PreMiEr Seminar Series: Dr. Jill Stewart

PreMiEr-sponsored seminar hosted by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Speaker: Jill Stewart, Philip C. Singer Distinguished Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Seminar Abstract: Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the Built Environment

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing threat to public health and modern medicine. Clinical cases of antimicrobial resistance are on the rise. However, the environmental dimensions of resistance remain poorly understood. Building on previous research to understand the evolution and ecology of resistance, we aim to develop tools and recommendations for antibiotic resistance in the built environment where humans spend most their time. Specifically, we aim to (1) establish reproducible methods to identify and prioritize antibiotic resistance genes and their biological meaning in the built environment; (2) expand sampling of key indicators and signatures to study the evolutionary ecology of resistance in these systems; and (3) evaluate the critical ability of resistance to move among humans, animals, and the built environment and potential risks to human health. We seek to work collaboratively with other PreMiEr Center projects, including sharing samples and methodological insights. Together this work will advance capabilities to study environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance and will contribute knowledge, recommendations, and products to advance the global fight against resistant infections.

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