After his graduation from Redeemer’s biology and chemistry programs in 2003, David Speicher’s studies carried him across the world to Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, where he obtained his MSc in clinical microbiology in 2006, and his PhD in virology in 2012.

In 2014, Speicher and his family moved back to Canada. This past June, Speicher was awarded a post-doctoral research fellowship through McMaster University, funded through and based at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

On October 13, Dr. Speicher was recognized for his success in winning the Research Institute’s sole post-doctoral fellowship award.

Speicher is using his expertise to tackle a project in the area of microbiology and infectious disease. He is investigating viruses that infect bacteria—bacteriophages—in a subset of patients with Clostridium difficile and who undergo faecal microbiota transplantation.

Each year, the Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton hosts a celebration of research achievement, honouring recipients of its funding opportunities. On October 13, Dr. Speicher was recognized for his success in winning the Research Institute’s sole post-doctoral fellowship award.

Speicher has been on faculty in Australia since 2011. He is still heavily involved in research there. He also continues to work on several research projects worldwide, including India and Cambodia.