Organizers & Topics

2026 Keynote Speakers:

Colleen M. Cavanaugh, Harvard University

Jonathan A. Eisen, University of California, Davis

2026 Session Chairs:

Rosanna A. Alegado, University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa

Elizabeth L. Johnson, Cornell University

Jens Kreth, Oregon Health & Science University

Elizabeth K. Mallott, Washington University in St. Louis

Mark J. Mandel, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Irene L.G. Newton, Indiana University

Corlett W. Wood, University of Pennsylvania

2026 Conference Co-Chairs:

Federico Rey, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Rosanna A. Alegado, University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa

2026 Scientific Topics:

One Health and Beneficial Microbes

Microbe-Host Interaction at a Molecular Scale

Ecology and Evolution of Microbe-Host Interactions

Microbe-Microbe Interactions in the Context of a Host

Environmental and Social Drivers of Microbiome Composition & Function

Harnessing/Constructing Beneficial Microbes

2026 Planning Committee:

Kevin Kohl, University of Hawaii

Katherine Lemon, Baylor College of Medicine

Kat Milligan-McClellan, University of Connecticut

David Clarke, University of Cork

Elizabeth Johnson, Cornell University

Irene Newton, Indiana University

Buck Samuel, Baylor College of Medicine

Elizabeth Heath-Heckman, Michigan State University