Mirza Alas Portillo completed her doctoral research at University College Dublin (UCD) between 2022 and 2025 under the supervision of Claas Kirchhelle. Her PhD critically examined the origins and evolution of the “empty antibiotic pipeline” concept from the 1970s onward, applying a historical lens to challenge standard narratives that frame the dry pipeline primarily as a market failure. Her work formed part of the Norwegian Research Council-funded consortium How Did the Antibiotic Pipeline Run Dry? (DryAP).

During her doctorate, Mirza co-authored publications on the history and current prospects of bacteriophage therapy, the paradoxes of antimicrobial innovation, and convened a witness seminar exploring shifting financial models for antibiotic R&D.

Before academia, Mirza worked in Geneva for an intergovernmental organisation and several NGOs, focusing on antimicrobial resistance, access to medicines, and global health governance. Her career bridges historical research with policy experience, bringing both depth and real-world insight to the pressing global health challenges of today.

Also see more info on Mirza’s Bugs & Drugs profile page.

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