2024 Boston Bacterial Meeting (BBM)

Project Summary/Abstract For 29 years, the annual Boston Bacterial Meeting (BBM) has brought together researchers involved in all areas of bacteriology research, attracting attendees from both within and outside New England. In congruence with its goal of cultivating the scientific and professional growth of young scientists, this long-standing meeting is organized by student and postdoctoral fellow volunteers, with faculty and administrative support. BBM is a two-day meeting featuring short oral presentations, multiple poster sessions, breakout sessions, evening receptions, and a keynote lecture by a leading senior investigator. The participants typically hail from over 100 academic and biotechnology institutions and span both the breadth and depth of bacteriology research in the New England area and increasingly beyond. Many participants attend BBM every year, recognizing it as a unique, intellectually stimulating, and innovative conference. BBM aims to (1) offer opportunities for young investigators to present their research, (2) provide a forum for scientists to learn about and discuss new bacteriology research, and (3) foster collaboration and encourage participants to build professional relationships. All research presentations at BBM are given by students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior industry scientists. Thus, BBM promotes the careers of young scientists by providing trainees and junior scientists a chance to hone their presentation skills and network with colleagues, potential future advisors, and/or employers. Participants at BBM have expertise in disparate research fields within basic systems, environmental, industrial, computational, and medical bacteriology, and presentations at BBM reflect this scientific diversity. Unlike more topically focused conferences, BBM allows participants to hear about and discuss a wide variety of discoveries and methods that may be unfamiliar but which all relate to the common theme of increasing our understanding of bacteria. This feature, along with the geographical proximity of most participants of BBM, enables the transfer of ideas, technology, and new discoveries between these groups. To facilitate collaboration and building professional relationships, BBM includes multiple sessions for free discussion as well as several opportunities for structured networking. BBM will achieve its aims by continuing to cultivate a vibrant community of New England bacteriologists. The meeting presents a broad range of topics and a format that encourages interaction among participants. For many young researchers for whom attendance at major international meetings may not be financially feasible, BBM is a vital opportunity to practice scientific communication and to be exposed to the rich bacteriological research community that the conference draws upon. The emphasis on communication and interaction within the broad scope of bacteriology is a major strength of the meeting. Overall, BBM has and continues to advance research in basic, applied, and clinical microbiology, and furthers the professional development of attendees.