Southampton Professor celebrated for antimicrobial research

A Faculty of Medicine Professor has been recognised for his dedication to antimicrobial research.

Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research, has received the 2023 Garrod medallist of the year award.

The Garrod Lecture was inaugurated in 1982, in honour of L P Garrod (1896-1979), whose writing and influence on antimicrobial chemotherapy was so important in the development of the discipline and his practical clinical approach based on meticulous laboratory work.

The award is bestowed by the council of the ethos of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and honours individuals who are an international authority in the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy.

Professor Little has spent decades at the forefront of primary care research with two areas of interest: the importance of health promotion; and the management of common self-limiting illnesses - including the more appropriate use of antibiotics to combat the major public health threat of antibiotic resistance.

Professor Little said: “It is great honour for a primary care researcher to be awarded this medal, but it really is not about an individual - this is mainly a reflection on the wonderful fun teams who have actually done this work, and a great testament to the support I get from a super set of colleagues and friends, not to mention my lovely family.”

Professor Little will deliver a lecture at either the Society’s Spring or Winter Conference or the annual conference of the Federation of Infection Societies and is endowed with Honorary Membership of the Society.