Dr Tim Sandle has been selected for Pharmig’s Outstanding Contribution to Microbiology Award. The presentation was made at Pharmig’s 21st Annual Conference in Oxford in November 2013.
A number of people were put forward for the award with Dr Sandle (BPL) receiving the highest number of nominations. Among the reasons stated by the nominees were his ‘outstanding contribution not only to pharmaceutical microbiology but also to microbiology in general’ and his ‘use of technology’ that has enabled him to reach a global audience.
A recognised source of expertise within the industry, Dr Sandle has written numerous articles, blogs and several books and contributed to many others. He has more than 30 papers published in peer-reviewed journals and has written in excess of 100 technical papers for publications. His promotion of pharmaceutical microbiology has spread into social media, reaching a wider interest group and encouraging discussion among the industry. This includes the Pharmig blog, an excellent forum for discussion and point of reference. He manages several LinkedIn groups including ‘Pharmaceutical Microbiology’ and ‘Sterility Assurance Discussion Forum’. His Twitter feeds and Facebook accounts provide updates on current microbiology news, articles and information sources.
His publication and subsequent presentation of a ‘Risk Based Approach to Environmental Monitoring’ was attended and commended by the FDA as an approach they would like to adopt at the 2011 Annual PDA Conference in the US.
One spokeperson said: ‘What is amazing is that the majority of this is done in his free time, not for money or self promotion but because of a love for and belief in the subject.’