Adventures in Applied Microbiology (and Other Short Stories)

Professor Anthony C. Hilton, Deputy Executive Dean Life & Health Sciences at Aston University

Over the past 20 years bacteria have gone from invisible creatures of obscurity, considered of little importance to the wider public than the cause of an inconvenient infection every now and again, to high on the public agenda and never far away from the news headlines. Much has happened to better our understanding of microbiology in recent years and to reveal the intimate relationship humans share with microbes, raising awareness of their multiple roles as our friends and foes. In this lecture, Professor Anthony Hilton will lead you on a journey to discover the invisible world of microbiology, where microbes lurk and how to avoid becoming their next victim!

Schedule

17:30 - Refreshments

18:30 - Professor Anthony Hilton's Inaugural Lecture

19:30 - Buffet

Following a PhD in microbiology from the University of Birmingham, Professor Anthony Hilton remained at the University as a lecturer in the Institute of Public & Environmental Health for five years before moving to Aston University in 2000. At Aston, Anthony has continued to pursue his research interest in the molecular epidemiology of foodborne pathogens and other important clinical bacteria including MRSA and Clostridium difficile. He was appointed as Senior Lecturer and Director of Biological & Biomedical Sciences in 2005 and promoted to Reader and Head of Department in 2009. He has served as the Honorary General Secretary of the Society for Applied Microbiology and held several journal editorial positions. Through his work with the media, Professor Hilton is a regular contributor to print and broadcast articles in the field of microbiology. He featured in an eight part BBC series, ‘Grime Scene Investigation’ taking a mobile laboratory to visit members of the public in their homes and reveal the microbial world living around them, and special features on The One Show and Rip Off Britain. He is always keen to engage the public and younger students in microbiology, regularly contributing to science festivals and public events, and has been recognised by several prestigious awards for his teaching and science communication activities.