Post by Eawag

Denise Wälchli received her Hydrobiology-Limnology prize last week at the annual event of the Hydrobiology-Limnology Foundation 🏅 She received the prize for her master thesis titled “From Local to Regional: The Impact of Anthropogenic Sources on Antimicrobial Resistance in the Dünnern and Aare Rivers” 🎉 The aim of the study was to examine the anthropogenic impact (primarily from treated #wastewater) on the spread of antibiotic resistance in the rivers Dünnern and Aare. 💡 “We specifically examined how the dynamics of resistance genes change when treated wastewater is discharged into the river, as well as how the bacterial community is impacted”, she explains. In the Aare, she also looked at how resistance dynamics develop from the source to the confluence with the Rhine, how the ‘underlying dynamics’ are shaped by the inflow of treated wastewater, and what roles the Aare’s tributaries and lakes play in terms of resistance gene distribution. 💡 “Receiving this award means a lot to me. Beyond recognizing my scientific work, it highlights the relevance and urgency of addressing antimicrobial resistance in an interconnected way that goes beyond the clinical context and considers the spread and fate of resistance genes in aquatic ecosystems”, says Denise. She also had the opportunity to present her work at the annual event of the foundation and to receive her award. Congratulations 💪🎉 📷 Prize winner Denise Wälchli  together with Jakob Pernthaler (Vice-President) and Friedrich Jüttner (President) #limnology #hydrobiology #antibioticresistance #aquaticresearch #ecosystems