2023 Applied and Environmental Microbiology GRC & GRS
Abstract
Established in 1950, the Applied and Environmental Microbiology Gordon Research Conference (AEM GRC) is one of the longest running of the Gordon Conferences. The success and resilience of the AEM GRC is due to the profound influence that microbes have on planet Earth, sustaining our environment, influencing our health and driving many industrial biotechnology processes. However, microbial diversity is vast, and despite profound technological advancements in our ability to census key microbial groups and their metabolic potential, we often lack the ability to predict and control microbial community dynamics to benefit the human condition. Applied and environmental microbiology (AEM) characterizes the in situ functioning of microorganisms and has wide ranging impacts from the development of a predictive understanding of microbiome-host-environment interactions that drive ecosystem health outcomes to improving strategies to combat the adverse effects of stress or environmental disturbance. This meeting will bring together scientists from a wide range of disciplines to discuss the fundamentals of applied and environmental microbiology promoting cross-fertilization of ideas, collaboration, and the identification of new approaches for the sustainable control of microbial dynamics for human and environmental interventions. The 2023 Conference will address one of the most urgent questions in microbiology: How can we leverage what we have learned from revolutionary technological advances to provide a conceptual framework, a set of core principles, for understanding and predicting the role of microbes in ecosystem functioning, from human holobionts to aquatic ecosystems. The GRC program will be organized into nine morning and evening sessions entitled: (1) Core principles that govern life; (2) Biodiversity and ecosystem function; (3) Ecoengineering, applications, and emerging contaminants; (4) Ecology and evolution of holobionts; (5) Transitioning human microbiome research into health outcomes; (6) Probing microbial phenotypes in situ; (7) Microbial mediation of biogeochemical cycles; (8) Microbes and climate change and (9) Symbiosis in ecosystems. The program reflects exciting new developments in the field and will ensure that talks, poster pitches and presentations at the AEM GRC will be innovative, world leading. A major aim of the meeting will be to bring together scientists from all career stages and, in particular, early career scientists. In typical GRC style, the sessions will be informal, off the record, and open to all participants for the expression of their views. For the fourth time, we will have a Gordon Research Seminar (AEM GRS) associated with the AEM GRC entitled, ÒClose encounters of the microbial kind: exploring complex networks of communitiesÓ, preceding the main conference which will have further oral and poster presentation opportunities specifically for graduate students and post-docs, as well as a career panel discussion. A Ôpower hourÕ during the GRC meeting will focus on the challenges facing women and underrepresented minorities in science. To foster an interactive, friendly environment in which ideas can be freely exchanged independently of background or seniority, sessions and working meals will be supplemented with a vigorous social program to foster these interactions. To ensure that high numbers of young scientists attend both the GRS and the GRC, we seek support from ARO to assist with costs for PhD students, postdocs and young faculty members. Recipients of ARO support will be selected from the pool of conference applicants taking into consideration diversity and the utilization of these funds to enhance participation from under-represented groups (and universities). The availability of financial support will be announced on the GRC website. A descriptive flyer will be distributed by email and social media to advertise internally and externally to colleges and universities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 28, 2023
- Source ID
- W911NF2310262
Entities
People
- Joel Kostka
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Gordon Research Conferences
- United States Army