When did you first realise that you were interested in science and why did you specialise in infection prevention and control (IPC)?

Rather early – I have a curious mind and have always been fascinated by science fiction literature and movies. I majored in Clinical Microbiology following my medical studies and was introduced to the world of IPC as a young trainee. Seeing the value and positive impact of infection prevention motivated me to spend more time in this field.

In your experience how important is diversity and inclusion in advancing scientific research?

This is crucial and adds richness besides offering broader understanding of issues studied.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities to collaborate with colleagues in other fields resulted in several innovations and achievements alongside publications in medical journals.

What is your biggest achievement to date in your career? Are there any challenges you have had to overcome?

There is joy in seeing the growth of the IPC program in the hospital where I work as well as at the cluster or corporate level. There is greater joy in seeing the fruits of our labour in the Asia Pacific region through projects administered by the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control. It warms my heart to see the improvement in their IPC programs through these projects and guidelines.

What advice would you give to young people aspiring to pursue a career in science and in particular specialising in IPC?

IPC is mainly about the prevention of infections, but the IPC professional has an excellent opportunity to implement significant change and improvement, first in the individual but ultimately in the system. If you are inspired to be an effective change agent in healthcare, being a specialist in IPC is the right path to pursue.

You are this year’s Lowbury Lecturer and will be speaking at FIS/HIS International in November – can you give readers a sneak peek into what they can expect from your lecture?

I hope to inspire the audience to continue being effective change agents wherever they practice as an IPC professional. There are many opportunities to improve our systems and our practice, especially as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To attend this year's Lowbury Lecture at FIS/HIS international and find out more information on this must-attend event for IPC professionals - click below.