91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Launches Health Unit to Empower Microbial Scientists Worldwide
Washington, D.C.—The American Society for Microbiology (91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ) has launched the 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Unit, the first unit in 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s new strategic roadmap. The launch of 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health is a crucial component in 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s approach to addressing critical health issues through microbial science. The leadership and structure of 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health will empower the health-related microbial sciences community to shape the future of the field, ensuring societal impact and fostering global collaboration.
The 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Unit is spearheaded by newly appointed Scientific Director Dev Mittar, Ph.D., and 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Chair Colleen Kraft, M.D., alongside an interim Scientific Advisory Council comprising 14 experts representing sub-disciplines of health-related microbiology. These leaders will guide 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health’s mission to advance microbial science for the benefit of society.
The 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Unit will play a pivotal role in uniting and empowering researchers and professionals across clinical microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, drug development, veterinary medicine/One Health and food microbiology. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health aims to propel advances that address the world’s most pressing challenges.
As part of 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s new strategic roadmap, unveiled in 2024, 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health is the first of 3 scientific units to be established, which will be followed by 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Applied and Environmental Microbiology and 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Mechanism Discovery. The roadmap reimagines 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s foundation, positioning the organization at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. The roadmap reflects 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s vision of providing a home for every microbial scientist and promoting transformative exchanges and collective action worldwide.
“The 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Unit represents a monumental step forward in uniting microbial scientists and stakeholders worldwide to confront the most urgent health challenges,” said Dev Mittar, 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Director. “I am honored to lead this effort and collaborate with the exceptional team of experts guiding our mission.”
The interim 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Advisory Council includes leaders and experts across health-related microbiology disciplines:
- David Andes, M.D.
- Elizabeth Dodds Ashley, M.H.S.
- Jessilyn Dunn, Ph.D.
- Laura Filkins, Ph.D.
- David Gaston, M.D., Ph.D.
- Randall Hayden, M.D.
- Brandi Limbago, Ph.D.
- Amy Mathers, M.D., D(ABMM)
- Pascale Ondoa, M.D., Ph.D.
- Marcela Pasetti, Ph.D.
- David Peaper, M.D., Ph.D.
- Paul Plummer, D.V.M., Ph.D.
- Bobbi Pritt, M.D., M.Sc.
- Tara Smith, Ph.D.
This accomplished group will provide strategic guidance to ensure 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health’s initiatives are impactful. Central to 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ’s new structure is the Society’s commitment to providing a home for all microbial scientists and bridging sub-disciplines and specialties to address the most significant problems facing humanity.
Learn more about the 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ Health Scientific Unit.
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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 37,000 scientists and health practitioners. 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.
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91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, 91Âé¶¹ÌìÃÀ promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.