INFEST-igate LYME 2027

Advancing Discovery Through Collaboration

Joyce Cummings Center, Tufts University | Medford, Massachusetts

Advancing Discovery Through Collaboration

Bringing together researchers, clinicians, public health experts, industry leaders, and funding organizations to accelerate innovation in Lyme disease research.

Day 1

Wednesday June 16th

8:30 AM – 8:45 AMWelcome & Opening Remarks

Conference introduction and overview.

8:45 AM – 10:00 AMLightning Talk Session I: Microbiology

SESSION CHAIRS

Jeff Bourgeois,

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Jenny Hyde,

Texas A&M University

10:00 AM – 10:30 AMNetworking Break

10:30 AM – 11:00 AMLightning Talk Session I (Continued)

Microbiology presentations continue.

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM Shark Tank: Innovative Research Pitch Competition

Researchers pitch grant proposals to a panel of representatives from government, and foundations.

Moderator

Philip Adams,

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Shark Panel

Armin Alaedini,

Global Lyme Alliance

Nadine Bowden,

NIAID

Brian Stevenson,

University of Kentucky

Katariina Tuovinen,

Bay Area Lyme Foundation

12:15 PM – 1:30 PMLunch & Networking

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Lightning Talk Session II:Ticks, Ecology, Epidemiology & Public Health

SESSION CHAIRS

Maria Diuk-Wasser,

Columbia University

Megan Linske,

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

3:00 PM – 3:30 PMFocused Networking break (topics to be announced)

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM Lightning Talk Session II (Continued)

Ticks, ecology, and epidemiology.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Speed Networking for Collaboration

A structured networking session designed to foster new collaborations and multidisciplinary partnerships.

SESSION CHAIRS

Catherine Brissette,

University of North Dakota

Jean Tsao,

Michigan State University

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Opening Reception

Join conference attendees for an evening of networking and refreshments.

Day 2

Thursday June 17th

8:30 AM – 10:15 AM Lightning Talk Session III:Vector & Host Immunity

SESSION CHAIRS

Sukanya Narasimhan,

Yale University

Raj Priya,

Indiana University

10:15 AM – 10:45 AMNetworking Break

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Lightning Talk Session III (Continued)

Vector and Host Immunity presentations continue.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Lyme Quiz Bowl

Test your knowledge of Lyme disease research, researchers, and scientific discoveries in a fun, team-based competition.

Quiz Masters

Borrelia

Anthony Bui,

NIH

Mollie Jewett,

University of Central Florida

Ticks

Anya O'Neal,

Johns Hopkins University

Dana Shaw,

Washington State University

Clinical Lyme and Host Responses

Mara Kuvaldina,

Columbia University

Justin Radolf,

University of Connecticut

People in Lyme

Maria Gomes-Solecki,

University of Tennessee

Mark Wooten,

University of Toledo

12:15 PM – 1:30 PMLunch & Networking

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Lightning Talk Session IV:Patient Management and Treatment

SESSION CHAIRS

Lise Nigrovic,

Boston Children's Hospital

Luis Marcos,

Stony Brook University

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM Lightning Talk Session V:Diagnostics, Therapeutics & Translational Research

SESSION CHAIRS

Jake Lemieux,

Massachusetts General Hospital

Bobbi Pritt,

Mayo Clinic

3:50 PM – 4:15 PMFocused Networking Break (topics to be announced)

4:15 PM – 5:30 PM Who Wants to Be a Grantee Millionaire?

A lively, interactive session exploring contestant's knowledge of funding strategies, grant development, and research priorities.

Host

Jenny Wachter,

University of Saskatchewan

Featured Interactive Events



Shark Tank



Speed Networking



Quiz Bowl



Grantee Millionaire

Conference Themes

Microbiology

Vector & Host Immunity

Ticks & Ecology

Epidemiology & Public Health

Diagnostics & Therapeutics

Translational Research

Patient Management & Treatment

Collaborative Research & Funding

Sponsors & Partners