The Microbiology of the Built Environment GRS provides a unique forum for young doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, discuss new methods, cutting edge ideas, and pre-published data, as well as to build collaborative relationships with their peers. Experienced mentors and trainee moderators will facilitate active participation in scientific discussion to allow all attendees to be engaged participants rather than spectators.
The inaugural Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on the Microbiology of the Built Environment provides an international forum for early-career researchers to advance the study of microbes in drinking water, wastewater, indoor air, and surfaces. This seminar is the first GRS held in conjunction with the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on the Microbiology of the Built Environment. The GRS is organized by early-career researchers, for early-career researchers. The GRS invites graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and other early career scientists in environmental engineering, environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, clinical medicine, public health, and beyond to contribute and share perspectives from their field. This is a unique opportunity to build a research community, discuss relevant methods, and share pre-publication results. The agenda will underscore the connections between society and the microbes found in the built environment we share. Topics will include pathogen and microbiome studies in water, air, and other matrices of the built environment, with a particular focus on viewing microbial community studies through a health equity lens.
Application Instructions
The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.
The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by March 16, 2025. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.
Program Format
Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.
