An Unfinished Life: The True Impact of Antibiotic Resistance (Perth)

Attend the Perth screening of the documentary "Salt in My Soul" and hear from international and local experts in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

About Salt in My Soul

The documentary, "Salt in My Soul", follows the life of Mallory Smith. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 3, and a resistant superbug infection at the age of 15, Mallory reflects on life with a terminal, chronic, and sometimes invisible illness with incredible wisdom and insight. A keen environmentalist, she saw a startling and vivid metaphor for her declining health in the destruction of our world. In Mallory’s final days, her father uncovered a long-forgotten treatment that is now changing the world of medicine. Heartbreakingly, it came too late to save his daughter.

About the Event

Attendees will receive a drink upon arrival and light refreshments - so be sure to arrive on time. Guests will hear opening words from Mallory's mother - Diane Shader Smith - who is now a prolific advocate of AMR therapies across the US, and view a screening of Salt in My Soul. Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of a panel of AMR experts.

A portion of ticket proceeds will go to Mallory's Legacy Fund - which supports research projects and clinical trials in AMR.

About the Perth panel

Diane Shader Smith - Diane Shader Smith is the mother of Mallory Smith – whose life is detailed in the documentary “Salt in My Soul”. When Mallory died in 2017, at the age of 25, Diane’s career as a writer, speaker, publicist, and fundraiser pivoted into travelling around the US (and now Australia) sharing Mallory’s story to raise awareness for AMR, phage therapy and the power of the patient voice.

Diane has raised more than 6 million dollars for basic science and cystic fibrosis research with a current focus on phage therapy, a novel treatment for resistant bacteria that has possibilities for anyone battling a superbug.

Richard Alm - Richard is the Chief Scientist of CARB-X, a global nonprofit partnership focused on supporting antibacterial research. Launched out of Boston University and supported by the Wellcome Trust and BARDA, it is the world’s largest and most diverse portfolio of antibacterial technologies.

Richard joined CARB-X following almost 20 years in large pharma infection R&D teams and 4 years at a small antibacterial biotech company. He obtained his PhD from the University of Adelaide. Prior to joining industry he had two post-doctoral positions in the AMR area, one in Australia and one in Canada.

Professor Fiona Wood - Winthrop Professor Fiona Wood is a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon specialising in the field of burn care, trauma and scar reconstruction. She is a consultant and Director of the WA Burns Service of Western Australia at Perth Children’s Hospital and Fiona Stanley Hospital.

She has been the recipient of the 2003 Australian Medical Association ‘Contribution to Medicine’ Award and an Order of Australia Medal for work with Bali bombing victims. As a National Living Treasure and Australian Citizen of the Year in 2004. She received the honour of being named Australian of the Year in 2005. Fiona is hugely passionate about all medical innovation but has a special interest in AMR, given the vulnerability of burns patients to resistant, recurring infections.

Mel Robinson - Mel has worked across diverse roles over the past 32 years in health including clinical practice as a registered nurse, health management, education, research, strategy and policy. She has cultural connections to Gidja and Ngarinyin Country in the Kimberley of Western Australia.

Mel is passionate about improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families. She has a deep personal understanding of the impacts of colonisation, including having family members affected by Stolen Generation Policies. In October 2020, Mel commenced as Director Aboriginal Health Strategy at Child and Adolescent Health Service in Perth (WA).

Dr Angela Fonceca - A senior scientist in respiratory infection in Australia and overseas for 14 years, Dr Fonceca is the COO of Lixa - a Perth biotech startup developing antibiofilm technologies. She has extensive experience working with clinicians to enhance interdisciplinary work-flow and develop treatments and models for viral and bacterial infection. She was recently a laboratory lead at the Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and grants manager for the Child and Adolescent Health Service in Western Australia.

Host or Publisher Lixa