Annual WNY ASM Fall Symposium
Saturday, October 17th, 2026
This is a HYBRID Event (Attendance LIVE and ONLINE via ZOOM)
Active Learning Center, University at Buffalo
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Downtown Buffalo Campus
Symposium Program
9:00-10:00am:
Registration and Refreshments
10:00-10:15am:
Opening Remarks
10:15- 10:35am:
Kyle Salka, Erwin Neter Award Winner 2026
Ph. D. Candidate, Department of Immunology & Microbiology
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
“Elucidating the role of EHD4 as an HIV-1 restriction factor”
10:35-11:35am:
ASM Distinguished Lecturer Kirsten Nielsen, Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia
“One Gene to Rule Them All?
A Lord of the Rings Host-Pathogen Interaction.”
11:35am–Noon:
Five “Flash” Presentations from Student Posters
12:00-1:00pm:
Student Poster Session
1:00-2:00pm:
Lunch
2:00-2:40pm:
Student Abstract Presentations 1 & 2 (20 min each)
2:45-3:30pm:
Amanda L.M. Bloom, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
University at Buffalo, Buffalo
“From Mitochondria to the Cell Surface: Yck2 Coordinates
Cellular Homeostasis in Cryptococcus neoformans”
3:30pm:
Convene
- Luncheon fee for WNY ASM Regular Members who paid 2026 Dues*: $15
- Luncheon and Membership fee for WNY ASM Regular Members: $40
- ZOOM Attendance and Membership fee for WNY ASM Regular Members: $30
- Luncheon fee for WNY ASM Student Members who paid 2026 Dues*: $5
- Luncheon and Membership fee for WNY ASM Student Members: $15
- ZOOM Attendance and Membership fee for WNY ASM Student Members: $15
*You are a CURRENT 2026 member if you paid dues AFTER Sept 1, 2026. If you are unsure of your dues status email Lynn Connors at
Attendance Certificates Available
Registration Deadline is Monday, October 12, 2026
