Laura Petch, a second year School of Biosciences PhD student in the Kent Fungal Group, has been made a “Champion” of the Microbiology Society. This is one of the largest microbiology societies in Europe with a worldwide membership of over 5000 based in universities, industry, hospitals, research institutes and schools. Society “Champions” are members of the Society who help raise the Society’s profile in their local area. They do so by initiating activities and events of their own, or participating in Society-led events to achieve the same result. Laura exemplifies the requirements of the Champions namely “….a passion for the subject matter and an enthusiasm to communicate it widely…”