The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Meeting. This all-day meeting is the IDI's premier annual event, focusing on bringing together leading experts to explore interdisciplinary infectious disease research.

Meeting Details

Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
Time: 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Location: Archie M. Griffin Ballroom, Ohio Union

The meeting highlights the breadth of infectious disease research across Ohio State and its partners while creating opportunities for collaboration, idea sharing and new connections.

Registration and Deadlines

Cost: Free
Abstract Submission Deadline: October 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. Abstract submissions are now closed.
Registration Deadline: October 23, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Abstract and Poster Information

Presenting at the IDI 8th Annual Meeting? Review abstract and poster presentation guidelines, deadlines, and formatting instructions.

IDI is pleased to welcome the following keynote speakers:

Jacqueline Kirchner headshot.

Jacqueline Kirchner, PhD

Deputy Director, Biologics Discovery, Discovery and Translational Sciences, Global Health Division, Gates Foundation
Luis Martinez-Sobrido headshot.

Luis Martinez-Sobrido, PhD

Professor, Department of Infectious Disease and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Sadie J. Ryan headshot.

Sadie J. Ryan, PhD

Professor, Department of Geography, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida

Experience the Annual Meeting

From keynote presentations and poster sessions to networking opportunities, the annual meeting offers multiple ways to engage with Ohio State's infectious diseases research community.

Researchers discussing scientific posters during a poster session.
Speaker presenting at a previous IDI Annual Meeting.
Attendees gathered for a presentation during a previous IDI Annual Meeting.

IDI 8th Annual Meeting Tentative Program

Schedule subject to change.

8–8:30 a.m.
Check-In and Breakfast


8:30–9 a.m.
Welcome from Leadership 

Steven Ringel, PhD, senior associate vice president for research, Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge
Jordi B. Torrelles, PhD, director, Infectious Diseases Institute


9–9:50 a.m.
Opening Keynote Address

Jacqueline Kirchner, PhD, deputy director, Biologics Discovery, Discovery and Translational Sciences, Global Health Division, Gates Foundation
Presentation title: Harnessing innovation for global health


9:50–10 a.m.
Coffee Break


10–11 a.m.
Panel Discussion: From discovery to impact: scaling infectious disease innovation through partnership

Liliana Brown, PhD, director, Office of Genomics and Advanced Technologies, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Bill Dunlevy, MBA, vice president, Ohio Life Sciences
Ian Harris, chief executive officer, SPAERO Systems, LLC
Jacqueline Kirchner,  PhD, deputy director, Biologics Discovery, Discovery and Translational Sciences, Global Health Division, Gates Foundation


11 AM–noon
Trainee Poster Session


Noon–12:45 p.m.
Lunch


12:45–1:30 p.m.
T32 Trainee Short Talks

Introduction to Program
Daniel Wozniak, PhD, professor, Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine
T32 Trainees, TBD


1:30–2:20 p.m.
Mid-Day Keynote Address

Luis Martinez-Sobrido, PhD, professor, Department of Infectious Disease and Prevention, Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Presentation title: TBD


2:20–2:35 p.m.
ID Clinical Fellow Talk

Katherine Bergman, MD, infectious diseases fellow, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine
Presentation title: Something in the air


2:35–2:50 p.m.
IDI-Trainee Association (IDI-TA) and Featured IDI Trainee (selected from abstract submissions)

Introduction to IDI-TA
Christoph Weigel, PhD, president, IDI-TA
IDI Trainee, TBD


2:50–3:20 p.m.
Coffee Break and Networking


3:20–4:10 p.m.
Closing Keynote Address

Sadie J. Ryan, PhD, professor, Department of Geography, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida
Presentation title: Tools, not scare tactics: mapping future thermal suitability of mosquito-borne diseases


4:10–4:30 p.m.
Research and Preparedness for Infectious Diseases (RAPID) and Plant and Animal Agrosecurity Research (PAAR) Facility Lightning Talks

Greg Habing, MS, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVPM, professor and vice chair, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine
Andrew Bowman, MS, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVPM, professor, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine
Renukaradhya Gourapura, DVM, PhD, director and professor, Center for Food Animal Health, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Cody Warren, MPH, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine


4:30–4:45 p.m.
Award Ceremony and Closing Remarks

Jordi B. Torrelles, PhD, director, Infectious Diseases Institute

Note: The charter bus for Wooster Campus attendees departs at ~4:45 PM

Questions?

For questions about the IDI 8th Annual Meeting, please contact the Infectious Diseases Institute at IDI@osu.edu.

If you register but can no longer attend, please email IDI@osu.edu as soon as possible. Advance notice helps us maintain accurate attendance records and catering counts.