From Nov. 29 - Dec. 3, 2021, the Â鶹AV Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4) hosted Infection and Immunity Week, a Â鶹AV Bicentennial Signature Event, featuring international keynote speakers, MI4 researchers and Â鶹AV students.
Whether it’s the COVID-19 pandemic, antimicrobial resistance, emerging zoonotic infections and more, Infection and Immunity Week celebrated innovation and solutions to tackle infectious and immune threats to human health.
Our week of activities included:
- International Speakers
- Keynote speaker viewing party
- Workshops
- Symposiums
- Student Research Day
Events
- Monday, November 29
- Tuesday, November 30
- Wednesday, December 1
- Thursday, December 2
- Friday, December 3
Monday, November 29 (Day)
Towards Personalized Infection Medicine: from molecules to patients to communities
MI4 – Helmholtz Symposium
8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
An exchange of perspectives on personalized medicine, as it pertains to infection diseases, between physicians and scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Germany and Â鶹AV.
- Keynote Speaker: Prof. Ugur Sahin, CEO of BioNTech
- Speakers, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research: Prof. Chase Beisel, Prof. Yang Li, Prof. Gérard Krause
- Speakers, Â鶹AV University: Dr. Don Vinh, Dr. Patricia Fontela, Dr. Alexandra de Pokomandy
- Audience: Scientific
- Location: Online
- Event Agenda
Monday, November 29 (Evening)
Humans and Microbes: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?
Keynote Viewing Party and Official Launch of Infection and Immunity Week
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
MI4 welcomed researchers and otherÌý community membersÌýfor Dr. Arturo Casadevall's keynote lecture and official launch of Infection and Immunity Week. This evening set the tone for the week of events and outlined why Infection and Immunity is so important in our world today, whether it’s the current COVID-19 pandemic, antimicrobial resistance, emerging zoonotic infections and other current topics.
- Speaker: Dr. Arturo Casadevall (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)
- Audience: General
- Location: Â鶹AV Faculty Club and online
Tuesday, November 30
One Health: Defining Specific Actions to Face Emerging Zoonotic Infections
Combined Workshop from the JD MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases and the Â鶹AV Centre for Viral Diseases
1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
This interactive high-level workshop brought together clinicians, basic scientists, funders and policymakers with a mix of plenary and break-out sessions. The session defined the specific actions points concerning parasitic, viral, and bacterial emerging infections seen through the lens of One Health pillars. Our goal wasÌýto provide an actionable agenda for researchers, funders and policymakers.
- Speaker: Dr. Emily Jenkins
- Audience: Scientific, general
- Location: Online
Wednesday, December 1
New Frontiers in Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases
Â鶹AV Research Centre on Complex Traits (MRCCT) Symposium
8:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This symposium presentedÌýongoing innovative research performed by new and senior MRCCT investigators, as well as international collaborators who are leaders in the study of inflammatory diseases. Two international speakers also provided updates on the mechanisms of inflammation in COVID-19. While we explored novel perspectives on the mechanisms underlying the development of inflammatory diseases, we also highlighted ground-breaking research ongoing at Â鶹AV.
- Speakers: Dr. Gretchen Diehl and Dr. Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Audience: Scientific
- Location: Online
- Event Agenda
Ìý
Thursday, December 2
Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbiome Symposium
Combined symposium by the Â鶹AV Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre and theÌýÂ鶹AV Centre for Microbiome Research
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
This dynamic virtual event featuredÌýa video on research at Â鶹AV, graduate student presentations in the style of “3 minutes thesisâ€, two keynote lectures and a panel discussion on the future of Antimicrobial Resistance and Microbiome research, considering also a one-health perspective.
- Speakers: Dr. Eric. Pamer (University of Chicago), Dr. Ilana L. Brito (Cornell University)
- Panelists: Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe (University ofÌýGuelph, co-founder of NuBiyota), Dr. Ed Topp (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada), Dr. B. Jesse Shapiro (Â鶹AV)
- Audience: Scientific, general
- Location: Online
- Event Agenda
Friday, December 3
Infection and Immunity Symposium Student Day
Student Research Day
8:45 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Infection and Immunity Symposium Student Day featuredÌýthree main sessions throughout the day and showcases the innovative student research in infection and immunity at Â鶹AV, while also providing opportunities for students to network and discuss future opportunities in research and beyond.
- Speaker, first session: Dr. Samantha Gruenheid
- Speakers, second session: Dr. Susanna Harris (Science Communicator), Dr. Ritu Dhand (Vice-President, Editorial, Nature Journals), Sarwat Khan (Scientist, Nexelis)
- Audience: Students, faculty, Â鶹AV alumni
- Location: Online
- Agenda
- Theme-based schedule