Human Microbiome: From Models and Mechanism to Medicine
Jan 19–22, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB, Canada
Scientific Organizers:
Ami S. Bhatt, Tami Lieberman, and Harry Sokol
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Jan 19–22, 2026 | Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff, AB, Canada
Scientific Organizers: Ami S. Bhatt, Tami Lieberman, and Harry Sokol
Ami S. Bhatt, MD, PhD
Stanford University
Ami S. Bhatt, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine (Hematology) and Genetics at Stanford University. Dr. Bhatt has pioneered computational and experimental methods for studying the human microbiome, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of host-microbe interactions and a translational focus on improving clinical outcomes in patients. She has received numerous awards, including the American Society of Microbiology Microbiome Data Award and selection as a Sloan Foundation Fellow, and has extensive experience organizing microbiome-focused scientific sessions and conferences.
Tami Lieberman, PhD
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Tami Lieberman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at MIT in the Institute for Medical Engineering and Science and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She has developed new approaches to understanding microbiome community assembly and uncovering mechanisms using evolutionary approaches. Dr. Lieberman's work has provided fundamental insights into how bacteria adapt within the human body, particularly in the skin microbiome. She is a recipient of the NIH Director's New Innovator Award.
Harry Sokol
Saint-Antoine Hospital
Harry Sokol, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor in the Gastroenterology department of the Saint Antoine Hospital (APHP Paris), the co-director of the Microbiota, Gut & Inflammation team (INSERM Sorbonne Université) and group leader in Micalis institute (INRAE). His research has made important contributions to understanding the role of the microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease and metabolism. His work focuses on deciphering the gut microbiota-host interactions in health and diseases, to develop innovative treatments. As the current president of the French Group of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation he has coordinated multiple meetings and workshops to advance research and clinical practices related to fecal microbiota transplantation.
Available Formats:
Supported by the Directors' Fund
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = In Person = On DemandMonday, January 19, 2026
Fundraising
Booking Function
Merchandise Options
Registration Options
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Welcome and Keynote Session (Joint)
8:00–9:30 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Emily P Balskus, HHMI-Harvard University
Mechanistic Enzymology of Microbiome-Derived Gene Products
Mechanistic Enzymology of Microbiome-Derived Gene Products
Mohamed S. Abou Donia, Princeton University
Metagenomics Discovery of Microbial Gene Clusters
Metagenomics Discovery of Microbial Gene Clusters
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Riverview Lounge
Microbial Biochemistry in Health and Disease (Joint)
10:00–11:30 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Stavroula Hatzios, Yale University
Microbial Modulation of Redox-Active Molecules in the Gut
Microbial Modulation of Redox-Active Molecules in the Gut
Harry Sokol, Saint-Antoine Hospital
Effect of Microbiome on Energy Metabolism in IBD
Effect of Microbiome on Energy Metabolism in IBD
Tamia A Harris-Tryon, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Host-Microbial Crosstalk at the Skin Surface
Host-Microbial Crosstalk at the Skin Surface
Meet the Editors (Joint)
11:15–12:15 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Poster Setup
11:15–1:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
On Own for Lunch
11:15–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Symposia Spotlight 1: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
2:30–4:30 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Microbe-Host Interactions
5:00–7:00 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Mahesh S. Desai, Luxembourg Institute of Health
Diet, the Gut Microbiome and Host Health
Diet, the Gut Microbiome and Host Health
Ami S. Bhatt, Stanford University
Deciphering Microbe-Host Communication
Deciphering Microbe-Host Communication
Ramnik Xavier, Massachusetts General Hospital
Large-Scale Population Studies to Understand the Gut-Immune Axis
Large-Scale Population Studies to Understand the Gut-Immune Axis
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Posters
7:30–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Microbe-Microbe Interactions in the Human Microbiome
8:00–11:00 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Tami Lieberman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Evolution of the Skin Microbiome Across Scales
Evolution of the Skin Microbiome Across Scales
Sur Herrera Paredes, National Autonomous University of Mexico
Population Genetics to Study Evolution in the Human Microbiome
Population Genetics to Study Evolution in the Human Microbiome
Naama Geva-Zatorsky, Technion Institute of Technology
Functional Plasticity in Microbiota-Host interactions
Functional Plasticity in Microbiota-Host interactions
Benjamin D. Ross, Dartmouth College
Mechanisms and Consequences of Microbial Warfare in the Gut
Mechanisms and Consequences of Microbial Warfare in the Gut
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Riverview Lounge
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
On Own for Lunch
11:00–3:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Career Roundtable (Joint)
3:00–4:30 PM
Alhambra Ballroom
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
In vivo Diversity and Dynamics
5:00–7:00 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Bernat Olle, Vedanta Biosciences
Development of Potential First-in-Class Live Biotherapeutic Products for Gastrointestinal Diseases
Development of Potential First-in-Class Live Biotherapeutic Products for Gastrointestinal Diseases
Julie A. Segre, National Institutes of Health
Global Skin Microbiomes and Emerging Fungal Pathogens
Global Skin Microbiomes and Emerging Fungal Pathogens
Sarah Lebeer, University of Antwerp
Citizen Science to Study the Vaginal Microbiome
Citizen Science to Study the Vaginal Microbiome
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Posters
7:30–10:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Advanced Methods to Study the Microbiome (Joint)
8:00–11:00 AM
Cascade Ballroom
Donald E. Ingber, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard
Studying the Vaginal Microbiome with Organ-on-a-Chip Methods
Studying the Vaginal Microbiome with Organ-on-a-Chip Methods
Cheri Ackerman, Concerto Biosciences
Measuring Millions of Microbial Combinations to Unravel the Ecology of the Skin Microbiome
Measuring Millions of Microbial Combinations to Unravel the Ecology of the Skin Microbiome
Elaine Y. Hsiao, University of California, Los Angeles
Advances in the Gut-Brain Axis
Advances in the Gut-Brain Axis
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Break
9:00–9:20 AM
Riverview Lounge
On Own for Lunch
11:00–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
2:30–4:30 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Riverview Lounge
Microbiome Drivers of Disease
5:00–6:45 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Benjamin Hadida, Exeliom Biosciences
Microbiome-Based Therapeutics for Cancer Treatment
Microbiome-Based Therapeutics for Cancer Treatment
Karine Clément, INSERM / Sorbonne Universite
Diabetes, Obesity and the Gut Microbiome
Diabetes, Obesity and the Gut Microbiome
Premysl Bercik, McMaster University
Microbiome and IBS
Microbiome and IBS
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
6:45–7:00 PM
Cascade Ballroom
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Alberta/New Brunswick
Cash Bar
8:00–11:00 PM
Entertainment
8:00–11:00 PM
Friday, January 23, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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