With over 20 years of experience in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Karen Wares has held a variety of clinical, academic, and leadership roles in the field. She is currently Clinical & Scientific Director at GAMA Healthcare, where she focuses on clinical education, research and innovation in infection prevention. Karen is a Conjoint Fellow at the University of Newcastle, Sydney, and a Senior Associate Lecturer at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. She is also an active member of the Infection Prevention Society’s (IPS) R&D Committee, supporting research initiatives within the profession. Before moving into industry, Karen spent 13 years in NHS Grampian, working in senior infection prevention roles, including Nurse Consultant and Healthcare-Associated Infection Education Lead. She holds two master’s degrees: one in Nursing (University of Aberdeen) and another in Infection Control (University of the Highlands and Islands). Karen remains committed to advancing IPC through research, education, and professional collaboration.