By: Samantha Rinkus '11
Published on
The Michigan chapter of the American Society for Microbiology (MI-ASM) will be hosting
a conference on “Combating Bacterial Resistance” at Aquinas from April 8-9.
“It’s a pretty big deal for AQ, since most of the organization’s meetings are held at large universities, such as MSU, Western MU or Wayne State,” Dr. Jennifer Hess, professor of Biology at Aquinas and a member of the MI-ASM board of directors, said.
The event begins on Friday, April 8 with speaker Dr. Mimi Emig, an attending physician at Spectrum Health, discussing her experience with combating bacterial resistance. This event will be free and open to all students.
“Anyone who enjoys science, particularly microbiology, should definitely consider coming,” Rebecca Hyatt, Aquinas senior, said. “Additionally, if you are interested in a career in science, the conference provides an opportunity to meet people working in fields you may eventually want to join.”
Saturday’s session is open to all students, with a $10 registration fee. Keynote speakers include Dr. Daniel Sundin, Director of the Microbiology Laboratories at Spectrum Health, who will speak on “Gram Negative Bacteria: Expanding Their Resistance to Extended Spectrum Antibiotics.” The afternoon speaker will be Eric Schwallier, a Lab Technician at Metro Health Microbiology Lab, who will speak on “Developing a molecular Clostridium difficile diagnostic test.”
“Microbiology was one of my favorite courses that I took here at Aquinas and I’m excited to hear about their insight regarding their presentations,” Tim Carew, Aquinas senior, said. “I hope this conference will give me a better idea of the bacterial and/or viral strains that remain prominent in healthcare today.”
These conferences are hosted twice a year, and this will be the only one held at Aquinas for another few years. For more information on the conference, visit www.mi-asm.org.
“We are hoping this meeting raises awareness of the problem of bacterial resistance to antibacterial drugs,” Dr. Hess said. “but that it also lets professional microbiologists see how AQ is uniquely positioned to have our students transition from AQ to potential careers in scientific research and medicine, given the increased presence of the medical professions in Grand Rapids in recent years.”
“It’s a pretty big deal for AQ, since most of the organization’s meetings are held at large universities, such as MSU, Western MU or Wayne State,” Dr. Jennifer Hess, professor of Biology at Aquinas and a member of the MI-ASM board of directors, said.
The event begins on Friday, April 8 with speaker Dr. Mimi Emig, an attending physician at Spectrum Health, discussing her experience with combating bacterial resistance. This event will be free and open to all students.
“Anyone who enjoys science, particularly microbiology, should definitely consider coming,” Rebecca Hyatt, Aquinas senior, said. “Additionally, if you are interested in a career in science, the conference provides an opportunity to meet people working in fields you may eventually want to join.”
Saturday’s session is open to all students, with a $10 registration fee. Keynote speakers include Dr. Daniel Sundin, Director of the Microbiology Laboratories at Spectrum Health, who will speak on “Gram Negative Bacteria: Expanding Their Resistance to Extended Spectrum Antibiotics.” The afternoon speaker will be Eric Schwallier, a Lab Technician at Metro Health Microbiology Lab, who will speak on “Developing a molecular Clostridium difficile diagnostic test.”
“Microbiology was one of my favorite courses that I took here at Aquinas and I’m excited to hear about their insight regarding their presentations,” Tim Carew, Aquinas senior, said. “I hope this conference will give me a better idea of the bacterial and/or viral strains that remain prominent in healthcare today.”
These conferences are hosted twice a year, and this will be the only one held at Aquinas for another few years. For more information on the conference, visit www.mi-asm.org.
“We are hoping this meeting raises awareness of the problem of bacterial resistance to antibacterial drugs,” Dr. Hess said. “but that it also lets professional microbiologists see how AQ is uniquely positioned to have our students transition from AQ to potential careers in scientific research and medicine, given the increased presence of the medical professions in Grand Rapids in recent years.”