# 30th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC)

> **NIH NIH R13** · TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $7,500

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The recent COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the rise and recurrence of infectious diseases, has underscored
the vital role of microbial science in addressing global public health challenges. The Midwest Microbial
Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC) stands as an influential annual scientific meeting dedicated to showcasing
exceptional research in microbial pathogenesis. MMPC focuses on nurturing the professional growth of junior
faculty, students, and postdoctoral scholars, with a specific focus on those historically underrepresented in
biological sciences, all while fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the exchange of
scientific ideas and collaborations. Since its establishment in 1994, MMPC has been hosted yearly at
academic institutions throughout the Midwest region of the United States. The steadily increasing attendance
of >400 participants encompasses undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff,
and faculty, who engage in extensive interactions. Through career development forums, the "Meet the
Speakers" series, and informal gatherings during poster sessions, receptions, and meals, MMPC 2024 aims to
facilitate extensive networking among scientists and institutions across the Midwest and beyond. The
conference's regional accessibility, affordability, and substantial financial support for travel and registration
make it possible to attract a diverse array of participants. This meeting has been consistently supported by the
NIAID over the past 14 years, and here, we are requesting continued support for MMPC 2024-2028. The 30th
annual MMPC will be hosted by Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana from September 6th-8th, 2024. In
alignment with MMPC's rich tradition, >85% of the invited speakers (excluding the keynote and opening
session speakers) will be trainees or junior faculty. Of the 15 invited faculty speakers, >50% are women and
include diversity in terms of personal backgrounds, geographic origins, and research topics within the field of
microbial pathogenesis. Additional oral presentations will be selected from abstracts submitted by students and
postdoctoral fellows. As part of our commitment to promoting diversity and excellence, we aim to use funding
from this grant application waive registration and lodging fees for 20 scholars who are women and/or from
underrepresented groups. Further, we will waive the registration fee for an additional meritorious 13 trainees.
MMPC 2024 will feature a keynote address by Dr. Kim Orth from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center, an esteemed HHMI Investigator, a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator, and a member of the
National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Orth will present her groundbreaking research on how pathogenic bacteria
invade host cells and cause disease. Support of this R13 grant application from the NIAID will facilitate the
assembly of a diverse group of scientists from various microbiology subdisciplines, encour...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10993717
- **Project number:** 1R13AI186224-01
- **Recipient organization:** TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ankur Dalia
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $7,500
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-01 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10993717

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10993717, 30th Annual Midwest Microbial Pathogenesis Conference (MMPC) (1R13AI186224-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10993717. Licensed CC0.

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