the host immune system and therapies like antibiotics. When it was announced there would be a new masters in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) at Sheffield beginning in the next academic year, it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.

"Due to completing my BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Sheffield, I already knew that the standard of teaching was high. Furthermore, having already spent three years in the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MBB) department, I knew how passionate the lecturers and researchers were about their work, as well as ensuring students were given the best support and opportunities.

"Alongside my pre-existing interest in the subject, I was attracted to the MSc in AMR due to the multidisciplinary approach to teaching that was being offered. I was not disappointed, not only did we receive lectures from researchers, clinicians and engineers, we also had workshops with industry experts. This was probably the part of the course that I enjoyed the most as it gave me exposure to AMR in a variety of settings and contexts. This led me to discovering potential job roles that I was not even aware of before starting the course.

"I was also attracted to the masters due to the 20-week research project offered with either MBB or the Medical School. Although wet lab projects had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, the course leaders were amazing at reorganising our projects into a bioinformatics style so we could still gain relevant experience and complete independent research. We were given a range of research areas to choose from - for example my project focuses on predicting outcomes in diabetic foot ulcers based on bacterial swabs taken from patients.

The course has not only given me a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions and AMR, it has given me the opportunity to critically think about, and analyse, problems from different perspectives. These are skills that will help me greatly in my future career. We also gained valuable bioinformatics experience that I found both interesting and challenging.

Chloe Preston

MSc Antimicrobial Resistance

"The course has not only given me a deeper understanding of host-pathogen interactions and AMR, it has given me the opportunity to critically think about, and analyse, problems from different perspectives. These are skills that will help me greatly in my future career. We also gained valuable bioinformatics experience that I found both interesting and challenging.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my masters, I feel that I have learnt so much, been challenged and had amazing support throughout. For me, I found learning about global policy and current clinical practice most interesting, so much so that I would like my career to progress in this direction. The course not only introduced me to these fields, it also allowed me to meet experts working in them that have provided me with valuable advice on beginning my career. After completion of my studies, I plan to look for a job based around antimicrobial policy to tackle AMR, with a pharmaceutical company or for the government.

"The MSc in Antimicrobial Resistance has given me a deeper insight into the current challenges that the world is facing with AMR and innovative ways that are being used to tackle these. I would highly recommend the course to anyone who enjoys being challenged and wishes to gain a deeper, comprehensive insight into AMR."