This year at our Spring Faculty Meeting, several colleagues advancing research — whether basic, population, or clinical — were recognized for their outstanding achievements.
It’s inspiring to see our collective efforts making an impact on colleagues, clinicians, and the public.
Spring Vidal Lab dinner celebrating family, life, and, of course, science.
Delighted to contribute to this @ASMicrobiology (IAI) review led by Dr. Rada (UGA) on HOSCN-based therapeutics—harnessing a natural lung microbicidal pathway for rapid, resistance-refractory control of pneumococcal disease. A field his lab helped pioneer.
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...
We recently participated in the GRC on the Biology of Acute Respiratory Infections; an outstanding meeting with amazing colleagues and friends!
Delighted to be involved with the newly established #ASM Student Chapter at USM. From engaging with investigators and coordinating events to hosting, organizing, learning, and networking, this program offers outstanding opportunities for the trainees involved.
The Vidal Lab will present its research at the Gordon Research Conference on the Biology of Acute Respiratory Infection—great to reconnect with friends, colleagues, and grow our network!
I was grateful to spend the day with the Department of Pathobiology at LSU in Baton Rouge. I’m deeply appreciative of the warm welcome, the engaging colleagues, and the exciting research happening there. I look forward to following up on the opportunities we discussed.
I’m excited to share that I have been elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology, Class of 2026! Such an honor; I look forward to working alongside my fellow colleagues to advance microbial science for the benefit of society: asm.org/press-releas...
#AcademyFellow #Microbiology
Join the pneumococcal community at #ISPPD14! The meeting promises to be outstanding, with a highlight being the session on Pneumococcal Immunity and Host Defense. You won’t want to miss it!
Congratulations to Dr. David Brown on his retirement after an outstanding 40-year career in Cell & Molecular Biology! Working next door to David for a few years was truly a gift. A wonderful colleague, microscopy mentor, and lab neighbor. Privileged to learn from him at UMMC.
Congratulations to CIMR members Dr. Brigitte Martin (CMB) and Dr. Poonam Sharma Sontakke (Pathology) on receiving the 2026 Peggy Cotter Award from @asm.org ! A first for @University of Mississippi Medical Center faculty—this prestigious award honors outstanding early-career scientists #ASMicrobe
Excited to be part of #ASMicrobe2026 in DC! Looking forward to learning, exchanging ideas, and sharing our studies with colleagues @asm.org
Great discussion with Drs. Gailen Marshall, Savannah Duckworth, and Ashish Gummadi on translational pneumonia research—bridging clinical insight and basic science to advance patient care and push discovery toward real-world impact at UMMC
First lab meeting of 2026 featured Dr. Ken Takeshita’s talk practice.
Ken, a postdoc in our lab, is heading to Tokyo next week to mentor young investigators through the NIH–AMED (USA–Japan) Cooperative Medical Science Program. He’ll give both a scientific talk and a motivational lecture
Happy New 2026 from the Vidal Research Laboratory!
This time around, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the incredible group of postdoctoral fellows, sabbatical scholars, and visiting scientists, who have shaped the Vidal Lab.
Wishing you all a joyful start to the new year.
A great way to begin 2026: spending time with friends, and mentors, from CDC (Lesley McGee), Emory (June Scott), and Georgia State Zehava Eichenbaum).
#ABRCMS2025 and providing training to the NIH K99/R00–ASM MOSAIC awardees!
Being able to support and mentoring the next generation of STEM professionals is truly inspiring, especially during these challenging times.
Thrilled to launch the new ASM Student Chapter at Nicholls State University! With microbial threats on the rise, we need more engaged, well-trained young scientists—and these microbiology students are outstanding.
Thanks to ASM South Central Branch for their generous support in making this possible!
Excited to share that I’ve accepted the role of Associate Director [upcoming Director (2026)] at UMMC’s Center for Immunology and Microbial Research (CIMR). Mission: drive research and innovation in Mississippi and beyond to combat infectious diseases, immune disorders, and antimicrobial resistance
What a wonderful surprise visit today from former Mississippi INBRE student—and now medical student—Perriann Smith! It was such a pleasure to see her during her very first week of medical school and to reflect on how far she’s come since her time in the lab.
The ASM South Central Branch Meeting is coming this November to Mississippi State University, hosted by Dr. Justin Thornton & colleagues.
A great chance to connect with investigators from MS, AR, & LA; share your research; and enjoy time with colleagues.
Registration opens soon
🔗 lnkd.in/gC5gXWcX
Outstanding seminar today by Dr. Monica Gestal from M&I @LSU_Shreveport on the pivotal role of eosinophils in Bordetella infections. Grateful to Dr. Bengtén, Director of @UMMCnews CIMR, and Dr. Garrett chair of the CMB Department for helping make this engaging event possible
The end of the beginning. As the SURE program wraps up, we’re filled with gratitude for the passion, dedication, and brilliance of these young scholars—the future of science and medicine in Mississippi. @UMMCnews #FutureScientists #SUREProgram #UMMC
Proud of young Pat Vidal, who’s practicing his talk before his practice talk! Dedication, preparation, and a full passport to Nerd Country.
Excited to welcome Dr. Monica Cartelle Gestal next week for a seminar on Bordetella infection and the key role of eosinophils! Thanks to Dr. Eva Bengten, Director of the Center for Immunology and Microbial Research and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, UMMC, for organizing this great event!
Heme-mediated selection of encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae in the lungs by oxidative stress www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Endless thanks to our incredible research team—from mentorship to groundbreaking discoveries. Today, MSRP fellow Daniel Kerr (UMMC) under the outstanding guidance of Dr. Kenichi Takeshita, presented exciting summer data identifying a novel, targetable pathway to reduce pneumococcal colonization.
A wonderful week of science at the @GordonConf on Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction; presenting our research, learning, and connecting with colleagues and trainees!
As summer research programs wind down at UMMC, we’re celebrating the incredible work of our trainees from across the Central South. From uncovering how pneumococci colonize the airway to breakthroughs in cancer biology—thank you. The future of science is bright. 🌟🧬