معرفی
Professor Fiona Walsh is a leading academic in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research at Maynooth University, affiliated with the Department of Biology and the Human Health Institute within the Faculty of Science & Engineering. She holds the rank of Professor and serves as Director of the Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre. Her career includes post-doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh, Trinity College Dublin, and the Swiss Federal Department of Agriculture Research Station. Walsh’s work uniquely bridges human, animal, and environmental health, focusing on AMR mobility across biomes, particularly via plasmid-mediated resistance mechanisms.
- Education: BSc (1st Class Microbiology) from NUI Galway (1998); PhD in Medical Microbiology from the University of Edinburgh (2003).
- Affiliations: Member of ESSEM COST Action, FAO AMR Expert Committee, and Water JPI Knowledge Hub. Chair of the Maynooth University BSRESC Ethics Committee.
Her research investigates AMR in wastewater, soil, and agricultural systems, influencing EU policy under the Water Framework Directive. Key projects include analyzing AMR in manure, grassland, and wastewater treatment plants, with a focus on plasmid survival and transfer. Walsh has secured significant grants totaling over €2 million, addressing AMR risks in environmental and clinical contexts.
Walsh’s contributions have been recognized through awards such as the Maynooth University Research Achievement Award and Clarivate’s top 2% global scientist ranking. She actively collaborates with institutions worldwide, including ETH Zurich and the University of Birmingham, and mentors numerous PhD students in AMR and microbiology.
- Grants & Projects: Over 20 funded projects since 2017, including 'Targeting Antimicrobial Resistance Plasmids' (€1.1M) and 'Nationwide Analysis of AMR in Soil.'
- Labs/Teams: Leads the Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in microbiology, chemistry, and policy.
