Poster Award Winners RTI 2026
Poster Presentation Winners
Rachel Galloway
(University of Dundee, United Kingdom)
Short Biography
Hospital/university:
University of Dundee, United Kingdom
Key messages/milestones:
PhD student in the Respiratory Research Group at the University of Dundee
Key roles:
- 2025 – PhD student in the Respiratory Research Group at the University of Dundee
- 2023 – Research Technician in Respiratory Research Group
- MSc and BSc student in Life Sciences School at The University of Dundee
Key areas of research:
- PhD Project looking at how bacteria adapt to survive in the lungs of respiratory patients
- MSc project looking at biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis
- BSc project – clinical audit of Tayside bronchiectasis patient data in order to streamline the process of antibody and immunoglobulin testing
Abstract Summary
Abstract title:
Hospitalisation and mortality risk following bacterial respiratory infections vary by pathogen and underlying condition
Summary:
- Investigates whether bacterial infection impacts 30-day hospitalisation risk and 90-day mortality among patients with respiratory disease and whether this varies by pathogen or underlying condition.
- Includes patient data for 398 patients from NHS electronic health records in Tayside between 2012 – 2025
Key take-aways:
- influenzae was isolated most frequently across all disease groups
- Hospitalisation and survival after respiratory infection varied by pathogen between disease groups, highlighting the impact of underlying conditions.
- Further work could investigate whether the pathogen isolated is an indicator of the inflammatory environment seen with each lung condition rather than a driver of poorer patient outcomes.
Louise jackson
(University of Liverpool, United Kingdom)
Short Biography
Hospital/university:
Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool
Key messages/milestones:
- Studied bioveterinary science at University of Lincoln
- Moved to University of Liverpool for PhD and PDRA positions
- Currently work as a PDRA on the Microbiome: Accelerating Innovation and Development (MAID) project, seeking to de-risk and accelerate microbiome and phage therapeutics to market
Key roles:
- 2019 – PhD entitled ‘Preventing Neonatal Infectious Arthritis in Lambs: Sources, Transmission and Characterisation of Streptococcus dysgalactiae’ funded by AHDB Beef and Lamb and University of Liverpool
- 2023 – Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Liverpool, validating postal sputum sampling for the monitoring of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients living with bronchiectasis (POSTED)
- 2025 – Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Liverpool, contributing to the development of a target product profile for phage therapy in CF (CAPITAL)
- 2026 – Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Liverpool, on the Microbiome: Accelerating Innovation and Development (MAID) project (current post)
Â
Key areas of research:
- Bacterial infectious disease
- Enhancing disease monitoring and method validation
- Alternative solutions for antimicrobial resistance, particularly bacteriophage
Abstract Summary
Abstract title:
Multiplex molecular detection of pathogens and clinical instability in longitudinal sputum sampling: a post-hoc analysis of the POSTED study
Summary:
- Clinical worsening, such as a change in sputum colour and/or a change in quality of life, may be driven by opportunistic pathogens in bronchiectasis
- Longitudinal postal sputum samples were analysed from bronchiectasis patients around periods of clinical change
- Multiplex molecular pathogen detection using Biofire FilmArray Pneumonia Plus Panel (Biomerieux, France)
- Clinical instability was associated with acquisition of a new pathogen, especially viruses
- Stable patients showed no microbial changes and load of classic bacterial pathogens remained generally stable
Â
Key take-aways:
- Exacerbations in bronchiectasis appear linked to opportunistic pathogen acquisition, rather than shifts in chronic bacterial load
- Load of classic bacterial pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, remained generally stable
- Periods of instability associated with acquisition of viruses
Highly Recommended Presentations
Hazique Parvaiz Koul
(Nottingham University Hospitals, NHS Trust, United Kingdom)
Short Biography
Hospital/university:
Nottingham University Hospitals, NHS Trust, United Kingdom
Key messages/milestones:
- Dr Hazique Koul studied medicine in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Subsequently he worked in Kashmir (2023-24), India where he underwent training in a tertiary care hospital where he participated in clinical management of patients, research projects, hospital audits and teaching of the undergrad students. He moved to Nottingham, UK in 2025 where he currently is working as an SHO in Nottingham University Hospitals (NHS Trust).
Key roles:
- 2021-22: Medical Intern, Dhaka University, Bangladesh
- 2023-24: Resident Medicine and Allied Specialties, SKIMS, Srinagar, J&K, India. Participated in research projects and writing academic papers.
- 2025- : SHO Nottingham University Hospitals, NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
Key areas of research:
- Vaccination uptake among adults in India
- Radiological clearing of community acquired pneumonia (lead author)
- Mortality in community acquired pneumonia in Kashmir, India (under publication)
Abstract Summary
Abstract title:
Influenza Vaccination Practices following the COVID 19 pandemic among Hospital Physicians and Physician Trainees in North India
Summary:
- Data about vaccination uptake of healthcare workers from developing countries are scant and the uptake is generally suboptimal.
- COVID 19 resulted in a heightened overall awareness about vaccines.
- We set out to study the influenza vaccination practices among HCWs in North India, following the COVID 19 pandemic.
Key take-aways:
- Only 30% of the 527 respondents had received the influenza vaccine in the flu season of 2023-24, the uptake being 33.5% among physicians and 25.9% among physician trainees.
- Reasons put forth for not taking the vaccine included absence of any mandates regarding vaccination, out-of-pocket expense for the vaccine and perceptions about vaccine safety and efficacy leading to vaccine hesitancy.
- Despite heightened awareness following the COVID pandemic, influenza vaccination in physician/trainees in northern India remains poor.
- Measures to increase uptake are urgently required to ensure that WHO targets of 75% are realised.
Tina Vrenko
(University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Slovenia)
Short Biography
Hospital/university:
University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Slovenia
Key messages/milestones:
Coming soon…
Key roles:
Coming soon…
Key areas of research:
Coming soon…
Abstract Summary
Abstract title:
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: real-life clinical practice in a tertiary centre
Summary:
Coming soon…
Key take-aways:
Coming soon…