2026 AMR Conference
February 25-26, 2026
We're grateful for your participation and engagement throughout the event. For your convenience, this archive includes the full schedule, speaker lineup, and session details as they occurred. Whether you’re revisiting highlights or exploring content you may have missed, we hope you find this a helpful resource. We look forward to seeing you at future conferences.
Schedule
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Registration I Refreshments I Browse Posters
8:30–8:45 a.m.
Opening Remarks
8:45–10:00 a.m.
Keynote: Klebsiella pneumoniae phenotypic and genotypic membrane resistance to antimicrobial peptides (Determinants) Presenter: Renee Fleeman
10:00–10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15–10:40 a.m.
Title: Leveraging Fic proteins as Antimicrobials
Presenter: Seema Mattoo
10:40–11:05 a.m.
Title: Antibiotic Resistance in Food Animal Microbiomes and Pathogens
Presenter: Tim Johnson
11:05–11:30 a.m.
Title: Field-Based Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Using One Health Biosensors
Presenter: Mohit Verma
11:30–11:50 a.m.
Determinants Q&A
11:50 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Lunch
12:45–2:00 p.m.
Keynote: Tackling AMR in Humans and Animals: One Health Approach for Fighting AMR (Dynamics)
Presenter: Herman Barkema
2:00–2:25 p.m.
Title: A Next Generation Probiotic-Based Pathogen Exclusion Strategy
Presenter: Arun Bhunia
2:25–2:40 p.m.
Break
2:40–3:05 p.m.
Title: Developing a 'Real-Time: Antibiogram Dashboard
Presenter: Wendy Beauvais
3:05–3:30 p.m.
Title: A Framework for Counterfactual Analysis, Strategy Evaluation, and Control of Epidemics using Reproduction Number Estimates
Presenter: Philip Pare
3:30–3:50 p.m.
Dynamics Q&A
3:50–6:00 p.m.
Reception & Poster Session
Thursday, February 27, 2025
8:30–9:45 a.m.
Keynote: Optimizing Antimicrobial Use in Animals: Stewardship and Diagnostics as Deterrence Tools (Deterrence)
Presenter: Dubraska Diaz-Campos
9:45–10:10 a.m.
Title: Targeting Mycobacterium Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases for Novel Anti-tuberculosis Agents
Presenter: Zhong-Yin Zhang
10:10–10:25 a.m.
Break
10:25–10:50 a.m.
Title: Promises and Perils: The Role of Molecular Diagnostics in AMR Deterrence
Presenter: Rachel Soltys
10:50–11:15 a.m.
Title: Design and Validation of Mutation-Resistant Therapies for Malaria and Influenza Virus Infections
Presenter: Philip Low
11:15–11:35 a.m.
Deterrence Q&A
11:35 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Keynote Panel Q&A
11:35 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Poster Awards
Presenters and Presentations
Renee Fleeman, PhD
Klebsiella pneumoniae phenotypic and genotypic membrane resistance to antimicrobial peptides
Klebsiella pneumoniae infections have become a serious threat to human health due to multi-drug resistance, prompting the CDC to classify it as a pathogen urgently requiring therapeutic development. Antimicrobial peptides offer a solution to multi-drug-resistant K. pneumoniae, however there is limited knowledge of resistance to antimicrobial peptides. We found that colistin resistance does not uniformly affect all host defense peptides, and using our genetic peptide surface display system in K. pneumoniae, we identified physiochemical properties that allow host defense peptides to bypass membrane-mediated colistin resistance. Clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae exhibited heterogeneous membrane dynamics, and transcriptional analysis revealed a coordinated response to de-energize membrane potential following peptide treatment. While genetic mutations leading to significant antimicrobial peptide resistance are rare, our findings suggest phenotypic tolerance may play a key role.
Seema Mattoo, PhD
Leveraging Fic proteins as Antimicrobials
Cells function by carefully orchestrating communication between proteins, often via post-translational modifications (PTMs). Dr. Mattoo’s team studies PTMs carried out by the evolutionarily conserved Fic (filamentation induced by cAMP) enzyme family. Predominant amongst these PTMs is AMPylation/adenylylation, which entails breakdown of ATP to add an AMP to the target protein. Dr. Mattoo’s group has discovered roles for AMPylation in microbial pathogenesis and mammalian proteostatic stress response. By manipulating AMPylation, her team aims to intercept detrimental signals to promote cellular health.
Tim Johnson, PhD
Antibiotic Resistance in Food Animal Microbiomes and Pathogens
Mohit Verma, PhD
Field-Based Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Using One Health Biosensors
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a complex, multi-pathogen syndrome that remains the costliest illness in North American cattle, with high incidence and nearly a billion dollars in annual losses. Treatment decisions are often hindered by rising antimicrobial resistance and the slow turnaround of current diagnostic tools. Rapid, field-based detection of resistance can significantly improve the accuracy and success of therapy. This session will present our development and deployment of biosensors designed for on-site detection of antimicrobial resistance in BRD pathogens, along with key findings from field implementation with veterinarians and producers.
Herman Barkema, DVM, PhD, FCAHS
Tackling AMR in Humans and Animals: One Health Approach for Fighting AMR
This presentation explores the urgent issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through a global One Health lens, recognizing the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment. It highlights the key drivers of AMR in both medical and agricultural settings, including the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. The presentation emphasizes the importance of integrated surveillance systems and cross-sector collaboration. It also highlights the critical role of global cooperation and the need to support low- and middle-income countries in addressing AMR. The goal is to promote coordinated, international action to combat AMR in animals and humans and protect global health for future generations.
Arun Bhunia, BVSc, PhD
A Next-Generation Probiotic-Based Pathogen Exclusion Strategy
Wendy Beauvais, BVetMed, MSc, PhD, DipECVPH
Developing a "Real-Time" Antibiogram Dashboard
Antibiograms are a useful tool for guiding treatment and monitoring resistance, but generating them is time-consuming, and there is a need for efficient, user-friendly tools. The AMR Visualizer was developed to generate antibiograms using veterinary teaching hospital data. The tool has been tested using veterinary teaching hospital data from several states in the USA.
Philip Pare, PhD
A Framework for Counterfactual Analysis, Strategy Evaluation, and Control of Epidemics using Reproduction Number Estimates
Dubraska Diaz-Campos, DVM, PhD
Optimizing Antimicrobial Use in Animals: Stewardship and Diagnostics as Deterrence Tools
Controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a coordinated, evidence-based approach that includes enhanced infection prevention and control, optimized antimicrobial use, and improved diagnostic practices. In veterinary medicine, these three components are critical but often underutilized tools for mitigating resistance within a One Health framework. This talk will explore practical strategies for implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs in clinical settings, emphasizing the role of veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories in guiding responsible therapy. Real-world examples will illustrate how collaborative interventions can support stewardship efforts, while also highlighting current limitations and areas of need. By strengthening the integration of education, diagnostics, and stewardship, veterinarians can play a central role in deterring the emergence and spread of AMR.
Zhong-Yin Zhang, PhD
Targeting Mycobacterium Protein Tyrosine Phosphateses for Novel Anti-tuberculosis Agents
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are often exploited and subverted by pathogenic bacteria to cause infection. Strikingly, mPTPA and mPTPB from Mycobacterium tuberculosis are essential virulence factors and contribute to its survival within host macrophages. This presentation will discuss our efforts in targeting mPTPB and mPTPA for novel anti-tuberculosis agents.
Rachel Soltys, DVM, PhD, DACVM
Promises and Perils: The Role of Molecular Diagnostics in AMR Deterrence
Antimicrobial resistance is a significant challenge in both human and veterinary medicine, resulting in difficult-to-treat infections and broader public health consequences. As a result, rapid detection and characterization of resistance is critical for selecting appropriate therapy and management practices. Emerging molecular diagnostic techniques such as metagenomic sequencing show considerable promise, particularly in enabling faster detection. However, clinicians must also be aware of the current limitations of these methods, including their limited ability to guide therapeutic selection.
Philip Low, PhD
A Framework for Counterfactual Analysis, Strategy Evaluation, and Control of Epidemics using Reproduction Number Estimates
