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Definitions:
Rust Belt:  An area of the north United States historically known for heavy industry and steel production.
Rust Belt Microbiome:  A cutting-edge conference named to commemorate the rise of Science and Medicine as emerging economic drivers in the Rust Belt region. The outstanding programs in microbiome or host-pathogen research highlight new forces in our region to improve human health, advance novel technology, and develop entrepreneurship. Our conference is designed to celebrate the past and the future of our thriving and vital area.

The goal of the Pittsburgh Rust Belt Microbiome (RBM) Conference is to bring together the microbiome, microbial evolution, and pathogenesis research communities from academic institutions and medical centers in the Rust Belt Region. 

Our program integrates basic and translational science researchers and physicians in clinical practice at all levels of their careers. Plenary session, keynote talks, poster sessions, lunches, and a banquet dinner will provide multiple opportunities for participants to present and discuss their work.

Hosted by

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Thaddeus Stappenbeck, M.D., Ph.D.

Thaddeus Stappenbeck, M.D., Ph.D.

Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic

Seth Bordenstein, Ph.D.

Seth Bordenstein, Ph.D.

Microbiome Center at Pennsylvania State University

Deborah Hogan, Ph.D.

Deborah Hogan, Ph.D.

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College

SPEAKER SECTIONS

Synthetic Biology and Microbial Engineering

Session Co-Chairs:
Warren Ruder PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Huaiying Zhang PhD, Carnegie Mellon University

Speakers:
Tagbo Niepa PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Nicholas Be PhD, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Seth Chiders PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Saumya Saurabh PhD, New York University
Theodore Reed, Notre Dame University

Microbiome and Pathogen Evolution

Session Co-Chairs:
Vaughn Cooper PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Wook Kim PhD, Duquesne University

Speakers:
Kevin Mason PhD, The Ohio State University
Catherine Armbruster PhD, Dartmouth College
Chen Liao PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering
Michelle Scribner PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Tera Levin PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Tumor Immunotherapy and the Microbiome

Session Co-Chairs:
Timothy Hand PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Marlies Meisel PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Speakers:
Grace Chen MD, University of Michigan
Daniel Spakowicz PhD, The Ohio State University
Abigail Elise Overacre PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Marlies Meisel PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Viral Infections and the Microbiome

Session Co-Chairs:
Alison Morris MD, MS, University of Pittsburgh
Keven Robinson MD, University of Pittsburgh
John Alcorn PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Speakers:
Georgios Kitsios MD, University of Pittsburgh
Elodie Ghedin PhD, NIAID
Daria van Tyne PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Sarah Bagby PhD, Case Western Reserve University

Host-Pathogen Interactions

Session Co-Chairs:
Luisa Hiller PhD, Carnegie Mellon University
Jennifer Bomberger PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Vincent Young MD, PhD, University of Michigan

Speakers:
Zheng Kuang PhD, Carnegie Mellon University
Christine Bassis PhD, University of Michigan
Gina Lewin PhD, Case Western Reserve University
Eldin Jašarević PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Research Institute
Chelsie Armbruster PhD, University of Buffalo

 

The 2nd Pittsburgh Rust Belt Microbiome Conference

 

November 3 – 4, 2022

Carnegie Mellon University
University Club at the University of Pittsburgh

 

Please direct any questions to: Luisa Hiller at lhiller@andrew.cmu.edu or Cynthia Vinkovich at vinkovichc@upmc.edu

university club map

Abstract submissions for poster and selected talks will open July 1, 2022.

HOSTS

Georgios Kitsios, M.D., Ph.D.

Georgios Kitsios, M.D., Ph.D.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Luisa Hiller, Ph.D.

Luisa Hiller, Ph.D.

Carnegie Mellon University

 
Barbara Methé, Ph.D.

Barbara Methé, Ph.D.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Alison Morris, M.D., M.S.

Alison Morris, M.D., M.S.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine