London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Tell us about your current research

In my current research I work with Gwen Knight to investigate the links between Antimicrobial Resistance and patient demographics, particularly age and gender. We know that the incidence of infections with bacteria vary by age and gender, as do factors that may contribute to the development of resistance in such infections. These include for example the number of antibiotic prescriptions you get or your contact with healthcare systems. Yet despite this we often don’t consider how antibiotic resistance varies with age and gender. Understanding this can help us both deepen our knowledge on what contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, whilst also helping us where to target public health interventions to reduce it. It will also help us to understand the way that the future burden of antimicrobial resistance will change, with an increasingly ageing population. Our key findings so far have been that there are strong trends, especially with age, but this varies a lot depending on which bacteria – antibiotic combination we consider. We’ve also seen that the impact of these demographics varies considerably not just across countries, but also at different sub-national levels.

Whilst working in this role I have really developed my interest in antibiotic resistance, but what initially drew me towards it was the range of interesting modelling techniques that we use throughout this research. It’s a combination of statistical and mathematical models, as well as working closely with researchers in different disciplines such as microbiologists, clinicians and social scientists. This really allowed me to use the technical skills I already have, as well as learn some new techniques! It’s great to be surrounded by people from different fields who are able to challenge your thinking in completely unexpected ways.

How did you first become interested in infectious disease modelling?

By starting my PhD! Prior to that I was working at a large software company and I enjoyed working there. However, whilst my role was related to health, I wanted it to be more directed to infectious diseases and I also wanted to have a more technical job. I therefore applied for a PhD at LSHTM after having seen an advert on LinkedIn. It was only really when I got stuck in to it that I realised how great a fit it was for me. I now really enjoy my daily work – both the thinking about complex systems and the coding/implementation of models.

Describe your career journey so far 

As mentioned, I was working at a large software company and felt like a change, so applied for a PhD at LSHTM.

My PhD focused on mathematical modelling of the interactions between respiratory viruses, and I was incredibly lucky to be supported by two amazing supervisors throughout it (Roz Eggo and Stefan Flasche). Despite a couple of COVID-related setbacks, I finished this at the start of 2021 and now have three papers published from my PhD work. I also had the opportunity to get involved in some fun side-projects during this time, for example working with some qualitative researchers to implement some language modelling on trust, which is very much not my area of expertise.

After my PhD I then worked on influenza vaccinations and in doing so also got experience of cost-effectiveness analyses, before starting my current role. 

What are your goals for the future? 

Continue working with great people in an interesting field, where I get the opportunity to learn new things and develop new skills.

What’s your favourite thing about working at LSHTM?

The people! Not only are the researchers at LSHTM incredibly good at what they do, they are also caring and proactive. I have found this for both my supervisors and line managers, as well as within CMMID and the wider community. People care not just about the output that you produce, but also what you personally want out of the work and your career, and go out of their way to help you. This is an amazingly supportive environment to be in. You can also always find someone up for a tea break or a chat.
 

Do you have any advice or tips for other early career researchers?

Decide what your boundaries are and stick to them. Even if people around you seem to be working all hours, a) they are probably not, b) people who work all hours are often unproductive and get burned out, and c) what you do for your work may be part of who you are, but only part. There is much more to life than sitting at a computer.

Also – chat to people and go for coffee breaks. You learn so much from other people and then you can support each other!

How can people get in contact with you?

Naomi.waterlow1@lshtm.ac.uk or @N_R_Waterlow on Twitter.