When Drugs Don't Work

In an era where the battle against bacterial infections grows increasingly complex, the global health community faces a not-so-new challenge: antibiotic resistance. This escalating crisis threatens to reverse decades of medical progress, with antibiotic-resistant infections outpacing the development of new treatment options. In 2019 alone, bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was associated with 4.95 million lives worldwide, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

Join Public Scholar and PhD candidate Laura Domínguez Mercado for an enlightening panel discussion where distinguished researchers and experts from the fields of animal and human health converge shed light on this pressing global health challenge. 

This event is tailored for the general public, regardless of your scientific background or familiarity with antibiotic resistance. We aim to foster a comprehensive understanding of the issue, discuss the latest research developments, and explore actionable strategies for mitigating the rise of resistant bacteria. Through collective awareness and active involvement, we can all play a role in combatting this crisis.

How can you participate? Join us in person or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting or watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca  

Dr. Brandon Findlay

Dr. Brandon Findlay completed his BSc at Simon Fraser University, followed by a PhD at the University of Manitoba with Dr. Frank Schweizer and an Alberta Innovates Health Solutions postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta with Dr. John Vederas. He started his independent career at Concordia University in 2015, and is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, with a cross-appointment to the Department of Biology. His work focuses on the intersection of bacteria and complex small molecules, including both the discovery and development of novel antibiotics and the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Jennifer Ronholm

Dr. Jenifer Ronholm obtained her BSc in Microbiology from the University of Waterloo in 2007 and her Doctoral degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of Ottawa in 2013. She completed post-doctoral training at McGill University and at Health Canada. She holds a tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Agricultural microbiology and her interests are primarily in understanding the role of the microbiome in determining susceptibility of agricultural animals to infections.

Dr. Makeda Semret

Makeda Semret, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University, specializes in Infectious Diseases and Medical microbiology. She leads the antimicrobial stewardship program of the McGill University Health Centre, and is the Director of the McGill training program in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology. Her current research focus is on inappropriate antibiotic use in healthcare settings, including testing different interventions for low-resource settings (Ethiopia).

BEng. Montserrat Mora-Ochomogo

Montserrat Mora Ochomogo is a second-year PhD student at Queen’s University in Kingston, working in Dr. Lohans’ lab. Before arriving in Canada, she earned her degree in Biotechnology Engineering from Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico. Before starting her PhD, she completed a mini-master’s program also at Queens University. Montse’s research project focuses on studying antibiotic resistance and antibiotic sheltering, particularly in the context of co-bacterial infections. Her interest and passion for bacteria began at a young age when she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. This personal experience drove her to pursue research in the field learning about the disease, the impact of bacterial infections and the limitations of existing treatments. Beyond her scientific pursuits, Montserrat enjoys music (a Swiftie at heart), painting, and kayaking. She is a strong advocate for women in science, recognizing the need for more female representation in this field.

BEng. Laura Domínguez Mercado

Laura Domínguez Mercado is a PhD candidate and Public Scholar in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at Concordia University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology engineering from Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM). She was awarded a MITACS GR internship, which led to her direct entry into the biochemistry PhD program. Her doctoral research focuses on characterizing the evolution of antimicrobial resistance and evaluating the effectiveness of novel drug therapeutics.