The PVMS 2020 organizing committee is busy crafting an exciting symposium schedule!

PVMS 2020 will feature everything microbial under the sun, including host-microbe interactions, microbial evolution, protein folding, virology, microbial genetics, biochemical physiology, microbial ecology, biogeochemical cycling, and more!

We have an exciting lineup of keynote speakers that are sure to get you thinking about microbes in new ways.

Want to join the microbial celebration?

Be sure to register for PVMS by December 9th to unlock our early-bird special (only $20).

We’re pleased to announce the keynote speakers for PVMS 2020! We hope you will join us for what is shaping up to be an amazing event!

Don’t forget to submit your abstracts by November 1, and register by December 17!

Dr. Peter Chien (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMass Amherst) studies regulated protein degradation and quality control using biochemistry, structural biology, and cell biology.

You won’t want to miss Dr. Chien’s recent work, where his team characterized the mechanism of DnaA recognition by Lon, which is crucial for bacteria to coordinate replication with nutrient availability and to halt the cell during acute stress.

Dr. Wendy Mok (Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn) investigates how bacterial persisters survive lethal antibiotic treatments and contribute to infection relapse.

Read Dr. Mok’s recent work showing that after a single exposure to an antibiotic, bacterial fluoroquinolone persisters can develop enhanced antibiotic resistance.

Dr. John Gibbons (Department of Food Science, UMass Amherst) studies the impact of domestication on the genomes and phenotypes of beneficial microbes used in  traditional fermented foods, and the genetic basis of virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Check out Dr. Gibbons’ recent work characterizing the population genomics of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus.

Thank you for a successful PVMS 2019!

Thank you to everyone who made PVMS 2019 a resounding success! Over 130 microbially-inclined folks from all around the Pioneer Valley shared and discussed their cutting-edge research. Relive the day in photos and catch up on Twitter at #PVMS2019.

A big thank you to our keynote speakers, Drs. Mandy Mueller, Sarah Hird, and Marco Keiluweit, for sharing their fascinating work and microbial insights.

Special congratulations to our PVMS 2019 award winners, Elisa Bello (Best Talk, pictured left) and Korin Albert (Best Poster, pictured right).

Stay tuned for PVMS 2020!

What’s next? PVMS 2020 is coming up next January! If you have suggestions for PVMS 2020, or would like to help organize, please email us at valleymicrobes@umass.edu.

Here’s to another year of microbial discoveries, and we’ll see you next year!

We’re excited to announce the schedule for PVMS 2019!

Please visit the Schedule to see the incredible and diverse line-up of microbial presentations on January 18, and be sure to browse the Program and Abstract Book:

• Link to PVMS Program (pdf)
• Link to PVMS Abstract Book (pdf)

And remember, if needed, you can still register at the door for only $25. See you soon for PVMS 2019!

We’re a month away from PVMS 2019!

The PVMS organizing committee is busy crafting an exciting schedule filled with exciting microbiology research from all over the Pioneer Valley. We’re days away from announcing the schedule!

While you wait, here is some exciting work from our keynote speakers!

Dr. Mandy Muller (UMass Amherst) studies viruses and how they affect host cell behavior.

You won’t want to miss her recent research showing how nuclease escape elements can protect RNA from cleavage by viruses.

Dr. Sarah Hird (UConn) studies the evolution and ecology of host-associated microbiota.

Read her recent review arguing that evolutionary biology needs wild microbiomes.

Dr. Marco Keiluweit (UMass Amherst) studies the microbial biogeochemistry of soils.

Check out his work studying how pockets of anaerobic conditions in soils can lead to carbon stabilization, and what microbes have to do with it.

Today is the last day for early-bird registration for PVMS 2019!

Between our exciting keynote speakers and soon-to-be-announced presenter lineup, PVMS 2019 has something to offer for every microbially-inclined person in the Pioneer Valley.

Want to join the microbial celebration?

Be sure to register for PVMS by today, December 17th to unlock our early-bird special (only $20). See you there on January 18, 2019!

We’re just days away from the PVMS registration deadline of December 17th!

PVMS 2019 promises to be a day full of engaging presentations and riveting posters. As the only regional microbial symposium for the greater Pioneer Valley, PVMS is a fantastic networking opportunity for students and scientists at all levels to come together and celebrate microbes. Need more convincing? Check out our keynote speakers!

Want to join the microbial celebration?

Be sure to register for PVMS by December 17th to unlock our early-bird special (only $20). See you there on January 18, 2019!

The PVMS 2019 organizing committee is busy crafting an exciting symposium schedule!

PVMS 2019 will feature everything microbial under the sun, including host-microbe interactions, microbial evolution, protein folding, virology, microbial genetics, biochemical physiology, microbial ecology, biogeochemical cycling, and more!

We have an exciting lineup of keynote speakers that are sure to get you thinking about microbes in new ways.

Want to join the microbial celebration?

Be sure to register for PVMS by December 17th to unlock our early-bird special (only $20).

You still have time to be a Valley Microbe at PVMS 2019!

The abstract submission deadline has been extended to Monday, November 5!

Please see the Abstract & Presentation Guidelines for information on how to submit your abstracts by November 5, and don’t forget to register by December 17!

We’re pleased to announce the keynote speakers for PVMS 2019!

Dr. Mandy Muller (Department of Microbiology, UMass Amherst)

Dr. Sarah Hird (Department of Molecular & Cell Biology, UConn)

Dr. Marco Keiluweit (School of Earth & Sustainability and Stockbridge School of Agriculture, UMass Amherst)

We hope you will join us for what is shaping up to be an amazing event!

Don’t forget to submit your abstracts by October 31, and register by December 17!