IDI 7th Annual Meeting

The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is pleased to announce the IDI 7th Annual Meeting. This all-day meeting is the IDI's premier annual event, focusing on interdisciplinary infectious disease research with leading experts in the field and will include a poster session and a research networking event after the meeting.

Meeting Details

November 14, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom, Ohio Union

The meeting registration and trainee abstract submission deadline is now closed.

IDI is pleased to welcome the following keynote speakers:

Erin Allmann Updyke headshot.

Dr. Erin Updyke

Erin Allmann Updyke, MD, PhD, is an epidemiologist, disease ecologist and board certified Family Medicine physician. Co-host of This Podcast Will Kill You.
Erin Welsh headshot.

Dr. Erin Welsh

Erin Welsh, PhD, is a disease ecologist and epidemiologist now working full-time as a science communicator through her work on This Podcast Will Kill You.
Seema headshot.

Dr. Seema Lakdawala

Seema Lakdawala, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Opening Remarks

IDI 7th Annual Meeting Program

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West                                      


8:30 AM – 9:00 AM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                 

 


9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West

                                                                              

 

 


 


10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West


10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West                                

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                           

                                                                                                       
 

                                                                                                                                                         


11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom East


12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West


1:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West

                                                                               

                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                              
 

 
 

                                                                                             


2:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West


3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West

 

 

 


4:30 PM – 4:45 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West

 

 


4:45 PM – 6:00 PM

Archie M. Griffin Ballroom West

Check-In & Breakfast

Note: Self-service check-in stations will be located outside of the room; name badges will be arranged in alphabetical order by last name


Welcome & Introduction 

Ravi Bellamkonda, PhD 

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

The Ohio State University
 

Loren Wold, PhD 

Senior Associate Vice President for Research, Enterprise for Research, Innovation, and Knowledge

The Ohio State University
 

Michael Oglesbee, DVM, PhD

Director, Infectious Diseases Institute

The Ohio State University


Morning Keynote Address

Erin Welsh, PhD

Disease Ecologist, Epidemiologist, Science Communicator
 

Erin Allman Updyke, MD, PhD

Disease Ecologist, Epidemiologist, Family Medicine Physician, Science Communicator

Presentation Title: Science communication through conversation


Coffee Break

 


Selected Short Talks by Interdisciplinary Program in Microbe-Host Biology Trainees (NIH T32; Supported by the IDI and College of Medicine)

Introduction to Program

Kevin Mason, PhD

Principal Investigator, Nationwide Children's Hospital
 

Predoctoral Fellows

Miranda Hilt

Presentation Title: Role of glucocorticoids in stress-induced microbial dysbiosis and antimicrobial defense during infectious gastroenteritis

Michael Parthun

Presentation Title: Differential roles in murine lungs and trachea for Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) in limiting Influenza A virus infection
 

Postdoctoral Fellow

Jana Cable, PhD

Presentation Title: Decipher the mechanisms by which prior viral infections impact disease severity, pathology, and lung/heart tissue damage in sequential respiratory virus infections


Poster Session

 


Lunch

 


Afternoon Session Short Talks

Featured 2024 IDI Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant Program Awardees

Megan Meuti, PhD

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Presentation Title: Uncovering the environmental and biological drivers of seasonal West Nile virus transmission
 

Afsoon Sabet

PhD Candidate, The Ohio State University

Risa Pesapane, PhD

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Presentation Title: Elucidating dispersal mechanisms of Gulf Coast ticks in the United States
 

New Ohio State Faculty Member

Skye Fishbein, PhD

Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University

Presentation Title: Resolving commensal Lachnospiraceae function during Clostridioides difficile pathogenesis
 

Introduction to the IDI Trainee Association

Kush Kumar Yadav, PhD

Faculty Co-Advisor, IDI Trainee Association
 

Featured Trainee

Christoph Weigel, PhD

Presentation Title: DNA methylation profiling of human herpesviruses reveals distinct epigenetic layouts with diagnostic and therapeutic applications


Coffee Break with Dessert

 


Afternoon Keynote Address

Seema Lakdawala, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Emory University

Presentation Title: Every breath you take: Transmission of influenza viruses


Top Abstract for Oral Presentation and Poster Awards Closing Remarks

Michael Oglesbee, DVM, PhD

Director, Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University

Note: The charter bus for Wooster Campus attendees departs at ~5:45 PM


Networking Reception

Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar