When passion is not enough: the waning of the infectious disease workforce

Scientists and physicians who pursue careers in infectious diseases are often passionate about understanding microbial pathogenesis and anti-microbial resistance. They are driven by the impact that their work has on improving public health and reducing human suffering through the discovery, development, and delivery of technologies that enable prevention and radical cure of debilitating and deadly diseases. Yet, despite their passion, there is a shrinking talent pool in antibiotic research and development (R&D) (https://www.amrindustryalliance.org/mediaroom/leaving-the-lab-tracking-the-decline-in-amr-rd-professionals/) as well as in the clinical practice specialty of infectious diseases as recognized by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (https://www.idsociety.org/news--publications-new/articles/2024/idsa-and-pids-statement-on-2024-id-fellowship-match/). This talent drain has wide repercussions beyond its impact on R&D and clinical practice and needs to be addressed from many angles to attract and retain new talent, to increase investment in and output from antibiotic R&D, and to mitigate the rising risk of the inability to deliver safe and efficacious solutions to patients in need.