Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global public health threat, with multi-drug-resistant infections expected to worsen over time (United Nations Foundation, 2021). As a complex challenge intersecting human, animal, and environmental health, AMR requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Purdue University’s upcoming Antimicrobial Resistance Conference, February 26-27 at Stewart Center, will explore key aspects of AMR through three thematic segments – Determinants, Dynamics, and Deterrence – each featuring an expert speaker who will share insights from a specialized area of research. Following each keynote presentation, additional speakers will contribute their findings to further advance the discussions.
Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. Devendra Shah
The conference will kick-off with a keynote address by Dr. Devendra Shah, BVSC, MVSC, PhD, a distinguished expert in infectious diseases and food safety who serves as professor of veterinary microbiology and infectious disease at the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from a rural community in Western India, Dr. Shah completed his veterinary education at Bombay Veterinary College and has extensive experience in both clinical practice and academic research in veterinary clinical microbiology. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and the pathogenesis of foodborne bacterial pathogens.
In his keynote presentation entitled, “Unraveling the Complex Drivers of AMR: Antibiotics, Pathogens, and Ecosystems,” Dr. Shah will explore the dynamic interactions between antibiotics, bacterial pathogens, and ecosystems. His talk will emphasize the need to move beyond simplistic views of antibiotic use and resistance, proposing a more holistic approach to understanding AMR. This perspective considers the broader ecological and biological forces that shape antimicrobial resistance, offering new pathways toward effective solutions.
Second Keynote Speaker: Dr. Fiona Henriquez-Mui
The afternoon keynote speaker on the conference’s first day is Professor Fiona Henriquez-Mui, BSc (Hons), PhD, Professor and Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Dr. Henriquez-Mui’s expertise lies in the study of free-living amoebae (FLA), predatory protists that play a critical role in ecosystem health. Her research focuses on their role as emerging pathogens and their potential contribution to the development of bacterial antimicrobial resistance within the “One Health” framework.
In her session, entitled “The Role of Amoebae in the Emergence of Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment and Considerations for One Health,” Dr. Henriquez-Mui will discuss her findings on how the interactions between FLA and bacteria contribute to the survival and evolution of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Her work also investigates how these interactions may allow pathogenic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas and Legionella species, to persist in the environment and during disinfection processes, with implications for public health and environmental sustainability.
Third Keynote Speaker: Dr. Amy Pruden-Bagchi
An expert in environmental microbiology and water resources engineering, Dr. Amy Pruden-Bagchi, BS, PhD, will give the concluding keynote presentation on the environmental factors driving the spread of antimicrobial resistance. As the W. Thomas Rice Professor and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech, Dr. Pruden-Bagchi conducts research focused on the environmental implications of antimicrobial resistance genes, the role of water infrastructure in AMR spread, and the application of molecular tools in surveillance efforts.
Entitled, “A Comprehensive Strategy to Mitigate AMR Informed by Omics-based Environmental Surveillance,” Dr. Pruden-Bagchi’s keynote talk will highlight the use of metagenomic sequencing to monitor antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and other genetic markers in wastewater and environmental samples. She will discuss how this surveillance approach can inform strategies to minimize the spread of AMR and optimize antimicrobial use, ensuring that it is both effective for treating disease and sustainable in the long term.
Conference Details and Poster Session
The AMR Conference also will feature a poster session showcasing research on antimicrobial resistance, with awards for the top two presenters in both the Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional categories. First place winners will receive $300, and second place winners will receive $150. To participate, please sign up as a Poster Competition Participant during registration.
The conference aligns with the Purdue One Health Initiative and is jointly supported by Purdue Veterinary Medicine, the College of Agriculture and its Department of Animal Sciences, and the College of Pharmacy. The organizers look forward to your participation in this important event.
Click here to learn more and to register.