Meet the Speakers
Sophie Collier
Dr Collier started as a Consultant Microbiologist and Infection Control Doctor at the Royal Free Hospital in January 2010. Her particular areas of interest are managing and preventing infections in renal patients, outpatient antibiotic treatment, and management of chronic infections such as diabetic foot and implant infections.
Sophie has developed a keen interest in medical education and having enjoyed several years as Deputy Director of Medical Education at the Trust, she is now a personal tutor for UCL Medical school and the Deputy Academic lead for year 5. She is a qualified Coach and mindfulness teacher, which supports her work in pastoral care and wellbeing.
Riina Richardson
Dr. Riina Richardson is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant Medical Mycologist at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. She leads the NHS Mycology Reference Centre and specializes in fungal infections, antifungal resistance, and stewardship. With over 180 peer-reviewed publications, her research spans oral candidosis, mucosal immunology, and diagnostic-driven care. Dr. Richardson contributes to international guidelines and clinical trials, and plays a key role in medical education, developing curricula and postgraduate courses. She serves on committees for ESCMID and ECMM, advancing global understanding and treatment of fungal diseases.
Anjaneya Bapat
Anjaneya is consultant in infectious diseases and medical microbiology at King's College Hospital in London and is also the strategic clinical lead for microbiology and mycology at Synnovis. His areas of clinical interest include infections in neurosurgery and haematology patients. He qualified from the University of Cambridge and St. George's University of London and completed his specialist training in North and East London.
Brendan Payne
Brendan is a consultant Medical Virologist and Infectious Diseases Physician at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals. He is clinical lead for the Newcastle HCID unit as well as Laboratory Director for Virology. Clinically, he is interested in all things viral.
Pauline Jumma
Pauline Jumaa is a Consultant Microbiologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and the Infection Control Doctor for the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham. She has over 30 years’ experience as a Consultant Microbiologist and Director of Infection Prevention and Control/Infection Control Doctor, including experience in Europe and the Middle East. She is an examiner for the Royal College of Pathologists and is a member of the International Editorial Board of the Journal of Hospital Infection. She chairs a Healthcare Infection Society working party which has developed infection Prevention and Control guidance for burn services.
Sumita Pai
Dr. Sumita Pai is a microbiology consultant at Royal Papworth Hospital for the last 9 years and prior to this she completed her specialist training at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. She is the antimicrobial stewardship lead for the trust but also has a special interest in infections in Cystic Fibrosis.