Alison Holmes is a physician-scientist in infectious diseases. She is the inaugural director of the Fleming Initiative, which offers an innovative approach to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – combining research, behaviour change, public engagement, and informed policy to provide real-world solutions that work to protect the health security of populations around the world.  

Holmes is a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London and the David Price Evans Chair of infectious diseases & global health at the University of Liverpool. Her work has made significant contributions to improving the management and the prevention of infection, addressing and mitigating AMR. Holmes has pioneered integrated approaches, and developed large collaborative, multidisciplinary research programmes. These focus on the improved management and prevention of infections, optimising antimicrobial use and addressing AMR. The integration of infectious diseases, microbiology, epidemiology, bioengineering and social sciences, and the development and application of innovative approaches and technologies for improved use of data and diagnostics enable precision medicine, preventive interventions and better access to effective therapy. 

Holmes established the network of Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation (CAMO-Net), a unique international research collaboration, involving multiple countries, supported by the Wellcome Trust. She is a past president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases and has served on numerous WHO expert groups, and on a range of national and international research panels and scientific advisory boards. In 2025 Holmes became co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on AMR. 

In the UK, Holmes is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and an NIHR Senior Investigator, and received an OBE for services to infectious diseases and medicine in 2021. She has had a longstanding medical career in the National Health Service and continues to serve in a variety of leadership and national expert advisory roles.