What we are
The Acid Fast Club was formed in 1954 by scientists at the National Institute for Medical Research in London, and has become the de facto UK mycobacterial research society through biannual meetings, at which all aspects of mycobacterial research are presented. Talks by young scientists are especially welcomed.
Who we are
There are ~100 members who form the committee, arrange meetings, and make decisions about the constitution and how the club is run. Members also help fund the club through an annual subscription. To become a member – you must be proposed and seconded by existing members, be active in the mycobacterial research field in the UK, and have presented at least one talk at a meeting. Meetings of members are held during the refreshment breaks in the middle of our meetings.
Our meetings
We hold meetings twice a year normally in January (in London) and July (outside London). Anyone may attend or speak, whether a member or not, but non-members must apply through a member. Thus we regularly have 200 attendees in the January meetings, even though there are <100 members. We would welcome individuals and groups who have not attended in the past but who would wish to do so; such people should contact a committee member.
Our committee
The committee consists of members who agree to take on administrative roles for a fixed period. The current committee consists of:
Chair: Mike Barer (mrb19@leicester.ac.uk)
Secretary: Simon Waddell (s.waddell@bsms.ac.uk)
Treasurer: Helen O’Hare (mno7@leicester.ac.uk)
Meeting secretary: Dany Beste (d.beste@surrey.ac.uk)
Other committee members:
Tim Bull (tim.bull@citystgeorges.ac.uk)
Sanjib Bhakta (s.bhakta@bbk.ac.uk)
Jackie Cliff (Jacqueline.Cliff@brunel.ac.uk)