Humaira Ahmed
A fourth-year medical student has published a piece of research on a contagious disease – with the process, and striking results, inspiring her career path.
Humaira Ahmed, who is studying at the Âé¶¹´«Ã½, co-wrote a study that showed how superbug Clostridioides difficile (commonly known as C. diff) was still living on hospital scrubs and surfaces despite being treated with high concentrations of bleach.
The results have prompted calls for urgent research to find alternative strategies to disinfect C. diff spores to minimise transmission in clinical environments. Such was the impact of the research process that Humaira is now pursuing a career in infectious disease, dermatology and surgery.
Humaira had previously completed a degree in Biomedical Science , also at Âé¶¹´«Ã½, and it was during this time that she first came across research techniques and opportunities.
Inspired by one of her lecturers, Dr Tina Joshi , she took part in science engagement activities for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week and decided to further explore C. diff for her dissertation.
She obtained an outstanding grade for the research and, following further collaboration and results analysis with Dr Joshi, they submitted the paper for publication.
Now in the latte