Progress 04/15/24 to 04/14/25
Outputs
Target Audience:The 2024 American Society for Rickettsiology (ASR) Meeting engaged a multidisciplinary audience, including researchers, public health officials, military personnel, veterinarians, clinicians, and agricultural scientists focused on the biology, epidemiology, and control of rickettsial and related diseases. The conference, held July 13-16 in Williamsburg, Virginia, drew approximately 200 attendees representing early career investigators, mid-career scientists, and established researchers from academia, government, and private-sector laboratories. The ASR meeting fostered collaboration and professional development across sectors, with a particular emphasis on supporting trainees in the early stages of their careers. Many trainees expressed interest in a range of career paths spanning academia, industry, and government (federal, state, and local), and benefited from the extensive networking opportunities provided throughout the meeting. Based on the exit survey conducted following the 2024 Williamsburg meeting, 90% of participants agreed that the conference was thought-provoking, stimulating, and exciting. Ninety-four percent agreed that the meeting effectively facilitated the dissemination of new research findings, including unpublished data. Informal interactions were a key strength, with 88% of participants agreeing that these interactions contributed strongly to the quality of the meeting. Ample networking opportunities were reported by 84% of respondents, and 81% felt there was sufficient time to meet with collaborators and other researchers. The conference atmosphere was described as friendly and not cliquish. The quality of the scientific program was highly rated: 88% agreed that there was a good selection of speakers, and 87% agreed that the focus on junior investigators and trainees for short talks was appropriate. The conference business was viewed as open and democratic by 94% of attendees. Trainee participation remained strong, with 52% of survey respondents identifying as graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. Approximately 24% of participants were attending their first ASR meeting. Notably, 81% indicated they planned to attend future ASR meetings. Overall, the 2024 ASR Meeting provided a valuable, cost-effective forum for scientific exchange, community building, and career advancement in the field of rickettsiology. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The 2024 ASR Meeting provided extensive opportunities for training and professional development for students, postdoctoral fellows, and early career investigators. A dedicatedTrainee Career Development Sessionwas held on the first day, featuring a moderated panel discussion with experienced scientists from academia, government, and industry. Panelists provided practical guidance on career transitions, research funding, and professional growth. This session facilitated direct interaction between trainees and established investigators, fostering mentorship and knowledge-sharing. Trainees were further integrated into the scientific program through short oral presentations and two poster sessions, allowing early career scientists to present their research findings to a broad audience and receive constructive feedback. The meeting's collegial and supportive environment encouraged informal networking throughout the conference, helping trainees build professional relationships critical to career advancement. Additionally, networking activities, including the Welcome Reception, poster sessions, and breaks, provided ample opportunities for trainees to engage with senior scientists, government representatives, and industry partners in an informal setting. Survey feedback confirmed that participants valued the professional development and mentoring opportunities available at the meeting, particularly the ability to present unpublished work and engage directly with leaders in the field. Overall, the ASR meeting was highly effective in promoting the training, mentorship, and career development of the next generation of scientists studying rickettsial diseases. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Multiple mechanisms were used to advertise and disseminate information about the 2024 ASRMeeting. An active conference website was maintained featuring the full agenda, including session schedules, presentation titles, speaker information, and registration materials with lodging options. Announcements were sent to attendees of the 2023 ASR Meeting, all current ASR members, and broader scientific communities with an interest in rickettsial and intracellular bacterial research. Notifications were distributed to members of the European Society for Chlamydia, Coxiella, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and other intracellular bacteria (ESCCAR) and to rickettsiology researchers across Latin America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Targeted outreach was also conducted through relevant professional societies, including the Chlamydia Basic Research Society, the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the International Conference on Lyme Borreliosis and other Tick-borne Diseases, and the American Society for Microbiology. Members of the Organizing and Executive Committee coordinated with local chapters of the American Society for Microbiology to further publicize the meeting. Through these efforts, conference information and outcomes were broadly disseminated to scientific communities engaged in rickettsial research, infectious diseases, and agricultural and veterinary health sciences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This was a one year conference support and this reporting period is final.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The 33rd Meeting of the American Society for Rickettsiology (ASR), held July 13-16, 2024, in Williamsburg, Virginia, successfully achieved all outlined goals and objectives. Approximately 200 researchers, public health officials, veterinarians, military personnel, clinicians, and agricultural scientists participated, representing academia, government, and private-sector organizations.? Dissemination of New Knowledge The meeting facilitated the exchange of cutting-edge research across epidemiology, diagnostics, vaccine development, vector biology, and pathogen evolution. Scientific sessions such asEpidemiology, Diagnostics, and Vaccine DevelopmentandCoxiella Biology and Pathogenesisaddressed critical threats to both human and animal health. Research presentations included advances inCoxiella burnetiisubunit vaccines, surveillance ofEhrlichiainfections, and control ofRickettsiaspecies impacting agricultural animals. Expansion of Scientific Information on Emerging Diseases Emerging threats to animal and public health were a major focus. TheVector Contribution to Pathogenesissession highlighted novel research on the tick microbiome and immune system, including impacts on vector competence for livestock pathogens. Presentations from USDA scientists and university researchers emphasized integrated approaches to managing tick-borne diseases in agricultural settings. Promotion of Cross-Sector Collaboration The meeting promoted collaborations across academia, government agencies (including USDA, NIH, FDA), and industry to accelerate research translation. Structured networking events, poster sessions, and panel discussions facilitated knowledge-sharing with direct relevance to improving diagnostics, vaccines, and control strategies for zoonotic and livestock-associated infections. Advancement of Understanding of Virulence, Evolution, and Pathogenicity Research presentations advanced the field's understanding of virulence mechanisms and pathogen evolution in agriculturally important species. Talks on metabolic drivers of virulence inCoxiella burnetii, immune evasion byEhrlichia, and tick-pathogen interactions provided critical insights for future disease mitigation strategies affecting livestock and domestic animal populations. Promotion of Trainee and Early Career Development The meeting strongly supported trainees and early career investigators through a dedicatedTrainee Career Development Session, short talk slots, two poster sessions, and mentoring events. These opportunities helped prepare the next generation of researchers to tackle challenges in zoonotic disease transmission, animal health, and rickettsial pathogen control. In sum, the 2024 ASR Meeting successfully advanced scientific knowledge, strengthened cross-sector collaborations, expanded understanding of rickettsial diseases impacting animal and agricultural health, and fostered the development of future scientific leaders critical to the One Health mission.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Conference Proceedings were published on the ASR website and the pdf article is available to the public at:
https://www.rickettsiology.org/2024-Agenda
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