Microbial organisms and our health: World-renowned expert visits UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. — David Relman, a world-renowned expert on infectious disease and microbial ecology, will visit the University at Buffalo this month to take part in two events exploring the human microbiome — the collection of trillions of microorganisms living in and on the human body.

Relman, MD, is the featured guest in UB’s 2014 Critical Conversations program. Hosted by the UB Office of the President, this annual series spotlights prominent scholars who are leading the conversation about major questions and challenges facing the world.

Both events featuring Relman are free and open to the public:

• At 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, Relman will deliver a keynote address titled, “Your Inner Self: The Human Microbiome in Health and Disease.” This event takes place in Butler Auditorium (150 Farber Hall) on UB’s South Campus. A reception will follow.
• At 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, Relman will participate in an interdisciplinary panel discussion titled, “Understanding Infectious Diseases: Does It Take a Community?” This event takes place in 105 Harriman Hall on UB’s South Campus.

Advance registration is requested, but not required.

A map of South Campus, along with information on parking, is available at http://www.buffalo.edu/buildings/pdf-page.html.

Relman is the Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan Professor and professor of microbiology and immunology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He serves as chief of infectious diseases at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System in California and is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science, as well as a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

His Oct. 30 lecture will focus on how microbial organisms are fundamental to human health and adaptability, and how the study of the human microbiome can enable scientists to recognize and treat diseases in ways we never thought possible.

In addition to Relman, the Oct. 31 panel will include:

• Wei Zheng, UB doctoral student, computer science and engineering;
• Susan Baker, MD, PhD, UB professor of pediatrics;
• Robert Genco, DDS, PhD, UB vice provost and SUNY Distinguished Professor of Periodontics and Endodontics;
• Thomas Russo, MD, UB professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology; and
• James Jensen, PhD, UB professor of civil, structural and environmental engineering.

Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD, interim dean of UB’s School of Public Health and Health Professions and professor of epidemiology and environmental health, will moderate the discussion.