Theobald Smith Society Fall 2023 Symposium

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October 27, 2023

Noon-5pm

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Seton Hall University

Bethany Hall

400 S. Orange Ave

South Orange, NJ 07079

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The program will feature a poster session and feature talks by an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer Jennifer Leeds and the 2023 Theobald Smith Society Young Investigator Awardee,  Dana Price.

 

Jennifer A. Leeds, Ph.D., has spent most of her pharmaceutical career at Novartis, where she and her team discovered a potentially novel treatment for infections caused by Clostridioides difficile and a novel monobactam antibiotic. Leeds transitioned to corporate and business development, where she heads search and evaluation for Novartis on the West Coast of the U.S. and across Canada, leading in- and out-licensing deals and equity investments in biotech and serving on start-up boards.

Leeds currently serves on the ASM Finance Committee and co-chairs the AAR/Drug Discovery Task Force, working with ASM to re-engage applied microbiologists and the antimicrobial resistance community. She has served on NIH study sections, on several editorial boards and as an ASM Journals reviewer. Leeds is known for her service as a lecturer and mentor to dozens of students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and industrial scientists.

Leeds served on the Scientific Selection Board of the Novo Ventures REPAIR Fund, an all-antibiotic investment vehicle, and has advised several antibacterial start-up ventures. Leeds is a member of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Board of Directors, as well as a member of the President’s Council of Cornell Women. 

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Dana Price is Associate Research Professor in the Department of Entomology, School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University.  His research focuses on functional genomic analyses of vector arthropods and their holobiont - that is, the host and assemblage of commensal organisms (viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes) that live within and around them.  His current research initiatives include: novel means of rapid and non-destructive vector-borne pathogen sampling and discovery, reverse-vaccine development targeting invasive arthropods, tick-borne disease dynamics and discovery in a rapidly changing landscape, and genotyping and spatiotemporal distribution of arthropod-borne viruses.

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The meeting will be for members only.  It's only $5 for students and $25 for regular members.  If you have not already done so, join now or renew your membership for 2023.  Join Theobald Smith Society here.

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Register now!  Register below to be sure to receive updates and the program.  

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For more information contact Greg Wiedman (gregory.wiedman@shu.edu) or Ray Sullivan (raysully@njmicrobe.org). 

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