In February, ARLG investigators Ritu Banerjee, M.D., Ph.D., Melinda Pettigrew, Ph.D., and committee member Kerry LaPlante, Pharm.D., gathered in Washington D.C. as ambassadors of PEW Charitable Trust’s annual Stand Up to Superbugs initiative.
The goal of the initiative is to meet with state representatives and public officials to raise awareness of the growing public health threat of antibiotic resistance. Key messages focus on the need for increased antibiotic development and innovation, the proper use of antibiotics, and increased funding to combat the issue.
More than 40 ambassadors took part in the initiative from various occupations including health care professionals, public health officials, scientists, farmers, and veterinarians as well as individuals who have had personal experiences with antibiotic resistance.