Dr Lucy Harper

Chief Executive, Applied Microbiology International

After completing a BSc in Medical Biochemistry at Birmingham University, Lucy worked in hospital laboratories and university departments across the West Midlands. In 2003 she completed a PhD entitled: "Renal Dopamine and Salt-Sensitive Hypertension". Her passion for science came from talking about it rather than doing it and she took the position of Communications Officer for Med-Vet-Net, an EU FP6 project on zoonotic disease. Lucy began working as Communications Officer for AMI (then SfAM) in June 2006 and since then, she developed AMI's Communications remit and in June 2009 she was promoted to Communications Manager. In 2010 Lucy was awarded an MBA with distinction, which she completed part-time at Aston University. After a period of maternity leave, Lucy returned to the Society as Deputy CEO, and was then appointed Chief Executive in November 2014. 

Lucy’s key achievements for the organisation since then:

• Strategy - defining the purpose of AMI including rebrand and name change
• D&I focus 
• Growth of reserves and diversification of investments into ESG
• Growth of global membership
• Strategic relocation to London and then remote working
• Growth of core team 

Leading AMI through change to operations, governance, and strategy, Lucy takes a collaborative approach, listening to all stakeholders to ensure integrity and openness in communication and decision-making.

Professor Jack Gilbert

Professor, UC San Diego and President, Applied Microbiology International

Jack Gilbert is a Professor in Pediatrics and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Associate Vice Chancellor for Marine Science, and Director of the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center. Dr. Gilbert uses molecular analysis to test fundamental hypotheses in microbial ecology. He cofounded the Earth Microbiome Project and American Gut Project. He has authored more than 450 peer reviewed publications and book chapters on microbial ecology. He is the founding Editor in Chief of mSystems journal. In 2017 he co-authored “Dirt is Good”, a popular science guide to the microbiome and children’s health. In 2018, he founded BiomeSense Inc to produce automated microbiome sensors. In 2021 Dr Gilbert became the UCSD PI for the National institutes of Health’s $175M Nutrition for Precision Medicine program. In 2023 he became President of Applied Microbiology International and won the 2023 IFF Microbiome Science Prize.

: https://gilbertlab.com/
: drjackagilbert
: @gilbertjacka

Merisha Stevenson

Presenter, Host, Moderator & Strategist, Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum

We are delighted to have Merisha Stevenson guiding our conference. As a celebrated presenter from BBC Radio WM and an experienced broadcaster, Merisha has a profound knack for engaging audiences and steering conversations that touch on pivotal issues. Her extensive background in financial strategy and risk management, coupled with her passionate advocacy for empowering underrepresented voices, makes her the perfect host for our event. 

Merisha is sure to leave a lasting impact on our conference, inspiring us all to embrace change and drive forward the cause of inclusivity in the scientific community, and ensure that every participant's voice is heard and valued.