Who are the people working towards a safe and healthy world for both humans and animals alike? Murdoch University’s Professor Sam Abraham is a dedicated scientist with a focus on antimicrobial resistance.  

“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is arguably one of the major global health challenges for humanity,” he said. 

AMR occurs when bacteria no longer respond to medicines, like antibiotics. While these antibiotics have been saving lives and curing disease in humans, animals and plants for decades, as the bacteria they treat change over time, so does their response to the treatments, resulting in resistance to these medicines.  

“My research goals are to utilise novel technology to combat infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals.”   

Growing up in Kerala, southwest of India, Prof. Abraham joined Murdoch University in 2015 as an academic lecturer in microbiology, where he founded the Antimicrobial Resistance and Infectious Diseases (AMRID) laboratory.  

AMRID is focused on science for the world, research is conducted with tangible outcomes in mind.  

Prof. Abraham’s research in particular, focuses on the human-animal interface. 

I utilise robotics, genomics and microbiology to clarify the public health impact, origins, transmission pathways and risk factors associated with AMR in key zoonotic bacteria emerging in Australian animals.” 

As a teacher, he understands the importance of real-world experiences, both for his students and for the future of the agricultural and health industries.   

“[The] majority of my students are undertaking veterinary, animal and clinical laboratory science and will apply their skills and knowledge in various professions. Therefore, my primary goal is to provide relevance and real-world applications of the knowledge presented,” Prof. Abraham said. 

“I utilise my recent research findings and case studies in the area of AMR to demonstrate the real-world relevance and application to my students rather than focus solely on highly theoretical lectures.” 

Using scenario-based teaching allows him to convey the theory behind these complex concepts while providing students with an opportunity to understand how they can apply this knowledge in clinical practice as a veterinarian or as a clinical microbiologist.  

As part of our university strategy; Ngala Kwop Biddi Building a Brighter Future, Together, Murdoch aims to provide contemporary, accessible and inclusive education, with a high quality and engaging student experience, producing graduates who are adaptable and have fresh perspectives and a social conscience. 

For Prof. Abraham, AMR is crucial to building a brighter future as he and his team try to ensure that medicines still have the capability to cure disease and save lives into the future.