# Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages Conference 2024

> **NIH NIH R13** · TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $7,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages (MGBP) meeting is a reputable national scientific
conference held annually since 1940 that brings together investigators to present and discuss
advances in the molecular biology of bacteria and their viruses. The MGBP Meeting is significant
because it directly and positively impacts molecular research focused on the causative agents of
human disease, commensals, symbionts, and phages while prioritizing the training of a diverse
scientific workforce. A core objective of the MGBP Meeting is to provide an engaging and
supportive forum for trainees and junior faculty to share their work in a collegial, inclusive
environment. The 2023 attendees (516) hailed from 30 US states and >10 countries and included
undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, faculty members and professional
scientists from the private sector. Several innovative aspects distinguish the MGBP meeting
including: (1) the Diversity Showcase to highlight scientists from historically marginalized groups,
(2) mentoring tables for discussion of career paths, inclusivity, and diversity, (3) the Sternberg
Thesis Award for the most outstanding Ph.D. thesis, (4) trainee poster awards, and (5) community
building events. The 2024 MGBP Meeting will be held from August 5-9 at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, an ASM-designated “Milestones in Microbiology Site”. Aligned with the
tradition of past MGBP Meetings, ~70% of the oral presentations will be from postdoctoral
scholars and graduate students, chosen from submitted abstracts based on scientific merit and
diversity of their backgrounds. The remaining 30% of the presentations will be from faculty,
including the keynote and session chairs, and junior faculty chosen from the submitted abstracts.
Among the 9 invited talks for the 2024 meeting, 5 are female and 3 are scientists from historically
marginalized people in STEM; 55% are Assistant or Associate Professors. The keynote speaker
for the 2024 meeting will be Dr. George O’Toole, a long-standing member of the MGBP
Community who is an active advocate for promoting equity in science. Dr. O’Toole will present
his pioneering research on biofilms produced by the opportunistic human pathogen
Pseudomonas. To promote diversity and inclusion, we propose to select 13 meritorious trainees
from the submitted abstracts for registration waivers and provide childcare/ family care funding
grants for trainees and faculty. Together, the rigor and inclusivity of the scientific program, the
focus on increasing diversity and inclusion of trainees, and the opportunities for collegial
interactions will positively impact the broad field of molecular biology of bacteria and their viruses.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11000036
- **Project number:** 1R13AI186424-01
- **Recipient organization:** TRUSTEES OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Patricia A Champion
- **Activity code:** R13 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $7,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-19 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11000036

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11000036, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria and Phages Conference 2024 (1R13AI186424-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11000036. Licensed CC0.

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