The AMR Narrative

Facebook X-twitter Instagram Linkedin Youtube
Menu

Trustees

The AMR Narrative / Trustees

Dr Francesca Chiara

Chair and Trustee

Dr. Chiara currently serves as Chair of The AMR Narrative. She was also director of the CIDRAP Antimicrobial Stewardship Project where her primary focus was on antimicrobial resistance and promoting the effective translation of evidence-based science into sustainable public health interventions that can lead to policy change.

Before joining CIDRAP, she worked at the Wellcome Trust, where she developed the antimicrobial resistance strategy and successfully established an international think tank, the Surveillance and Epidemiology of Drug Resistant Infections Consortium, aimed at strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance capacity in low- and middle-income countries. She has led a number of international partnership programs and multi-country research projects to strengthen health systems and improve understanding of the burden of drug resistance infections. In 2019, she launched the AMR Register to increase access to industry-generated antimicrobial resistance surveillance data.

She earned a PhD from University College London, a Master’s in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a Master’s Research Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the University of Milan. 

Prof. Adrian Brink

Trustee

Professor Adrian Brink is Head of the Division: Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and the National Health Laboratory Services, Cape Town, South Africa. Prof Brink was the founding President of the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa. 

Adrian is the co-founder and co-chair of the South African Antibiotic Stewardship Program (SAASP). He also currently serves on the South African Minister of Health’s Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Antimicrobial Resistance and is a member of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases International Affairs Subcommittee, representing Africa.

Prof. Renier Coetzee

Trustee

Renier Coetzee is a pharmacist by training. He is currently an associate professor at the School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape. He currently serves on various local and national department of health committees, appointed as expert reviewer of the Standard Treatment Guidelines for South Africa. His current research focus is in the area of Patient Safety, with a special interest in Rational Medicine Use and Primary Healthcare Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Using the social accountability framework, he is collaborating with various role players and stakeholders to engage with communities to strengthen the health care systems.

Dr Oliver van Hecke

Trustee

Oliver Van Hecke is a clinical researcher at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford and a General Practitioner (family physician).

His research focuses on ways to optimise antibiotic prescribing and reduce the impact of drug-resistant infections in communities. This broadly encompasses four areas: developing clinical decision-support tools; evaluating rapid diagnostic tests for common infections; promoting cross-discipline efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing; and making antibiotic awareness campaigns more impactful. Through his research, he has been an advocate for primary care clinicians doing their part to optimise antibiotic prescribing in the community. His current research can be viewed here.

He has acted as a panel witness on an All-Party Parliamentary Group at the House of Commons, as an invited speaker at major conferences (e.g. The Economist, Antimicrobial Resistance Summit) and chairperson of the Longitude Prize Symposium on Urinary Tract infections.

Dr Rachel Freeman

Trustee

Rachel is a specialist in infectious disease epidemiology, bringing 18 years’ expertise in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Her professional journey encompasses roles in healthcare, academia, public health, and industry. In her current position at IQVIA, she leads the company’s Global AMR Strategy, advocating for a data-driven response to AMR.

Rachel is committed to fostering stronger collaboration across sectors to address AMR. She is involved in initiatives involving governments, international organisations, academic institutions, and the life sciences industry, ensuring that real-world data and evidence effectively inform both policy development and practical solutions.

Motivated by her professional insights and personal experience with sepsis, Rachel is passionate about raising awareness about the critical connection between infection management and AMR, emphasising the vital role that patients and the wider public can play in ensuring that infections are treated appropriately.

Dr Jonathan Green

Trustee

As well as being a committed advocate in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, Jonathan is a Solicitor, leader in Data Privacy and has a track record of leading transformative change programmes.

As Director of Privacy Analytics for Europe at IQVIA, Jonathan spearheads transformative data privacy solutions that safeguard personal information while enhancing the value of data for the benefit of patients and health providers. This work includes working collaboratively with NHS England to implement privacy-enhancing technology for its Federated Data Platform, which streamlines secure health data sharing for improved patient care and operational efficiency.

Prior to this Jonathan led the Programme Management Office ensuring delivery of the UK Government’s National COVID Infection Survey Digital Model. Jonathan spent fifteen years as a lawyer working on behalf of patients who had been victims of medical accidents both as an advocate and legal representative. He was one of three lawyers who led the Royal Liverpool Hospital Organ Retention claim, which remains one of
the largest mediated settlements in England and Wales, and a legal representative at the Mid Staffordshire Hospital Inquiry.

He is completing a doctorate research study to understand ‘what works’ in successful delivery of public health programmes.

Dr Damiano de Felice

Trustee

Damiano de Felice, PhD, is a non-profit executive with experience leading teams across multiple functions, including business development and fundraising, policy and external relations, strategy and impact, operations and finance. Currently, he is a member of the Executive Team at CARB-X, where he leads External Affairs. He joined CARB-X from the Access to Medicine Foundation, where he served as Director of Strategy and a member of the Management Team. With expertise in the areas of global health, human rights and sustainable investing, Damiano has published his research and interviews in international news, magazines and academic journals, including the Financial Times, The Guardian, Harvard Business Review and Human Rights Quarterly. He has served on multiple expert and advisory groups, including the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Antimicrobial Resistance, World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Human Rights, SASB Advisory Group for the pharmaceutical sector, Global AMR R&D Hub Stakeholder Group, and Expert Committee for the UN Sustainable Procurement Index for Health. Throughout his career, Damiano has advised international organizations, companies, governments and NGOs. Damiano holds a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Dr Zbys Fedorowicz

Trustee

Dr. Fedorowicz earned his BDS from the Royal Dental Hospital, University of London, and his LDS RCS (Eng). Over the past thirty years, he has gained extensive clinical experience delivering dental care across diverse settings—from diamond mines in Namibia and oilfield deserts in Saudi Arabia to prestigious practices in Bahrain. He holds an MSc in Dental Public Health from King’s College London and a PhD from the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Dr. Fedorowicz served on the Board of the Cochrane Collaboration for six years and has authored 60 systematic reviews spanning a wide range of clinical contexts. He maintains a strong interest in the methodology and quality of systematic reviews assessing the effects of healthcare interventions.

Dr Marie-Anne Bouldouyre

Dr Marie-Anne Bouldouyre is an infectious diseases physician and hospital practitioner in Paris. Twelve years of clinical work in a suburban hospital shaped her understanding of access to care, patient relationships, and the daily reality of antimicrobial resistance.

Since 2022, she has led the Regional Antibiotic Stewardship Centre in Île-de-France and coordinates the national network, working with a multidisciplinary team to promote responsible antibiotic use and strengthen collaboration among healthcare professionals. She also continues to manage complex infections at Saint-Louis Hospital.

Convinced that antimicrobial resistance cannot be tackled by healthcare workers alone, she advocates for the active involvement of patients : understanding, questioning, and taking part in decisions about antibiotics. Their stories are essential to making this issue visible and concrete.

She is proud to collaborate with initiatives such as The AMR Narrative and hopes to foster similar projects in France to give patients a voice in this shared fight.

Dr Erva Cinar

Dr Erva Cinar is a London based paediatric resident doctor and clinical researcher with interest in infectious diseases.

She is currently completing a Master’s in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Through the World Medical Association’s Junior Doctor’s Network (WMA-JDN) AMR Working Group, she engages in policy and advocacy on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship at global level.

Alongside her clinical and academic roles, she works with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) and the International Child Health Group (ICHG); leads on organising teaching resources and educational events to improve research skills for UK paediatric trainees and for global child health professionals.

Hamu Madzedze

Hamu Madzedze is a seasoned Zimbabwean journalist with over 15 years’ experience.

She previously worked for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter and sub-editor, before establishing an independent website, 365HealthDiaries, which focuses on health and gender issues.

She holds a BA in Media Studies and a BA (Special Honours) in Communication and Media from the Zimbabwe Open University, as well as a diploma from the Christian College of Southern Africa.

Her work has been recognised with several awards, including the Global AMR Special Mention Award (2024), the Sexual Health Rights and Equity Fellowship Special Mention Award (2025), and the Merck Foundation Award (2024) for outstanding coverage of health issues, gender, infertility, and genital mutilation, where she achieved third position in the Online Category.

Hamu is passionate about addressing AMR through the media.

Jomana F. Musmar

Dr. Jomana Musmar is a distinguished global policy expert and proactive leader with over fifteen years of government experience in strategic planning, operational design, and policy execution. Renowned for simplifying complex topics with expertise and diplomacy, she has spearheaded innovative solutions to global health challenges, shaped impactful policies, and advanced national and international missions.

As the Executive Director of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria, she established and led the council’s operations, liaising with over 600 experts, worldwide, across government, industry, and academia. Her efforts culminated in the development of critical recommendations addressing antimicrobial resistance and interrelated One Health issues, influencing both domestic and global health strategies.

In her tenure as Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Infectious Diseases and HIV/AIDS Policy, at the US Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Musmar oversaw the formulation and implementation of national health strategies for vaccines and a range of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. Her leadership and technical expertise facilitated groundbreaking policies during national emergencies, including responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and initiatives to combat congenital syphilis and childhood vaccination disruptions. Dr. Musmar holds a Ph.D. in Biodefense from George Mason University, a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science policy and Advocacy from Georgetown University, and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Fluent in English and Arabic, she is a sought-after speaker and advisor, having represented the United States at premier global health conferences.

Her published works on antimicrobial resistance, pandemic preparedness, and national health security underscore her reputation as a thought leader and innovator in public health and biodefense.

Chris Shaffer

Chris Shaffer was a music, special education teacher, and high school principal for 45 years. At the end of his educational career, he was thrust into the world of AMR infections when a number of abdominal surgeries left him with an E-coli infection which failed to respond to antibiotics. After doctors in the USA left him with little hope for a cure, diminishing health, and a bleak prognosis, he set out on his own.

Chris found success in phage therapy at the Eliava Phage Therapy Center in Tbilisi, Georgia. With phage therapy giving Chris his life back, he has dedicated his retirement years to advocating for and helping raise awareness of phage therapy used for AMR infections. He tells the story of his phage journey in a book titled, Finding Phage: How I Partnered with a Friendly Virus to Cure My Deadly Bacterial Superinfection. His website, phagetherpyusa.com helps others learn to understand the healing power of phage therapy.

Demi Christofi

Demi is an Associate Scientific Director at a medical communications agency, with a background in microbiology and a longstanding focus on antimicrobial resistance. She holds an MSc in Microbiology, where she first became interested in the global challenge of resistance and the need to bring scientific understanding to wider audiences.

Demi’s career has centred on a simple but powerful belief: that how we communicate science matters. Her work focuses on making complex data clear, engaging, and accessible – whether for healthcare professionals, policy makers, or the patients most affected by infection and resistance. She has contributed to a wide range of AMR-focused projects, including educational programmes, congress communications and stewardship initiatives.

A central thread in Demi’s work is the importance of the patient voice. She is passionate about making sure real-world experiences of treatment failure, recurrent infections, and the anxiety surrounding resistance are not lost in the data. She believes that listening to patients and involving them meaningfully is essential for shaping more effective, human-centred responses to AMR.

Demi is also a strong advocate of the One Health approach, recognising AMR as a complex, interconnected issue that spans human health, animal health, and the environment. She is particularly drawn to efforts that move beyond siloed thinking and focus on practical, joined-up solutions.

In 2025, Demi joined The AMR Narrative as an Independent Advisor, where she supports the charity’s mission to centre communication, community, and inclusion in the global AMR response.

Outside of work, she is a Girlguiding unit leader and a qualified yoga teacher. These roles reflect her commitment to care, learning, and creating supportive spaces for others.

Andrea Hartley

Andrea has worked in health communications and campaigning for 3 decades. She is committed to fighting AMR through timely and appropriate communications globally,.

Andrea set up Skating Panda, the creative social and environmental impact consultancy, over a decade ago and drives its impact and growth. Focused on original and lasting public interest communications as well as issue strategy and advocacy, the Panda team has a track record of prompting tipping points in the status quo that drive better social and planetary outcomes.

Andrea’s combination of commercial marketing and development experience with deep issue knowledge have been sought by decision-makers at global summits, corporate and NGO board members, and have enabled her to set up multi-million fundraising platforms and push through policies that change and save lives. 

Andrea is Vice Chair of mothers2mothers, the world’s largest employer of women living with HIV, and a Board Director of Maymessy, a food poverty social enterprise.

A lifelong advocate for gender equality, she played a key role in establishing the UK’s Women’s Equality Party.

Esmita Charani

Professor Esmita Charani is a pharmacist and researcher investigating how we use antibiotics in different cultural and social contexts. She works with teams in the UK, India, and South Africa to develop research programmes investigating all aspects of antimicrobial resistance in human populations with a focus in hospital settings.

She has experience in communicating her research with patients and the public through various media including animations, blogs, and educational videos.