University of Warwick Expands Sir Howard Dalton Centre Capabilities Through Significant Donation to Address Drug Resistance Challenges

David Stirling and students, (left to right) Dr Chelsea Brown, Research Fellow (NB Chelsea Brown is a 2023 winner of the Sir Howard Dalton Young Microbiologist of the Year); Dr Criska Li, Research Fellow; Dr David Stirling; Professor Józef Lewandowski, Professor of Chemistry; Dr Koorosh Fatemian, Research Fellow. Image credit: University of Warwick

(IN BRIEF) The University of Warwick has received a £1.2 million donation from alumnus Dr David Stirling to support antimicrobial resistance research as part of its Set the Pace campaign. The funding will strengthen the Sir Howard Dalton Centre, enabling it to expand its global reach and enhance efforts to combat drug-resistant infections through research, collaboration, and capacity building. Dr Stirling, whose academic career began at Warwick, emphasized the urgent need to address antimicrobial resistance and support the next generation of scientists. The initiative aligns with Warwick’s broader ambition to lead a coordinated global response to antimicrobial resistance through international partnerships. The donation also contributes to the university’s wider philanthropic campaign, which aims to drive innovation and solutions across key global challenges, including health equity and pandemic preparedness.

(PRESS RELEASE) COVENTRY, 18-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Warwick has announced a £1.2 million philanthropic donation from alumnus Dr David Stirling to advance research into antimicrobial resistance. The contribution forms part of the university’s Set the Pace campaign and is intended to strengthen Warwick’s global leadership in tackling one of the most urgent challenges in modern healthcare.

The funding will provide long-term support for the Sir Howard Dalton Centre, enabling it to expand its research capacity and international reach. The centre plays a central role in Warwick’s efforts to address antimicrobial resistance, focusing on innovative approaches to drug discovery and fostering collaboration across global research communities.

Dr Stirling, who completed his PhD at Warwick between 1974 and 1978 under the mentorship of Sir Howard Dalton, highlighted the university’s long-standing contribution to antimicrobial resistance research. Reflecting on his career, he emphasised the growing urgency of addressing drug resistance and the shortage of new antibiotics, noting that future progress depends on training new scientists and strengthening international collaboration. He also described his donation as an opportunity to give back to the institution that played a formative role in his professional journey.

In 2022, Dr Stirling’s earlier philanthropic support led to the establishment of the Sir Howard Dalton Centre for Translational Mechanistic Enzymology, named in honour of his doctoral supervisor. The centre is also home to the Leadership in Enhancing Antimicrobial Discovery (LEAD) project, an international initiative focused on building collaboration, leadership, and capacity to combat drug-resistant infections.

The University of Warwick aims to position itself at the forefront of a globally coordinated antimicrobial resistance strategy, built on equitable research partnerships across regions including India, China, ASEAN countries, and South Africa. This approach seeks to create a more unified and effective response to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance worldwide.

David Stirling and VC, Dr David Stirling (left) with Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick Professor Stuart Croft (right). image credit: University of Warwick

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Stuart Croft welcomed the donation, noting that it strengthens Warwick’s position as a leading research-intensive institution. He emphasised that the funding will support scientists working on the frontlines of antimicrobial discovery, helping to drive progress toward new medical solutions, including the development of novel antibiotics.

The donation contributes to Warwick’s broader Set the Pace campaign, launched in March 2026, which aims to raise £250 million and inspire 20,000 acts of volunteering. The initiative focuses on advancing global solutions in areas such as health equity, peacebuilding, sustainable energy, and social innovation, while also enhancing the student experience.

Within the campaign, the Sir Howard Dalton Centre is one of several projects dedicated to improving global health outcomes. Additional initiatives include programmes focused on women’s healthcare through the For HER project and the Institute for Global Pandemic Planning PhD programme, which aims to train future experts in pandemic preparedness.

About Set the Pace

Launched in March 2026, Set the Pace is the University of Warwick’s most ambitious philanthropy campaign, aiming to raise an initial £250 million and inspire 20,000 acts of volunteering. It will invest in the people driving global solutions in peace making, health equity, novel energy, critical arts, and fair and sustainable business, as well as strengthen the Warwick Student Experience to ensure students from all backgrounds thrive.

About the University of Warwick

Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information please contact:

Dom Barker, Media & Communications Officer

Dom.Barker@warwick.ac.uk / 07824 540727

General and out-of-hours press office number: +44 (0)7392 125605 (please call as emails are not checked out of office hours).

Media Contacts:

Dom Barker
Media & Communications Officer
Dom.Barker@warwick.ac.uk
07824 540727

General and out-of-hours press office number: +44 (0)7392 125605 (please call as emails are not checked out of office hours).

SOURCE: University of Warwick