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Program

Join ASM and IDSA for the inaugural Interdisciplinary Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance and Innovation (IMARI), a one-of-a-kind forum uniting scientist, clinicians, industry leaders, and policymakers to advance the global response to antimicrobial resistance. This groundbreaking event will showcase the latest in antimicrobial drug discovery, development, and implementation through a dynamic and collaborative program. 

Program highlights include: 

  •  Plenary sessions featuring world-renowned thought leaders 
  •  Scientific symposia exploring advanced topics in antimicrobial resistance 
  •  Industry programs highlighting innovative and emerging technologies 
  •  Meet the expert sessions for direct dialogue with leaders in the field 
  •  Poster sessions presenting high-impact research from across disciplines 
Download the Digital Program
 

Note: The following schedule is a long-form comprehensive look at the meeting, including session times, speakers and topics.

Wednesday, January 28 Thursday, January 29 Friday, January 30


Wednesday, January 28

Workshops
8 a.m.–12 p.m.

(Additional fee $ and advanced registration required)

Expert Symposium A: Microbiomes as Reservoirs, Catalysts, and Solutions for AMR
George I & II

Moderators: Amy Mathers, M.D., D(ABMM), University of Virginia; Jeff Freiberg, M.D., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Medical Center

  • 8–8:10 a.m. | Opening Remarks
    Speakers: Amy Mathers, M.D., D(ABMM), University of Virginia; Jeff Freiberg, M.D., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Medical Center

  • 8:10–8:55 a.m. | Genomics of AMR: Past, Present, and Future
    Speaker: Derrick Crook, MBBCh, FRCP, FRCPath, University of Oxford

  • 8:55–9:40 a.m. | Accelerating Antibiotic Discovery with AI
    Speaker: Cesar de la Fuente, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

  • 9:40–10:10 a.m. | Break

  • 10:10–10:40 a.m. | Healthy Microbes Protecting Patients from AMR
    Speaker: Mary Hayden, M.D., Rush University

  • 10:40–11:10 a.m. | Traveler Microbiomes as Windows into Antibiotic Resistance Spread
    Speaker: Ashlee Earl, Ph.D., Broad Institute

  • 11:10–11:40 a.m. | Microbiomes as Reservoirs, Catalysts, and Solutions for AMR 
    Speaker: Michael Woodworth, M.D., MSc, Emory University

  • 11:40 a.m.–12 p.m. | Questions & Discussion

Expert Symposium B: Translating Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics to Optimize Antimicrobial Development and Clinical Utility
Louie I & II

Moderators: Thomas Tängdén, M.D., Ph.D., European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID); David Andes, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison; Andrew Fratoni, Pharm.D.,
Center for Anti-Infective Research & Development, Hartford Hospital

  • 8–8:10 a.m. | Welcome and Overview of Key Objectives for PK-PD Expert Symposium
    Speakers: Ryan Shields, Pharm.D., M.S., Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP); Thomas Tängdén, M.D., Ph.D., European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID); David Andes, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 8:10–8:55 a.m. | From Target to Therapeutic: Early PK Considerations in Antimicrobial Drug Development
    Speaker: Alexander Lepak, M.D., FIDSA, University of Wisconsin

  • 8:55–9:40 a.m. | Defining the Optimal Dose through Pre-Clinical PK-PD Modeling and a Pharmacometric Framework
    Speaker: Sujata Bhavnani, Pharm.D., MSc, Institute for Clinical Pharmacodynamics

  • 9:40–10:10 a.m. | Networking Break

  • 10:10–10:40 a.m. | Site-Specific PK-PD of Antimicrobials: From ELF to CNS
    Speaker: Keith Rodvold, Pharm.D., FCCP, FIDSA, University of Illinois

  • 10:40–11:10 a.m. | A New Era of Oral Agents for MDR Pathogens: PK-PD Considerations
    Speaker: Navaneeth Narayanan, Pharm.D., MPH, MS, BCIDP, MP, Rutgers University

  • 11:10–11:40 a.m. | Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: New Perspectives, Feasibility, and Applications for Patients with Difficult-to-Treat Infections
    Speaker: Erin McCreary, Pharm.D., University of Pittsburgh

  • 11:40 a.m.–12 p.m. | Wrap Up, Questions, and Discussion

Lunch Symposia
12:30–1:30 p.m.

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Industry Sponsored Lunch Symposia – bioMérieux
George I & II

  • 12:30–1:30 p.m. | From Empiricism to Precision: How Diagnostics Enable Optimal Use of Novel Therapeutics

    Speaker: Ryan Shields, PharmD, M.S., Pharmacist-Scientist, Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases

    The goal of this talk is to align clinical care, stewardship, microbiology and the antimicrobial pipeline towards optimal use of newly developed antibiotics aimed to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens.
3–5:15 p.m.

Opening Session: Antimicrobial Resistance: Facing the Challenge Now
Congo I, II, III, & IV

  • 3–3:15 p.m. | Opening Remarks
    Speakers: Cesar A. Arias, M.D., MSc, Ph.D., Houston Methodist and Weill Cornell Medical College, IMARI 2026 Co-Chair; Greg Moeck, Ph.D., IMARI 2026 Co-Chair

  • 3:15–3:45 p.m. | Antibiotics as Infrastructure for Civilization
    Speaker: Kevin Outterson, J.D., LL.M., ESQ, CARB-X

  • 3:45–4:15 p.m. | Discovering New Antibiotics in the 21st Century
    Speaker: Kim Lewis, Ph.D., Northeastern University

  • 4:15–4:45 p.m. | Fighting an Antimicrobial Resistant Infection: A Patient’s Perspective
    Speaker: Ella Balasa, Patient Advocate

  • 4:45–5:15 p.m. | Capturing the Global Burden of AMR: A Film by Dan Reed
    Speaker: Dan Reed, Director, Amos Pictures
5:30–7 p.m. Opening Reception
Azilo

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Thursday, January 29

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Concurrent Sessions
7:30–8:45 a.m.

Meet the Expert: PBP Occupancy: Challenges and Opportunities for Antimicrobial Discovery
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Alita Miller, Ph.D., ArrePath Inc.; Laurent Poirel, Ph.D., University of Fribourg

  • Optimizing PBP and β-lactamase Inhibition to Overcome β-lactam Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria
    Speaker: Antonio Oliver, Ph.D., Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears

  • Landscape and Phenotypic Determination of Synergistic PBP Occupancy Patterns in Gram-Negative Bacteria
    Speaker: Jürgen Bulitta, Ph.D., St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Meet the Expert: Metallo-β-lactamases and MBL Inhibitors
George I & II

Moderators: Olga Lomovskaya, Ph.D., SVP, Qpex Biopharma Inc.; Samuel Aitken, Pharm.D., Michigan Medicine

  • How Much Do We Actually Know (and Don´t Know) About Metallo-β-Lactamase Biochemistry and Host Specificity?
    Speaker: Alejandro Vila, Ph.D., Universidad Nacional de Rosario

  • Rational Design of Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitors
    Speaker: Graciela Mahler, Ph.D., Universidad de la República

Mentoring Session: Career Paths in AMR
Louie I & II

Moderators: Bill Shafer, Ph.D., Emory University School of Medicine; Harrison Lee, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

  • Panel Discussion
    Speakers: Judith Steenbergen, Ph.D., Scientific and Medical Affairs Consulting; Eric Brown, Ph.D., McMaster University; Pranita Tamma, M.D., M.H.S., University of Pennsylvania
9–10:30 a.m.

Plenary Session: New Antimicrobial Agents in The Pipeline: Early Clinical Development
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Karen Bush, Ph.D., Indiana University; Patricia Bradford, Ph.D., Antimicrobial Development Specialists, LLC

  • 9–9:15 a.m. | Historical Overview of the Antimicrobial Pipeline: Success or Failure?
    Speaker: Karen Bush, Ph.D., Indiana University

  • 9:15–10:30 a.m. | New Antimicrobial Agents 
    • 9:15–9:30 a.m. | Compound SCY-247
      Presenter: David Angulo, M.D., SCYNEXIS, Inc.
    • 9:30–9:45 a.m. | Compound SER-155
      Presenter: Dennis Walling, M.D., Seres Therapeutics
    • 9:45–10 a.m. | Compound Zosurabalpin
      Presenter: Michael Lobritz, M.D., Ph.D., Roche
    • 10–10:15 a.m. | Compound Turletricin/EL219
      Presenter: Taylor Sandison, M.D., MPH, Elion Therapeutics
    • 10:15–10:30 a.m. | Compound FG-2101
      Presenter: Andrew Tomaras, Ph.D., Blacksmith Medicines
10:30–10:45 a.m.

Morning Refreshment Break
Nikko
Concurrent Sessions
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Symposium: Hot Topics in AMR Among Gram-Positive Bacteria
Louie I & II

Moderators: Thomas Holland, M.D., MSc, Duke University; Ayesha Khan, Ph.D., UC Irvine School of Medicine

  • 10:45–11:15 a.m. | Mechanism of Lipopeptide Action
    Speaker: Yousif Shamoo, Ph.D., Rice University

  • 11:15–11:45 a.m. | Collateral Damage of Rifaximin Prophylaxis in VRE
    Speaker: Glen Carter, Ph.D., University of Melbourne

  • 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Novel Biomimetic Nanomedicines and Nanovaccines for MRSA and Other Leading AMR Pathogens
    Speaker: Victor Nizet, M.D., University of California

Symposium: New Generation β-lactamase Inhibitors
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Robert Bonomo, M.D., Louis Stokes Cleveland Medical Center; William Miller, M.D., Houston Methodist Hospital

  • 10:45–11:15 a.m. | β-lactamase Inhibitor Discovery
    Speaker: Olga Lomovskaya, Ph.D., Qpex

  • 11:15–11:45 a.m. | Escape Mutants Against Novel Broad Spectrum BLIs: Microbiological and Clinical Implications
    Speaker: Laurent Poirel, Ph.D., University of Fribourg

  • 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Rationale for Pairing β-lactams with Inhibitors
    Speaker: Tomefa Asempa, PharmD, Hartford Hospital Center for Anti-Infective Research & Development (CAIRD)

Symposium: Antifungal Discovery Near and Far
George I & II

Moderators: David Andes, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison; Minh-Hong Nguyen, M.D., University of Pittsburgh

  • 10:45–11:15 a.m. | Antifungal Resistance Gaps
    Speaker: Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, M.D., UTHealth Houston

  • 11:15–11:45 a.m. | Early Discovery Approaches and Promising Leads
    Speaker: Damian Krysan, M.D., Ph.D., University of Iowa

  • 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | New Agents in Clinical Development
    Speaker: Andrej Spec, M.D., MSCI, Washington University
12:30–2 p.m.

Poster Session #1
Nikko

Lunch Symposia
1–2 p.m.

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Industry Sponsored Lunch Symposia – AbbVie
George I & II

  • 1–2 p.m. | Review of the EMBLAVEO In Vitro and Clinical Data
    Speaker: Brandon Smith, M.D., PharmD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

    This session will provide an overview of the in vitro and clinical data supporting the use of EMBLAVEO.
12:30–1 p.m.

Lunch
Clyde and Nikko
Concurrent Sessions
2:15–3:45 p.m.

Symposium: Novel Insights into β-lactam Resistance in Gram-Positive Pathogens
George I & II

Moderators: Erin Duffy Ph.D., Gates Foundation; Cecilia Tran, Pharm.D., Houston Methodist and Weill Cornell Medical College

  • 2:15–2:45 p.m. | Convergent Pathways for Cell Envelope Defense Against Daptomycin and B-lactams: The Seesaw Effect  
    Speaker: Kara Hood, Ph.D., Houston Methodist Research Institute

  • 2:45–3:15 p.m. | Mechanisms of Broad-spectrum β-lactam Resistance in S. aureus
    Speaker: Som Chatterjee, Ph.D., University of Maryland

  • 3:15–3:45 p.m. | PBPs and β-lactam Resistance in Enterococci and Streptococci
    Speaker: Louis Rice, M.D., Brown University

Symposium: What is New in Antimicrobial Resistance Detection? AST for New Agents Against MDRO
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Romney Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP), Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Carey-Ann Burnham, Ph.D., Pattern Bioscience

  • 2:15–2:45 p.m. | Diagnostics Considerations for Drug Development
    Speaker: Robin Patel, M.D., Mayo Clinic

  • 2:45–3:15 p.m. | Predicting Novel AMR Resistance Mechanisms through AI and WGS
    Speaker: David Greenberg, M.D., University of Texas Southwestern

  • 3:15–3:45 p.m. | Transcriptomics as a Tool to Predict Antibiotic Susceptibility
    Speaker: Roby Bhattacharyya, M.D., Ph.D., Broad Institute-Harvard

Symposium: Current Trends in Antifungal Resistance
Louie I & II

Moderators: Max Adelman, M.D., Houston Methodist; Mariana Castaneira, Ph.D., JMI Laboratories; Thomas Tängdén, M.D., Ph.D., European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)

  • 2:15–2:45 p.m. | Candida Heteroresistance
    Speaker: Tobias Hohl, M.D., Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering

  • 2:45–3:15 p.m. | The Rise of Candida auris
    Speaker: Jeniel Nett, M.D., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • 3:15–3:45 p.m. | Resistance in Aspergillus and Related Molds
    Speaker: Nathan Wiederhold, Pharm.D., University of Texas at San Antonio
3:45–4 p.m.

Afternoon Refreshment Break
Nikko
4–5:15 p.m.

Plenary Session
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Greg Moeck, Ph.D., IMARI 2026 Co-Chair; Amy Mathers, M.D., D(ABMM), University of Virginia

  • 4–4:45 p.m. | Outstanding Oral Abstract Presentations

    • 4–4:15 p.m. | A Novel Mechanism of Ceftolozane–Tazobactam Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mediated by L2 Beta-Lactamase
      Presenter: Preeti Garai, Northwestern University
    • 4:15–4:30 p.m. | Investigations on the Mechanism of Action of the Novel Anti-Fungal MBX-7591
      Presenter: Keyla Ramirez Soto, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine
    • 4:30–4:45 p.m. | Transferable B-lactam Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Via Truncation of pbp4 and Acquisition of a Novel PBP (PBP-4a) Gene
      Presenter: Guillermo Hoppe-Elsholz, Weill Cornell Medical College

  • 4:45–5:15 p.m. | The Ribosome as an Antibacterial Target
    Speaker: Alexander Mankin, DSc, Ph.D., University of Illinois

Evening Symposia
6–8 p.m.

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Industry Sponsored Evening Symposium – Becton Dickinson (BD)
George I & II

  • 6–8 p.m. | NDM as a Signal: What a 460% Surge Reveals About AMR System Readiness

    Speaker(s): Romney Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP), Director of the Division of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Director of the Microbiology Laboratory at Vanderbilt University, Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology; Lynn Connolly, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at Qpex; Maroya Spalding Walters, Ph.D., ScM, Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service and Senior Epidemiologist and Lead of the Antimicrobial Resistance Team at CDC

    The CDC’s recent report of a 460% increase in New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)–producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) is more than a microbiologic anomaly — it’s a stress test for our healthcare infrastructure. This symposium will use NDM as a case study to examine how a single resistance mechanism can expose systemic gaps across diagnostics, therapeutic innovation, stewardship, and public health policy.

    Through a cross-functional lens, experts will explore how mechanism-level data can drive smarter detection, targeted therapy, and coordinated response. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how early warning signals like NDM can catalyze innovation and collaboration across sectors to strengthen AMR preparedness.



Friday, January 30

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Concurrent Sessions
7:30–8:45 a.m.

Meet the Expert: Best AMR Papers of 2025: AAC and JID
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Cesar A. Arias, M.D., Ph.D., M.S., Editor in Chief of AAC; Cornelius (Neil) J. Clancy, M.D., University of Pittsburgh

  • 7:30–8:45 a.m. | Research Highlights: Selected Best Papers
    Speaker(s): Ayesha Khan, Ph.D., UC Irvine School of Medicine; Madison Stellfox, M.D., University of Pittsburgh

Meet the Expert: Non-Dilutive Push Funding: Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X), Gram-Negative Antibiotic Discovery Innovator (Gr-ADI), Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy (PACE)
George I & II

Moderators: Erin Duffy Ph.D., Gates Foundation; Patricia Bradford, Ph.D., Antimicrobial Development Specialists, LLC

  • 7:30–8:45 a.m. | Panel Discussion
    Speakers: Su Chiang, Ph.D., CARB-X; Beverley Isherwood, Ph.D., PACE; Erin Duffy Ph.D., Gates Foundation

Mentoring Session: NIH Grants in AMR
Louie I & II

Moderators: Robert Bonomo, M.D., Louis Stokes Cleveland Medical Center; Pranita Tamma, M.D., Johns Hopkins Hospital

  • 7:30–8:45 a.m. | NIH Grants in AMR
    Speakers: Clayton Huntley, Ph.D., NIH/NIAID; Michael Berney, Ph.D., Chair AIRT, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Concurrent Sessions
9–10:30 a.m.

Symposium: Novel Dosing Strategies to Optimize Efficacy of New Antimicrobials Against MDR Pathogens
Louie I & II

Moderators: Keith Rodvold, Pharm.D., University of Illinois Chicago; Boudewjn DeJonge, Ph.D., Shionogi

  • 9–9:30 a.m. | Long-Acting Glycopeptides
    Speaker: Cecilia Tran, Pharm.D., Houston Methodist and Weill Cornell

  • 9:30–10 a.m. | β-lactam – β-lactamase Inhibitors
    Speaker: Milo Gatti, M.D., University of Bologna

  • 10–10:30 a.m. | Antifungals
    Speaker: Alexander Lepak, M.D., FIDSA, University of Wisconsin

Symposium: Optimizing Clinical Trial Design for New Antibiotics
George I & II

Moderators: Lilian Abbo, M.D., MBA, University of Miami & Jackson Health System; Roby Bhattacharyya, M.D., Ph.D., Broad Institute-Harvard

  • 9–9:30 a.m. | Don’t Bac Down: Designing Great Clinical Trials in Bacteremia
    Speaker: Thomas Holland, M.D., MSc, Duke University

  • 9:30–10 a.m. | Nosocomial Pneumonia/VAP
    Speaker: Richard Wunderink, M.D., Northwestern University

  • 10–10:30 a.m. | Trials in Antifungals
    Speaker: Minh-Hong Nguyen, M.D., University of Pittsburgh

Symposium: Antibiotic Discovery
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Alita Miller, Ph.D., ArrePath Inc.; Razi Kebriaei, Ph.D., Ohio State University

  • 9–9:30 a.m. | Deep Learning for Antibiotic Discovery
    Speaker: James Collins, Ph.D., Broad Institute

  • 9:30–10 a.m. | What’s New in Monoclonal Antibodies
    Speaker: Juliane Bubeck-Wardenburg, M.D., Ph.D., Washington University

  • 10–10:30 a.m. | Mining Microorganisms for Antibiotic Discovery
    Speaker: Rolf Mueller, Pharm.D., Ph.D., Helmholtz Pharmaceutical
10:30–10:45 a.m.

Morning Refreshment Break
Nikko
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Poster Session #2
Nikko


11 a.m.–12 p.m.

Policy Update: Partnerships, Policy, and PASTEUR—Oh My! Opportunities to Advance AMR Policy and Beyond
Congo I, II, III, & IV

  • Panel Discussion
    Speakers: Amalia Corby, M.S., American Society for Microbiology; Michael Craig, MPP, US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Amanda Jezek, Infectious Diseases Society of America
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Lunch
Clyde and Nikko
12:30–1:45 p.m.

Plenary Session and Closing Lecture  
Congo I, II, III, & IV

Moderators: Cesar A. Arias, M.D., MSc, Ph.D., Houston Methodist and Weill Cornell Medical College, IMARI 2026 Co-Chair; Greg Moeck, Ph.D., IMARI 2026 Co-Chair

  • 12:30–1:15 p.m. | Outstanding Oral Abstract Presentations

    • 12:30–12:45 p.m. | Emergence and Genomic Context of Aztreonam–Avibactam Non-Susceptibility in Metallo-β-Lactamase–Producing Escherichia coli in Michigan
      Presenter: Karla Vasco, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

    • 12:45–1 p.m. | Base Excision Repair Deficiency Drives Highly Specific Mutagenesis and Rapid Drug Resistance Acquisition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
      Presenter: Kalen Hall, Informuta, Inc.

    • 1–1:15 p.m. | Direct-from-Blood Molecular Diagnostic for Detection of Bloodstream Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistant Markers in ~ 1 Hour
      Presenter: Kimberle Chapin, Deepull Diagnostics

  • 1:15–1:45 p.m. | Looking Ahead: The Next Era of AMR Research and Discovery
    Speaker: Eric Brown, Ph.D., McMaster University