Opeyemi Makanjuola

I work clinically as an infectious diseases and microbiology registrar and have been a member of HIS for over two years, attending the very interesting courses and trainee days organised by the society. As part of my NIHR-funded Academic Clinical Fellowship, I am conducting research projects aimed at evaluating the evidence (and providing further evidence) for the use of ultraviolet-C radiation for the disinfection of semi-critical medical devices. As part of this project, I conducted a scoping review of existing literature, the findings of which were accepted for poster presentation at FIS 2024. I applied for the HIS Travel Grant, as it would have been more difficult to secure alternative funding from my training agency to support my travel to the conference. Obtaining this funding also brings me satisfaction, as it demonstrates that my research is valued outside of my organisation and helps to enhance my academic portfolio.

The HIS Travel grant greatly benefited me by providing the funds necessary to cover the registration, travel, and accommodation costs for the event. Obtaining the grant also offers me a sense of personal satisfaction, knowing that the research I am conducting is valued beyond my own institution. My objectives for the event were to share my research findings with others, gather suggestions for advancing the laboratory aspect of the project, and learn from peers in the field of sustainability research. One of the workshops I attended was hosted by HIS, focusing on enhancing sustainability in IPC, where I had the opportunity to network with and learn from experts in the field.

Networking with experts at the sustainability workshop gave me insight into various potential ways to further my research. I also reviewed other abstracts, including one discussing the unnecessary use of gloves in Norwegian nursing homes and another on the potential environmental benefits of diagnostic stewardship. I also attended the social evenings on Wednesday and Thursday, which offered further opportunities to catch up with my institution's delegation, share knowledge with others, and strengthen pre-existing collaborations in a more relaxed setting. Overall, it was a well-organised conference. I have nothing but praise for the HIS organising team, and I am grateful to HIS for funding me to enjoy this incredible experience.