Amelia Barber named CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar – International recognition for Microverse researcher

Microbiologist at University of Jena, has been selected for the prestigious CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program. She joins a select group of early-career researchers from around the world who are recognized for their outstanding scientific contributions and strong potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Barber’s research focuses on how certain fungi—such as Candida and Aspergillus species—can cause disease in humans and unraveling how these capabilities are encoded within their genomes. Her work explores questions such as: What characteristics make these microbes infectious to humans? And how do environmental conditions or human contact influence their evolution as pathogens? She combines laboratory experiments with cutting-edge computational approaches to gain new insights into fungal biology.

An additional focus of her research is on drug-resistant fungi, which are spreading rapidly and raising global health concerns. Her team is developing new methods to detect these pathogens early and to better understand how they evolve.

“I’m thrilled to be selected as a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar representing the Fungal Kingdom program, and to have the opportunity to further develop my research in an international and interdisciplinary environment,” says Dr. Amelia Barber. “Collaborating with researchers from other fields often brings exciting new ideas and perspectives.”

The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program connects early-career researchers from around the world with leading scientists to tackle fundamental research questions together. In addition to financial support for their research, the program offers training in science communication, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Barber’s selection is not only a personal achievement but also a strong a strong signal of the growing international quality of research in Jena.