I landed in Glasgow, Scotland last week seeking some much-needed rest and relaxation. Instead, I was welcomed with blaring headlines in the local press: “Antibiotic-resistant superbugs 'will kill 90,000 Britons by 2050'.” Proof, again, that when it comes to risks from infectious diseases, that there is no such thing as rest—particularly for those who face these threats head on and work to protect society from them.

I grew up believing in the forward trajectory of progress in science and medicine – that human health would continue to improve as it had for hundreds of years. As I progressed through my own career in health sciences, I continued to be optimistic.

Superbugs are bacteria that are resistant to most, and sometimes all antibiotics. They are now causing many common infections in what is a major and growing international problem. Some of these infections have very limited options for therapy and will result in death.