We invite you to register for the 2025 Midwest Virology Symposium (MVS) — a three-day gathering of virology researchers, clinicians, and trainees from across the Midwest. This year’s symposium will be held at the University of Kentucky, with all sessions hosted in the state-of-the-art Jacobs Science Building.

📅 Dates: Sept. 26–28, 2025
📍 Location: Jacobs Science Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
💬 Format: In-person event featuring keynote addresses, scientific sessions, trainee talks, and a poster networking session

MVS 2025 Organizing Committee 

Special thanks to the MVS Organizing Committee. Their cross-college leadership and collaboration have been instrumental in bringing the 2025 symposium to life.

Faculty - Saurabh Chattopadhyay, PhD (Medicine) | Rebecca Dutch, PhD (Medicine) | Krystal Kuhs, PhD (Public Health) | Feng Li, PhD (Agriculture, Food and Environment) | Vince Venditto, PhD (Pharmacy) 

Trainees - Chase Heim (Medicine), Kripa Giri (Agriculture, Food and Environment)

🧪 Trainee Participation Encouraged

Participants are encouraged to submit abstracts for poster presentations and/or short talks. Several time slots have been reserved in the main program for trainee talks, and Saturday’s schedule features a dedicated poster session and networking opportunity.

Registration Fees: $100 for Faculty and PI, $50 for Trainees (students/staff)

🍽️ Registration includes access to all sessions, coffee and refreshments, and lunch and dinner events.

University of Kentucky registrants MUST pay the registration fee via a Journal Voucher to remain compliant with university guidelines. Please provide the cost center to charge for your registration fee when you register via the Qualtrics form below. The CURE-KY team will charge the registration fee to the cost center you provide. 

REGISTRATION IS TEMPORARILY PAUSED 

Please complete the registration form whether you are attending as a speaker, presenter, or guest. After submitting the form, you will receive an email with a payment link. Payment is required to complete your registration. 

Questions?

 If you have any questions, please contact the organizing committee at curekyidc@uky.edu, or Dr. Saurabh Chattopadhyay (Event Chair) at saurabh.chattopadhyay@uky.edu 

We’re honored to welcome Dr. Stanley Perlman, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa, as our keynote speaker for the 2025 Midwest Virology Symposium.

Dr. Perlman is a renowned expert in coronavirus biology and host immune responses, with groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. His decades of work have shaped global responses to viral outbreaks and informed major public health strategies.

Date and Time: Friday, Sept. 26 at 5:45 p.m. ET
Location: Jacobs Science Building Lecture Hall 121
Title: Neurological PASC in humans and mice

Confirmed speakers for the 2025 MVS.  *Presentation titles subject to change.*

Virology and Emerging Threats     |     Session I

Richard Kuhn, PhD (Purdue University) - Structural studies focused on Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses in Complex with Antibodies

Natasha Tilston-Lunel, PhD (Indiana University) - Bunyavirus Reassortment: Compatibility, Constraint, and Consequence

Jae Jung, PhD (Cleveland Clinic) - Inhibitor Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14-Nsp10 Exonuclease

Mike Berg, PhD (Abbott) - THE ABBOTT PANDEMIC DEFENSE COALITION: Diagnostic preparedness through pathogen surveillance and discovery

Siyuan Ding, PhD (WashU Medicine) - Molecular Determinants of Rotavirus Host Range

Immunity and Pathogenesis     |     Session II

Amy Hartman, PhD (University of Pittsburgh) - Factors controlling entry, tropism, and disease outcome in response to Rift Valley fever virus

Jacob Yount, PhD (Ohio State University) - Modeling and Mitigating Cardiac Complications of Influenza Virus Infection

Pranav Danthi, PhD (Indiana University) - Antagonism of the innate immunity by reovirus

Bethany Moore, PhD (University of Michigan) - The role of TLR9 in influenza-MRSA co-infection

Models and Therapeutics     |      Session III

Salvatore Simmini, PhD (StemCell Technologies) - Tissue-derived organoid models for in vitro viral infection and antiviral screening (Virtual)

John Williams, MD (University of Wisconsin) - The Nose Knows: Upper Airway Immunity to Human Metapneumovirus

Kerry Empey, PharmD, PhD (University of Pittsburgh) - Development of an intranasal RSV vaccine for young children

Persistence and Oncology     |     Session IV

Li Wu, PhD (University of Iowa) - Deciphering the Role of m6A Modifications in HIV-1 Latency and Persistence

Sharmila Nair, PhD (University of Louisville) - Leveraging Zika virus and the immune system to treat GBM

Nathan Ungerleider, PhD (Saint Louis University) - EBV broadly disrupts host microRNA maturation in Burkitt’s lymphoma

Krystle Kuhs, PhD (University of Kentucky) - New methods of early detection for HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer

Abstract Submission for Poster Sessions Now Open 

Submission deadline: Aug. 26, 2025
Files should be named: "LastNameMVS2025.docx"

All abstracts will be assigned space for a poster presentation unless otherwise requested.

Posters should match these sizes 36x44, 36x36, 36x48 or 44x36. Use this link for additional information: UKY Posters. Push pins will be provided on site.

*Please note: if multiple versions are submitted, the most recent file will be treated as the official abstract and will be the only version reviewed for poster assignment and oral-presentation consideration.*

Formatting Guidelines for Abstract Submission

• Use size 11 Arial or 12 Times New Roman font
• Maintain 1-inch margins on all sides
• Must include a title
• Must include a list of authors
• Maximum length: 200 words
• No figures or tables allowed
• File format: .docx,  .doc, or .pdf only

Upload your Abstract via this Link