Spring 2025 Microbiology Seminar Series

DATE	SPEAKER	INSTITUTE	SEMINAR TITLE
March 10	Irene Newton	Indiana University	“Friends with benefits: mutualisms in the honey bee microbiome”
March 24*	Eric Ransom	Case Western University	TBD *This seminar will be held at 12:00pm, location TBD
March 24	Gina Lewin	Case Western University	“Microbial interactions in the oral microbiome: the role of taxonomic and functional diversity”
March 31	Trevor Tuma	University of Georgia	“Is mentoring a panacea? Understanding potential consequences of negative mentoring relationships”
April 7	Erica Majumnder	University of Wisconsin	“Microbial ecology guided resource recovery from landfills”
April 14	Mary O’Riordan	University of Michigan	TBD
April 21	Sarah Shelby	University of Tennessee	“Lipid phases and signaling domains in immunoreceptor activation”
April 28	John Purdy	University of Arizona	“Feeding Infection: Metabolic Reprogramming by Human Cytomegalovirus”
May 5	Daria Van Tyne	University of Pittsburgh	“Functional genomics and phage therapy for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.”

Code of Conduct for UTK Microbiology Seminars and Colloquia

The Department of Microbiology encourages the open exchange of scientific ideas. Seminars are a forum for the speaker to present their ideas and to allow attendees to learn through engaged listening and questioning. We want our seminars and colloquiums to be an inclusive environment in which all participants feel that their presence is welcome and their contributions valued. Thus, by joining Department-hosted colloquia and seminars, we expect participants to adhere to the following code of conduct:

• All attendees will behave professionally, treating speakers and other attendees respectfully (demonstrating the understanding that the event is important; to be polite or honor someone) and considerately (in a way that shows that you are always thinking of other people’s wishes and feelings). Professional conduct includes thoughtful appreciation of the ways in which power and status affect how people express themselves and how they interpret what is said. This is especially important to consider when speakers are job candidates, trainees, students. Professional conduct also includes punctual arrival and respect for the speaker by eliminating distractions, such as limiting active use of laptops, tablets or phones except for activities related to presentation (i.e., taking notes or providing electronic feedback).

• Constructive interaction between the speaker and the audience is expected. Speakers should try to present their material in an understandable way, taking into account the diverse levels of expertise in the audience. All audience members are encouraged to respectfully ask constructive questions that lead to a broader and deeper understanding of the speaker’s points or help the audience member clarify concepts or points of confusion. Difficult and probing questions that require critical thinking by both the speaker and audience are encouraged and are, in part, why scientists present their work in seminars and colloquiums. This code of conduct simply asks that you posit your questions in a respectful manner.
• Persistent questioning or dialog limits others from participating and should not be pursued during the talk. If an attendee is not satisfied with the speaker’s response to their question or comment, or the question requires a more complex response, then they should reserve follow-up for later discussion to allow the speaker to present their ideas and for other attendees to contribute questions or comments.
• Discussion between attendees during a seminar should be kept to a minimum. This includes side discussions between two people in the audience, as even whispered exchanges can be loud enough to distract nearby participants. The seminar is primarily a vehicle for the speaker to communicate with the audience.
• Intimidation of any participant (speaker or audience member) through inappropriate, aggressive, confrontational, or derogatory (showing a disrespectful attitude) comments or questions is not acceptable, even if you disagree with the points being made by the other person.
• The host of the seminar speaker is formally in charge of the seminar. This includes reminding audience members of the department’s expectations concerning their conduct. However, all participants present should be mindful of this code of conduct and should help to ensure that it is followed.

This code does not supersede UT Student or Faculty Codes of Conduct