Professor Brendan Gilmore is the 2026 winner of the Royal College of Pharmacy’s Harrison Memorial Medal, awarded at its annual conference today. The honour recognises his pioneering contribution to pharmaceutical microbiology, particularly research into antimicrobial resistance and new approaches to infection control.

Professor Gilmore is Deputy Head of School and Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology at Queen’s University Belfast. His research has advanced understanding of bacterial biofilms — communities of bacteria that can make infections difficult to treat — and how they can be tackled.

The medal is awarded every two years in memory of distinguished pharmaceutical chemist Colonel EF Harrison. It recognises pharmaceutical scientists whose work has made a significant and lasting contribution to the field.

Professor Gilmore said: “I am honoured to receive the 2026 Harrison Memorial Medal and grateful to the Royal College of Pharmacy for this recognition.

“Having initially trained in community pharmacy, it has been a privilege to build an academic career in pharmaceutical science, specifically in the field of pharmaceutical microbiology, and to have worked alongside so many talented colleagues and students. I am grateful to the past and current members of my research group.

“I am particularly proud of the researchers I have supported and seen go on to develop their own careers in academia, industry, and in clinical pharmacy. I hope this award also recognises the importance of investing in the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists.”

One of Professor Gilmore’s most recent areas of research explores the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma as a new approach to infection control. His work has shown that short exposures can help antibiotics reach bacteria within biofilms and improve their effectiveness, including against highly resistant bacteria. The research is exploring potential applications in wound care and infections associated with orthopaedic implants.

He has secured more than £20m in research funding and published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers. He is an editor of Hugo & Russell’s Pharmaceutical Microbiology, a core textbook for pharmacy and pharmaceutical science students around the world.

Alongside his research, Professor Gilmore was President of the Society for Applied Microbiology from 2020 to 2023. He has also supervised around 20 postdoctoral researchers and more than 25 PhD students, with more than half of his PhD graduates going on to careers in schools of pharmacy in the UK, Ireland and the Middle East.

Professor Amira Guirguis, RCPharm Chief Scientist, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Professor Brendan Gilmore on receiving the 2026 Harrison Memorial Medal. His work advancing pharmaceutical microbiology, particularly in antimicrobial resistance and infection control, demonstrates the important contribution pharmaceutical science makes to tackling major healthcare challenges. Alongside his scientific achievements, his leadership and commitment to mentoring the next generation make him a thoroughly deserving recipient of this award.”

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