Saturday, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024
Project Summary The 2024 Microbial Toxins and Pathogenicity Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and its accompanying Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) “Microbes, Metabolism, Microbiome, Toxins and Disease” are designed to showcase exciting, innovative basic and applied research in the infectious disease field while promoting thoughtful discussion and networking between new and veteran researchers from the academic, biotech and government sectors. Since its inception in 1972, this biennial international conference continues to be regarded by the microbial pathogenesis community as our premier venue for intellectual exchange. To be held July 14-19 at Waterville Valley Conference Center in New Hampshire, the 2024 Conference is led by Chair Mary X.D. O’Riordan, PhD, Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Michigan, and Vice Chair Victor J. Torres, PhD, Professor & Chair of the Department of Host-Microbe Interactions at St. Jude’s Medical Center. Nine sessions will feature 32 invited speakers (plus 4 from the GRS), chosen to integrate cutting- edge research on: bacterial toxins and physiology, new approaches to study pathogens in the molecular, cellular and meta-organism contexts of the host including the associated microbiome, and how pathogens engage and evade host innate immune responses. To highlight the accomplishments of the next generation of scientists in our field, the GRC will be preceded by a GRS – a unique forum planned, led and attended by pre- and post- doctoral trainees. The 2024 Gordon Research Seminar Co-Chairs are Valeria Reyes Ruiz, Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Sean Callahan, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. The primary goals of the Microbial Toxins & Pathogenicity GRC/GRS are 1) to promote interdisciplinary interactions between scientists studying different facets of infectious disease; 2) to afford early career scientists opportunities to present their work to disciplinary experts; 3) provide a forum to stimulate ideas and collaborations, and 4) to provide training and career development opportunities for both new faculty and trainees. An intentional and anticipated outcome of the conference is for scientists from historically marginalized groups to have the opportunity to interact and develop professional mentoring relationships with successful scientists with similar lived experiences. The GRC Power HourTM remains an integral part of the conference and is designed to address challenges women and others from underrepresented groups face in science. Afternoon poster sessions will promote extended scientific discussions and networking between colleagues within and across disciplines and ranks. Together the Seminar and Conference promise to provide an exceptional and inclusive forum for a diverse community of scientists to learn about exciting discoveries in the field, and consider and challenge the current paradigms, barriers and opportunities to advancing knowledge of molecular mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis.
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