Linda Veloo: Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms in Anaerobic Bacteria

Dr. Alida Catharina Maria (A.C.M.) Veloo is well known for her research on anaerobic bacteria. She is affiliated at the department of Medical Microbiology and Infection prevention of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), the Netherlands. After obtaining her PhD on Gram-positive anaerobic cocci, Dr. Veloo’s research has primarily focused on the identification of clinically relevant anaerobic bacteria using MALDI-TOF MS and whole genome sequencing. Her work includes assessing antibiotic susceptibility profiles and investigating the mechanisms underlying resistance, particularly in genera such as Bacteroides and Prevotella. In addition to mapping antibiotic resistance among anaerobic bacteria in the Netherlands, she has made significant contributions to understanding resistance patterns across Europe. Notably, she has played a key role in uncovering the occurrence of metronidazole and carbapenem resistance in clinically relevant Bacteroides and Prevotella species. Her scholarly work on these subjects is widely recognised and published in peer reviewed journals. Among her goals is emphasising the importance of anaerobic bacteria in human infections by highlighting rising resistance rates, teaching in various courses, and actively participating in professional organisations such as the European Study Group of Anaerobic Infections (ESGAI).