Tri-I MMPTP Symposium

2025 Tri-I Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program Symposium

 

2025 Tri-I Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program Symposium

Speakers will Include:

Dr. Orlando Arguello Miranda

North Carolina State University

 

Dr. Abigail LaBella

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

 

Dr. Caroline Laplante

North Carolina State University

 

Dr. Thuy Le

Duke University

 

Dr. José Vargas-Muñiz

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

 

JULY 28

8:45 AM-5:00 PM

 

Location: Love Auditorium

Levine Science Research Center B101

Duke University

  

Detailed Agenda below.

 

Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program

Symposium Schedule July 28, 2025

 

8:50 AM - 9:00 AM Coffee and Pastries

8:30 AM - 8:50 AM Welcome and Introduction

Session I

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM The Ten Commandments for mycologists, Dr. Thuy Le, Duke University

9:45 AM - 10:05 AM A Microscopy-Based Perspective on Structural Consequences of β-1,6-Glucan Deficiency in C. neoformans, Dr. Joe Vasselli, Duke University

10:05 AM - 10:25 AM Disrupting STRIPAK signaling drives an alternative mode of reproduction in Cryptococcus neoformans, Dr. Patricia Peterson, Duke University

10:25 AM - 11:10 AM Deletion of septin AspB unlocks caspofungin fungicidal potential in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, Dr. José Vargas-Muñiz, Virginia Tech

11:10 AM - 11:30 AM Morning Break

Session II

11:35 AM - 12:20 PM Decoding fungal traits using codon usage bias, Dr. Abigail LaBella, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

12:20 PM - 12:40 PM Aureobasidium pullulans—a new model of physiological generalism, Dr. Audrey Williams, Duke University

12:40 PM - 1:00 PM Transcriptional investigation of endophyte role in the wheat-Parastagonospora nodorum pathosystem, Xavious Allen, North Carolina State University

1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Talk title: TBD, Dr. Rytas Vigalys, Duke University

1:20 PM - 2:30 PM Lunch

Session III

2:35 PM - 3:20 PM From Yeast to Us: Visualizing the universal engine of cell division with quantitative microscopy, Dr. Caroline LaPlante, North Carolina State University

3:20 PM - 3:40 PM Temperature and genetic background drive mobilization of diverse transposable elements in Cryptococcus neoformans, Anna Mackey, Duke University

3:40 PM - 4:00 PM Nuclear division autonomy in a multinucleate fungus from asymmetric cell cycle coupling, Dr. Ameya Jalihal, Duke University

 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Mycology through Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Orlando Arguello-Miranda, North Carolina State University

4:45 PM - 4:50 PM Closing

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Event at Hi-Wire Brewing, Light dinner and drinks courtesy of Dr. Joseph Heitman, Address: 800 Taylor St #9-150, Durham, NC 27701