University of Warwick’s Dr. Melissa Webby Awarded Wellcome Fellowship to Research New Approaches in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

University of Warwick’s Dr. Melissa Webby Awarded Wellcome Fellowship to Research New Approaches in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance

(IN BRIEF) Dr. Melissa Webby of the University of Warwick has received a £2.2 million Wellcome Career Development Award to research the mechanisms that protect Gram-negative bacteria from antibiotics. This award supports Dr. Webby’s mission to advance the understanding of bacterial resistance and establish new therapeutic approaches, contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.

(PRESS RELEASE) COVENTRY, 22-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Dr. Melissa Webby, a biochemist at the University of Warwick, has been awarded a prestigious Wellcome Career Development Award to lead groundbreaking research into new methods for combating antimicrobial drug resistance. The £2.2 million eight-year fellowship will enable Dr. Webby to establish a research program focused on understanding the structure and function of the outer membrane, or envelope, that encases Gram-negative bacteria and shields them from antibiotic treatments.

This award, alongside support from the Howard Dalton Centre, will allow Dr. Webby to expand her research team by recruiting three postdoctoral associates and a lab technician. The team will collaborate with both existing and new partners to explore the emerging field of bacterial envelope biology, aiming to uncover innovative strategies to combat bacterial resistance.

Dr. Webby, based at Warwick’s School of Life Sciences, shared her excitement about the honor: “It’s an incredible privilege to have my research recognized with such a competitive award. Pursuing my own research agenda has always been a dream, though it’s a challenging and emotionally demanding journey. This fellowship provides the opportunity to delve deeper into my research interests over the next eight years, and I’m deeply grateful for the support from my mentors, collaborators, and my current PI, Colin Kleanthous, whose encouragement has been invaluable.”

Gram-negative bacteria, responsible for serious infections such as pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis, are becoming increasingly resistant to common antibiotics, making treatment difficult, especially in healthcare settings. With the University of Warwick’s strong track record in microbiology, public health, and industry collaborations, Dr. Webby’s research is set to contribute significantly to the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

The Wellcome Fellowship is aimed at mid-career researchers with the potential to become global leaders in their field, driving forward innovative research that can bring about transformative changes in human health and wellbeing.

Media Contact:

Heather Holve
press officer
+ 44 (0) 7803 052441
heather.holve@warwick.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Warwick