North America Microbiome Congress 2018
North America Microbiome Congress
5-7 February, 2018
San Diego, CA, USA

Why Attend

Welcome to the 3rd Annual North America Microbiome Congress!

The 3rd Annual North America Microbiome Congress in San Diego, by Kisaco Research, has become a trusted learning and networking platform and a true business community for microbiologists, clinicians regulatory and industry executives who require an insight into the latest microbiome research, clinical trials and collaborative partnerships.

With a focus on 5 microbiome niches such as the gut, lung, oral, skin and vaginal- we invite you to join us for 3 days of intense learning, mind-sharing and networking opportunities designed to encourage meaningful connections. In addition, we will be hosting poster sessions for PhD students to provide opportunities for all scientists to learn about state-of-the-art research methods and clinical protocols for conducting microbiome work.

  • Meet and learn from industry leaders
  • Consider the practical aspects of promoting effective partnerships
  • Learn from the latest unpublished data
  • Network with top academics and clinicians in the field

The Speakers

 

Stefan Jennewein

Managing Director
Jennewein

Dr. Stefan Jennewein studied Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Organic Chemistry at the Universities of Sussex (Brighton, UK), Zurich (CH), Tübingen (D) and Cambridge (UK), and at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (Munich, D), where he obtained a PhD. He also gained practical experience through his work at Washington State University (Pullman, USA), the company DSM N.V. (Delft, NL), the Technical University of Darmstadt (D), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Aachen, D) as the Head of  the Department of Industrial Biotechnology. Dr.

Stefan Jennewein

Managing Director
Jennewein

Stefan Jennewein

Managing Director
Jennewein

Dr. Stefan Jennewein studied Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Organic Chemistry at the Universities of Sussex (Brighton, UK), Zurich (CH), Tübingen (D) and Cambridge (UK), and at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (Munich, D), where he obtained a PhD. He also gained practical experience through his work at Washington State University (Pullman, USA), the company DSM N.V. (Delft, NL), the Technical University of Darmstadt (D), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Aachen, D) as the Head of  the Department of Industrial Biotechnology. Dr. Stefan Jennewein is the Founder & CEO of Jennewein Biotechnologie GmbH

 

Mary Regan

Associate Professor
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Mary Regan has a strong clinical background in perinatal nursing, with specific training and expertise in bio informatics. She trained as a certified nurse midwife in the United Kingdom and spent over 19 years working as a perinatal nurse specialist where she gained considerable expertise in pregnancy related health issues. She has been the PI on many State-funded grants and has received NIH funding for a grant focused on women’s decision making about birth (R21 HD059074-01A1) and the vaginal microbiota in preterm birth (R01NR014826-02).

Mary Regan

Associate Professor
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Mary Regan

Associate Professor
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Mary Regan has a strong clinical background in perinatal nursing, with specific training and expertise in bio informatics. She trained as a certified nurse midwife in the United Kingdom and spent over 19 years working as a perinatal nurse specialist where she gained considerable expertise in pregnancy related health issues. She has been the PI on many State-funded grants and has received NIH funding for a grant focused on women’s decision making about birth (R21 HD059074-01A1) and the vaginal microbiota in preterm birth (R01NR014826-02). The findings from the R21 have been presented internationally and multiple publications have disseminated the findings. The R01 is in its final year and to date over 200 women have been recruited from the birthing population in Baltimore and followed for six month through pregnancy and to the post part period. Dr. Regan works as an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Maryland. She serves on the board of Improving Birth.

 

Jim Weston

Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs
Seres Therapeutics

Jim Weston

Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs
Seres Therapeutics

Jim Weston

Vice President and Head of Regulatory Affairs
Seres Therapeutics
 

Janet Jansson

Division Director of Biological Sciences
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Janet Jansson is the Division Director of Biological Sciences at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). She is also PNNL’s sector manager for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research’s Biological Systems Science Division. Before coming to PNNL (June 2014) she was a senior staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2007-2014) and headed the Ecosystems Biology Program for the Earth Sciences Division at the Berkeley Lab.

Janet Jansson

Division Director of Biological Sciences
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Janet Jansson

Division Director of Biological Sciences
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Janet Jansson is the Division Director of Biological Sciences at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). She is also PNNL’s sector manager for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Biological and Environmental Research’s Biological Systems Science Division. Before coming to PNNL (June 2014) she was a senior staff scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2007-2014) and headed the Ecosystems Biology Program for the Earth Sciences Division at the Berkeley Lab. She also held Adjunct Professor positions at UC Berkeley and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2012-2014.

 

Sarkis K. Mazmanian

Luis B. and Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology; Investigator, Heritage Medical Research Institute. B.S.
University of California

Sarkis Mazmanian is a medical microbiologist. He has been employed at the California Institute of Technology since 2006, and is currently the Louis & Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering. Before his current position, he was associated with the University of Chicago and Harvard Medical School. In 2012, Mazmanian was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship for his pioneering work on the human microbiome. Mazmanian's research investigates the symbiotic relationship between beneficial bacteria and their hosts.

Sarkis K. Mazmanian

Luis B. and Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology; Investigator, Heritage Medical Research Institute. B.S.
University of California

Sarkis K. Mazmanian

Luis B. and Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology; Investigator, Heritage Medical Research Institute. B.S.
University of California

Sarkis Mazmanian is a medical microbiologist. He has been employed at the California Institute of Technology since 2006, and is currently the Louis & Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering. Before his current position, he was associated with the University of Chicago and Harvard Medical School. In 2012, Mazmanian was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship for his pioneering work on the human microbiome. Mazmanian's research investigates the symbiotic relationship between beneficial bacteria and their hosts. In seminal work, Mazmanian discovered the first microbial molecule that has direct beneficial effects on mammals.

 

Susan Lynch

Director, Colitis and Crohn's Disease Microbiome Research Core
UCSF

Research in the Lynch laboratory addresses key areas of human microbiome research:

• Early-life microbiome assembly
• Community perturbation and reassembly
• Relationships between microbiome composition, function and chronic immune activation
• Development of rationally designed novel microbiome-based therapeutics
• The gut-airway axis

Susan Lynch

Director, Colitis and Crohn's Disease Microbiome Research Core
UCSF

Susan Lynch

Director, Colitis and Crohn's Disease Microbiome Research Core
UCSF

Research in the Lynch laboratory addresses key areas of human microbiome research:

• Early-life microbiome assembly
• Community perturbation and reassembly
• Relationships between microbiome composition, function and chronic immune activation
• Development of rationally designed novel microbiome-based therapeutics
• The gut-airway axis

 

Gregory Buck

Professor, Director, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
VCU

Gregory Buck

Professor, Director, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
VCU

Gregory Buck

Professor, Director, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
VCU
 

Josie Ni

Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania

Josie was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and grew up in Chicago. She received her undergraduate education from University of California, Berkley, and attended Medical School at Northwestern University. Josie did her Residency at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, where she was  selected as the curriculum Chief Resident, charged with creating a formal program curriculum.

Josie Ni

Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania

Josie Ni

Division of Gastroenterology, Perelman School of Medicine
University of Pennsylvania

Josie was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and grew up in Chicago. She received her undergraduate education from University of California, Berkley, and attended Medical School at Northwestern University. Josie did her Residency at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, where she was  selected as the curriculum Chief Resident, charged with creating a formal program curriculum.

 

Professor Andreas Bäumler

UC Davis School of Medicine

Professor Andreas Bäumler

UC Davis School of Medicine

Professor Andreas Bäumler

UC Davis School of Medicine
 

Professor Michelle McGuire

Washington State University

Shelley McGuire received her BS in biology from the University of Illinois (1986), an MS in nutritional sciences from the University of Illinois (1988), and a PhD in human nutrition from Cornell University (1994). Her research focuses primarily on understanding better how maternal dietary intake and nutritional status influence breast health, milk composition, and duration of postpartum amenorrhea.

Professor Michelle McGuire

Washington State University

Professor Michelle McGuire

Washington State University

Shelley McGuire received her BS in biology from the University of Illinois (1986), an MS in nutritional sciences from the University of Illinois (1988), and a PhD in human nutrition from Cornell University (1994). Her research focuses primarily on understanding better how maternal dietary intake and nutritional status influence breast health, milk composition, and duration of postpartum amenorrhea.

 

David Sela

Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science
University of Massachusetts

David Sela is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science. Moreover he holds an adjunct appointment in the Dept. of Microbiology and Dept. of Microbiology and Physiological Systems at the UMass Medical School. Dr. Sela’s research is focused on the mechanisms by which breast milk molecules direct the population structure, and often function, of microbiota that colonize the infant gastrointestinal tract. Dr.

David Sela

Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science
University of Massachusetts

David Sela

Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science
University of Massachusetts

David Sela is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science. Moreover he holds an adjunct appointment in the Dept. of Microbiology and Dept. of Microbiology and Physiological Systems at the UMass Medical School. Dr. Sela’s research is focused on the mechanisms by which breast milk molecules direct the population structure, and often function, of microbiota that colonize the infant gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Sela joined UMass Amherst after conducting postdoctoral research with David Mills in the Foods for Health Institute at University of California, Davis and David Relman at Stanford University School of Medicine. 

 

Andrew Gewirtz

Professor, Institute of Biomedical Science
Georgia State University

Andrew Gewirtz, university center professor at Georgia State University, specializes in research on innate immunity, microbiome, intestinal inflammation and obesity/diabetes. Inflammation plays a central role in many disease states, and his goal is to understand the normal mechanisms by which pro-inflammatory signals protect against microbes and discern how they go awry in disease states. His primary area of focus is on the intestinal epithelium.

Gewirtz earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine.

Andrew Gewirtz

Professor, Institute of Biomedical Science
Georgia State University

Andrew Gewirtz

Professor, Institute of Biomedical Science
Georgia State University

Andrew Gewirtz, university center professor at Georgia State University, specializes in research on innate immunity, microbiome, intestinal inflammation and obesity/diabetes. Inflammation plays a central role in many disease states, and his goal is to understand the normal mechanisms by which pro-inflammatory signals protect against microbes and discern how they go awry in disease states. His primary area of focus is on the intestinal epithelium.

Gewirtz earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine.

 

Bruce Taillon

Senior Director, External Innovation
Elanco

Bruce Taillon

Senior Director, External Innovation
Elanco

Bruce Taillon

Senior Director, External Innovation
Elanco
 

David Kyle

Chairman of the Board, Chief Scientific Officer
Evolve Biosystems

Talk to me about… your research 

I am the Chairman and CSO of Evolve Biosystems Inc and a 30-year veteran of biotech having co-founded a range of successful biotech companies in the fields of nutrition and health. These include Martek Biosciences that focuses on DHA and ARA nutrition for infants, which was acquired by DSM in 2011 for $1.1 Billion and Evolve BioSystems the leader in the field of the infant microbiome. I am trained as a biochemist and have spent most of my career working with mothers and babies, focusing specifically on infant nutrition.

David Kyle

Chairman of the Board, Chief Scientific Officer
Evolve Biosystems

David Kyle

Chairman of the Board, Chief Scientific Officer
Evolve Biosystems

Talk to me about… your research 

I am the Chairman and CSO of Evolve Biosystems Inc and a 30-year veteran of biotech having co-founded a range of successful biotech companies in the fields of nutrition and health. These include Martek Biosciences that focuses on DHA and ARA nutrition for infants, which was acquired by DSM in 2011 for $1.1 Billion and Evolve BioSystems the leader in the field of the infant microbiome. I am trained as a biochemist and have spent most of my career working with mothers and babies, focusing specifically on infant nutrition.

Talk to me about…something people may not know about you

 I am the named inventor on over 250 patents and was inducted into the US Technology Hall of Fame in 200 for my contributions to Science and Industry. I am passionately engaged in bringing new technologies into commerce to improve the life-long health trajectory of all infants worldwide

 

Rebecca Santelli

Associate Professor
UNC School of Medicine

Rebecca Santelli

Associate Professor
UNC School of Medicine

Rebecca Santelli

Associate Professor
UNC School of Medicine
 

Maria Marco

Associate Professor, Food Science and Technology
UC Davis

Professor Marco’s team is investigating the ecology and molecular genetics of beneficial bacteria associated with plant surfaces and mammalian digestive tracts. Organisms of particular interest in the Marco lab are Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) found in plant and gut environments. LAB are important for the production of (fermented) food products and specific strains are currently being applied as probiotics to deliver health benefits in the human gut.

Maria Marco

Associate Professor, Food Science and Technology
UC Davis

Maria Marco

Associate Professor, Food Science and Technology
UC Davis

Professor Marco’s team is investigating the ecology and molecular genetics of beneficial bacteria associated with plant surfaces and mammalian digestive tracts. Organisms of particular interest in the Marco lab are Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) found in plant and gut environments. LAB are important for the production of (fermented) food products and specific strains are currently being applied as probiotics to deliver health benefits in the human gut. This lab aims to understand the molecular adaptations and activities of LAB in the context of the indigenous plant and gut microbiota to improve food production and maintain human health.

 

Dana Graves

Professor, Department of Periodontics
Penn Dental Medicine

In addition to his appointment as a Professor, Department of Periodontics, Dr. Graves is also Vice Dean for Scholarship and Research and Director, Doctor of Science in Dentistry Program at Penn Dental Medicine. He also served as Interim Chair of the Department of Periodontics from 2015 to 2017. His key research interests are in the areas of inflammation and diabetes as they relate to periodontal disease and the loss and repair of connective tissue and bone.

Dana Graves

Professor, Department of Periodontics
Penn Dental Medicine

Dana Graves

Professor, Department of Periodontics
Penn Dental Medicine

In addition to his appointment as a Professor, Department of Periodontics, Dr. Graves is also Vice Dean for Scholarship and Research and Director, Doctor of Science in Dentistry Program at Penn Dental Medicine. He also served as Interim Chair of the Department of Periodontics from 2015 to 2017. His key research interests are in the areas of inflammation and diabetes as they relate to periodontal disease and the loss and repair of connective tissue and bone.

 

David H. Donabedian

Co-founder & CEO
Axial Biotherapeutics

David H. Donabedian, Ph.D., will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Axial and will also serve on its Board.  Dr. Donabedian is an accomplished business development and strategy executive with extensive leadership experience. Dr. Donabedian has a track record of building companies, most recently as a Venture Partner at Longwood Fund.

David H. Donabedian

Co-founder & CEO
Axial Biotherapeutics

David H. Donabedian

Co-founder & CEO
Axial Biotherapeutics

David H. Donabedian, Ph.D., will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Axial and will also serve on its Board.  Dr. Donabedian is an accomplished business development and strategy executive with extensive leadership experience. Dr. Donabedian has a track record of building companies, most recently as a Venture Partner at Longwood Fund.

Prior to joining Longwood, Dr. Donabedian has held various leadership roles at biopharmaceutical companies including AbbVie and GSK. At AbbVie, Dr. Donabedian served as Vice President & Global Head of Ventures and Early Stage Collaborations where he led a global team that completed significant transactions across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of development. Prior to AbbVie, Dr. Donabedian served as Vice President Global New Deal Strategy and Development at GlaxoSmithKline, and Senior Manager at Accenture’s Strategic Services Consulting Group.

He holds a BA in Chemistry from St. Anselm College, a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina. He currently serves on the Board of Alcyone Life Sciences, a privately held CNS company which he co-founded.

 

Travis Whitfill

Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Azitra

Travis Whitfill is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics. His background began in molecular biology and biochemistry, after receiving scientific training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Duke University. He is the co-founder of several additional startup companies, including a Connecticut-based microbiome company, Azitra Inc. He brings strong background in entrepreneurship and business, and is also a partner in a venture capital fund, Bios Partners, bringing experience in public markets, drug development, and venture capital investments.

Travis Whitfill

Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Azitra

Travis Whitfill

Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer
Azitra

Travis Whitfill is an Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Pediatrics. His background began in molecular biology and biochemistry, after receiving scientific training at the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Duke University. He is the co-founder of several additional startup companies, including a Connecticut-based microbiome company, Azitra Inc. He brings strong background in entrepreneurship and business, and is also a partner in a venture capital fund, Bios Partners, bringing experience in public markets, drug development, and venture capital investments.

His research interests are in pediatric emergency medicine and health policy and to improve pediatric acute care across the United States. 

 

Ricardo Teles

Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics
University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Teles comes to Penn Dental Medicine from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, where he served as OraPharma Distinguished Professor in the Department of Periodontology since 2014 and Vice Chair of the Department since 2015. Part of The Forsyth Institute since 2003, Dr. Teles most recently served as Senior Research Investigator (2014-2017) in the Department of Applied Oral Sciences within the Center for Periodontology. From 2010-2014, Dr.

Ricardo Teles

Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics
University of Pennsylvania

Ricardo Teles

Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontics
University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Teles comes to Penn Dental Medicine from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, where he served as OraPharma Distinguished Professor in the Department of Periodontology since 2014 and Vice Chair of the Department since 2015. Part of The Forsyth Institute since 2003, Dr. Teles most recently served as Senior Research Investigator (2014-2017) in the Department of Applied Oral Sciences within the Center for Periodontology. From 2010-2014, Dr. Teles also held the appointment of Associate Director of Forsyth’s Center for Clinical and Translational Research and served as the Center’s Director from 2009-2010. Since 2003, he was also a clinical instructor in periodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

 

Flavia Teles

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology
University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Teles comes to Penn Dental Medicine from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Dentistry, where since 2014, she served as Research Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontology, and during that same period, she served as Associate Research Investigator in the Department of Applied Oral Sciences within the Center for Periodontology at The Forsyth Institute, where she had been part of the staff since 2009.

Flavia Teles

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology
University of Pennsylvania

Flavia Teles

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology
University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Teles comes to Penn Dental Medicine from the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Dentistry, where since 2014, she served as Research Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontology, and during that same period, she served as Associate Research Investigator in the Department of Applied Oral Sciences within the Center for Periodontology at The Forsyth Institute, where she had been part of the staff since 2009. Also since 2009, she was an instructor in the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), where she was the director of the predoctoral oral microbiology and immunology course. Dr. Teles has also held faculty posts at Mount Ida College, Newton, Mass., and Estácio de Sá University School of Dentistry and Pontificia Universidade Catolica Dental Institute (PUC), both in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 

Professor Katrine Whiteson

Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
University California

I am a biochemist interested in human associated microbial and viral communities. I use metagenomics, metabolomics, microbial genetics and ecological statistics to answer questions about how microbes and viruses affect human health. I am interested in understanding how individual and persistent human-associated microbial and viral communities affect health. Infection with a bacterial pathogen, vaccination, immune development and even taking a Tylenol does not occur in a vacuum.

Professor Katrine Whiteson

Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
University California

Professor Katrine Whiteson

Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
University California

I am a biochemist interested in human associated microbial and viral communities. I use metagenomics, metabolomics, microbial genetics and ecological statistics to answer questions about how microbes and viruses affect human health. I am interested in understanding how individual and persistent human-associated microbial and viral communities affect health. Infection with a bacterial pathogen, vaccination, immune development and even taking a Tylenol does not occur in a vacuum. Dynamic microbial and viral communities constantly inhabit our bodies, encoding the majority of the unique genes that alter these processes. Resident microbial and viral community composition is unique to each human.

Specifically, I am working to understand the role of persistent microbial colonization in triggering inflammatory episodes in Cystic Fibrosis patients. Understanding microbial interactions and changes in microbial physiology that are associated with changes in patient status may lead to the development of biomarkers to diagnose changes in infection earlier and more specifically.

I am also interested in how phage shape dynamic host-associated microbial communities, and in characterizing the function of the 70% of phage encoded genes with no known function.

 

Iliyan D. Iliev

Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University

Iliyan Iliev is an Immunologist and an assistant professor at the Department of Medicine and the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in IBD at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. He earned his PhD from the European School of Molecular Medicine and the University of Milan, and was previously associated with the Tohoku University in Japan and the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Iliev’s laboratory studies the interaction between commensal microbiota and the immune cells at the mucosal surfaces of the body. 

Iliyan D. Iliev

Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University

Iliyan D. Iliev

Assistant Professor of Microbiology & Immunology in Medicine
Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University

Iliyan Iliev is an Immunologist and an assistant professor at the Department of Medicine and the Jill Roberts Institute for Research in IBD at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York. He earned his PhD from the European School of Molecular Medicine and the University of Milan, and was previously associated with the Tohoku University in Japan and the Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Iliev’s laboratory studies the interaction between commensal microbiota and the immune cells at the mucosal surfaces of the body. 

 

Larry J. Forney

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
University of Idaho

The research done in Dr. Larry Forney’s laboratory centers on the diversity and distribution of prokaryotes. Both field and laboratory studies are done to explore the temporal and spatial patterns of community diversity, as well as factors that influence the dynamics of inter- and intra-species competition. In addition research is done to understand how spatial structure and the resulting environmental gradients influence the tempo and trajectory of adaptive radiations in bacterial species and the maintenance of diversity.

Larry J. Forney

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
University of Idaho

Larry J. Forney

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
University of Idaho

The research done in Dr. Larry Forney’s laboratory centers on the diversity and distribution of prokaryotes. Both field and laboratory studies are done to explore the temporal and spatial patterns of community diversity, as well as factors that influence the dynamics of inter- and intra-species competition. In addition research is done to understand how spatial structure and the resulting environmental gradients influence the tempo and trajectory of adaptive radiations in bacterial species and the maintenance of diversity. Most of these studies are highly interdisciplinary in nature, and done in collaboration with mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, geologists, environmental engineers, physicians, and clinical scientists.

 

David Pride

Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine
University of California, San Diago

David Pride’s laboratory focuses on identifying viral members of the human microbiome and in identifying their contributions to human health and disease. He is working on understanding the ecology of viruses and their consequences for our close contacts, characterizing their contributions to community antibiotic resistance, and developing model systems to understand how they respond to perturbations.

David Pride

Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine
University of California, San Diago

David Pride

Associate Professor of Pathology and Medicine
University of California, San Diago

David Pride’s laboratory focuses on identifying viral members of the human microbiome and in identifying their contributions to human health and disease. He is working on understanding the ecology of viruses and their consequences for our close contacts, characterizing their contributions to community antibiotic resistance, and developing model systems to understand how they respond to perturbations.

 

Betsy Herold

Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Betsy Herold, M.D. directs a basic and translational research program, which focuses on the prevention of HIV and HSV and other sexually transmitted infections. Basic research in the lab focuses on defining the cellular signaling pathways that HSV-2 usurps to promote infection. Current work from our laboratory demonstrates that HSV activates calcium (Ca2+), integrin, and phosphorylation signaling pathways and that these pathways play critical roles in the establishment of infection and in cell-to-cell spread of virus.

Betsy Herold

Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Betsy Herold

Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Betsy Herold, M.D. directs a basic and translational research program, which focuses on the prevention of HIV and HSV and other sexually transmitted infections. Basic research in the lab focuses on defining the cellular signaling pathways that HSV-2 usurps to promote infection. Current work from our laboratory demonstrates that HSV activates calcium (Ca2+), integrin, and phosphorylation signaling pathways and that these pathways play critical roles in the establishment of infection and in cell-to-cell spread of virus. .More recently, the lab has identified a novel cellular protein that plays a key role in the initiation of viral protein expression and could serve as a novel target for prevention strategies. Identification of the viral and cellular factors required for infection has led to development of candidate drugs, which have been formulated for vaginal delivery to prevent both HSV and HIV infection.

 

Dr. Mark Primental

Director of Cedars-sinai Gi Motility Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Dr. Mark Pimentel, serves as a Director of Cedars-sinai Gi Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Pimentel has been the Chairman of Clinical Advisory Board at Synthetic Biologics Inc. since April 2014. Dr. Pimentel is an Associate Professor of Medicine at CSMC in Los Angeles, California. Active in research, Dr. Pimentel has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator for numerous basic science, translational and clinical studies in such areas as IBS, and the relationship between gut flora composition and human disease.

Dr. Mark Primental

Director of Cedars-sinai Gi Motility Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Dr. Mark Primental

Director of Cedars-sinai Gi Motility Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Dr. Mark Pimentel, serves as a Director of Cedars-sinai Gi Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Pimentel has been the Chairman of Clinical Advisory Board at Synthetic Biologics Inc. since April 2014. Dr. Pimentel is an Associate Professor of Medicine at CSMC in Los Angeles, California. Active in research, Dr. Pimentel has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator for numerous basic science, translational and clinical studies in such areas as IBS, and the relationship between gut flora composition and human disease. His work has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, American Journal of Physiology, American Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Gastroenterology and Digestive Diseases and Sciences, among others. Dr. Pimentel has been invited to present his work at meetings, grand rounds, and advisory boards in the United States and Internationally. 

 

Larry Weis

CSO & Founder
Symbiome

 

Larry Weis

CSO & Founder
Symbiome

Larry Weis

CSO & Founder
Symbiome

 

 

John Kokai-Kun

VP, Non-Clinical Affairs
Synthetic Biologics

John Kokai-Kun

VP, Non-Clinical Affairs
Synthetic Biologics

John Kokai-Kun

VP, Non-Clinical Affairs
Synthetic Biologics
 

Wael Safi

Disruptive Market Innovation Leader - Global Skin, Hair & Personal Care
P&G

Wael Safi

Disruptive Market Innovation Leader - Global Skin, Hair & Personal Care
P&G

Wael Safi

Disruptive Market Innovation Leader - Global Skin, Hair & Personal Care
P&G
 

Janina Krumbeck

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Zymo

Dr. Krumbeck has received her PhD at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has focused her research on gastrointestinal microbiology working on the development of novel synbiotic applications in order to understand microbial ecology and to improve health. At Zymo Research she is part of the microbiomics team which is working towards addressing current challenges in the microbiome research.

Janina Krumbeck

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Zymo

Janina Krumbeck

Postdoctoral Research Scientist
Zymo

Dr. Krumbeck has received her PhD at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has focused her research on gastrointestinal microbiology working on the development of novel synbiotic applications in order to understand microbial ecology and to improve health. At Zymo Research she is part of the microbiomics team which is working towards addressing current challenges in the microbiome research.

 

Scott Bultman

Associate Professor, Department of Genetics
University of North Carolina

Scott Bultman

Associate Professor, Department of Genetics
University of North Carolina

Scott Bultman

Associate Professor, Department of Genetics
University of North Carolina
 

Vince Wacher

Strategy and Development
Synthetic Biologics, Inc

Vince Wacher

Strategy and Development
Synthetic Biologics, Inc

Vince Wacher

Strategy and Development
Synthetic Biologics, Inc
 

Johan van Hylckama Vlieg

CSO
Kaleido

Johan E.T. van Hylckama Vlieg is currently Senior Director Microbiome at Chr. Hansen AS, one of the largest microbe producing companies in the world. He is responsible for the microbiome innovation program and heading the microbiome research and pilot facility. He has 20 years of experience and leadership in gut microbiology, probiotics and food biotechnology in industry and academia. He is (co)author of more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and inventor of 13 patents or patent applications.

Johan van Hylckama Vlieg

CSO
Kaleido

Johan van Hylckama Vlieg

CSO
Kaleido

Johan E.T. van Hylckama Vlieg is currently Senior Director Microbiome at Chr. Hansen AS, one of the largest microbe producing companies in the world. He is responsible for the microbiome innovation program and heading the microbiome research and pilot facility. He has 20 years of experience and leadership in gut microbiology, probiotics and food biotechnology in industry and academia. He is (co)author of more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and inventor of 13 patents or patent applications.

Event Partners

Media Partners

PARTNER WITH US

Based on your objectives, we can create bespoke packages designed specifically for you. Opportunities predominantly lie in 3 main categories: Thought Leadership, Branding, and Networking.

CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE

Interested in a media partnership?
We'd love to hear from you and how we can support one another to connect with the industry. Contact [email protected]

The Agenda

Download Full Agenda

Young Researcher Inclusion Scheme

This scheme enables you to purchase a single academic rate ticket and a junior member of your lab can attend the conference for free. 

To apply, please email [email protected]

 

Conference Packages

Sending Your Team? Group Discounts Available!

Applicable for Primary Market, Service Provider and Industry Rates Only. Not available for Academic or ‘Start-Up’ rates

Book a Team of 3+ - Save an Additional 10% Off
Book a Team of 5+ - Save an Additional 15% Off

If you would like to register a team of 3 or more, please email [email protected] for your discount coupon code before registering. PLEASE NOTE: Discounts cannot be combined with Early Bird Pricing or any other discount or offer. If you have any questions about your registration, please call us on +44 (0)20 3696 2920

We accept the following cards through Stripe:
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Venue

The Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa 1775 E. Mission Bay Dr. San Diego, CA 92109

Call to book your discounted room at the below rate before Jan 10th. 

Reservation office at 877-313-6645

Rates ends -  January 10, 2018

Standard Room – Single/Double - $189

 

Poster Presentation Submission

If you are looking to highlight your recent work to the wider microbiome community, the dedicated poster session is a great way to get your research noticed and further involve yourself with the congress. In order to present a poster, you need to be registered as a delegate. Poster space is assigned on a first come, first served basis. Your presentation will be displayed in a dedicated poster area, while presentation sessions will take place both in the breaks and alongside sessions at prescheduled times.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION FORM

Rising Star Travel Grant

$250 Travel Grants are available for FIVE young researchers (defined as having completed their PhD within the last 5 years). To be considered for one of the Rising Star Travel Grants, you must submit an abstract before 15th December 2017.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION FORM

Commercialisation Surgery

Attendees are invited to pose questions and seek advice from a panel of industry leaders who have been through the commercialisation process.

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS HERE

Innovation Stage

Academics and early stage start-ups are invited to present innovations that they are looking to commercialise. Whether you are looking for investment or just want an expert’s opinion on the next steps in your commercialisation journey, this platform will be valuable for you. This platform allows FOUR presenters to share as much or as little information around their innovation as they feel comfortable, and receive tips and advice from a panel of expert investors, consultants, pharmaceutical companies, lawyers and successful start-ups, as well as input from the audience.
APPLY HERE

Book a Team to Save More!

Industry Rates Only: Team discounts cannot be combined with any other discount or offer

Book a Team of 3+ - Save an Additional 10% Off
Book a Team of 5+ - Save an Additional 15% Off

Payment Terms for the the Microbiome Conference:

  • Please note that a $79 processing fee will apply to any invoices requested.
  • * You must email us a signed letter from the Hospital / Clinic Supervisor or University / Laboratory with confirmation of your status upon payment
  • All Prices are in USD
  • All Early Bird discount prices, including Group Discounts, must be paid in full by deadlines provided above.
  • All discount offers cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • Please view our Cancellation Policy.

About Kisaco Research

Kisaco Research produces, designs and hosts B2B industry conferences, exhibitions and communities – focused on a specialized selection of topic areas.

Meet industry peers that will help build a career-changing network for life.

Learn from the mistakes of your peers as much as their successes—ambitious industry stalwarts who are happy to share not just what has made them successful so far but also their plans for future proofing their companies.

Note down the inspired insight that will form the foundation for future strategies and roadmaps, both at our events and through our online communities.

Invest both in your company growth and your own personal development by signing up to one of our events and get started.