IMAV: International meeting on arboviruses and their vectors

The programme of invited keynote speakers for the meeting includes:

1. Luke Alphey – University of York, UK
2. Suzanne Kaptein – Rega Institute for Medical Research, Belgium
3. Stephen Higgs – Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, USA
4. Ashley St. John – Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
5. Lisa Baik – University of California, Davis, USA
6. Felix Drexler - Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany

Luke Alphey (University of York, UK)

Luke Alphey is Professor of Genetics in the Department of Biology of the University of York. Research in Luke’s lab focuses on applied insect synthetic biology, primarily engineering mosquitoes to control mosquito-borne diseases but also insects of agricultural and conservation/biodiversity interest, and farmed insects. He co-founded Oxitec Ltd, a spin-out company from Oxford University, in 2002; he was the research director from 2002 to 2014 then a non-executive director until successful sale to Intrexon for $160m in 2015. Oxitec aims to control insect pests by use of engineered sterile males of the pest insect species; at Oxitec Luke successfully led the world’s first releases of GM insects. Luke's earlier career focused on basic science, latterly at Oxford University. After 11 years at Oxitec, he moved to The Pirbright Institute in 2014 and to the University of York in 2022. Luke was selected as a Technology Pioneer of the World Economic Forum in 2008 and BBSRC Innovator of the Year 2014.

Stephen Higgs (Biosecurity Research Institute, Kansas State University, USA )

Dr. Stephen Higgs is the Associate Vice President for Research and the Director of the Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI) at Kansas State University.

Lisa Baik (University of California, Davis, USA)

I am a neurobiologist interested in studying the mechanism by which blood-feeding arthropods guide their complex behaviors. I am a new assistant professor at the University of California, Davis. My lab primarily focuses on the mosquito taste system, which is understudied. I completed my PhD with Dr. Todd Holmes at UC Irvine and my postdoctoral training with Dr. John Carlson at the Yale University. I've been funded by the NSF GRFP and the ARCS Foundation as a graduate student, followed by the NIH through the F32 and the K99/R00 Pathway to Independence awards as a postdoc. One of my proudest accomplishments is being awarded the Yale postdoc Mentoring Award in 2023 after being nominated by my mentees.

Felix Drexler (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany)

Prof. Dr. med. Jan Felix Drexler is Professor of Virus Epidemiology at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where he focuses on the epidemiology and evolution of emerging viruses. Prof. Drexler’s research integrates field studies, diagnostic development, and computational approaches to better understand emerging pathogens, with a particular emphasis on arboviruses and One Health concepts. He has published close to 300 scientific articles and serves on multiple editorial boards. His contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards, including the Memento Research Award (2023) and the Heine-Medin Medal (2013).

Suzanne Kaptein (Rega Institute for Medical Research, Belgium)

Suzanne Kaptein is a Senior Scientist at the KU Leuven Rega Institute’s Laboratory of Virology & Antiviral Research, headed by Professor Johan Neyts, where she leads antiviral drug discovery programs targeting orthoflaviviruses and hepatitis E virus. She has over 20 years of expertise in virology, molecular biology, and antiviral drug development, with a strong focus on dengue and Zika viruses. Her work includes coordinating complex research efforts, such as animal studies and high-throughput antiviral screening platforms.

Her research centers on developing broad-spectrum antiviral strategies and identifying novel druggable targets, particularly for orthoflaviviruses. She has played a key role in advancing ultrapotent dengue inhibitors through long-term collaborative projects with Johnson & Johnson and the Wellcome Trust, of which Mosnodenvir has successfully entered clinical trials. Additionally, she investigates Zika virus emergence and pathogenicity, including its effects on fetal development. Overall, her work combines drug discovery, experimental models, and virological insights to address emerging viral threats.

Registration for IMAV: International meeting on arboviruses and their vectors is now open.

Microbiology Society members get heavily subsidised registration fees for Annual Conference, Focused Meetings and other Society events – both online and in-person. Join now to enjoy these discounts and many other opportunities that are designed for microbiologists at all stages of their career.

All speakers and poster presenters will be attending in-person.

What's included in your registration fee?

Admission to break and lunchtime information and career development sessions

Full access to scientific poster sessions

Tea and coffee breaks, Lunch during the event period and Conference Dinner which will be held on one of the evenings.

Access to an online abstracts book

Certificate of Attendance (on request)

Access to CPD Points

Registration confirmation 

Upon registration, you should receive an automated confirmation email. Please contact [email protected] if, after 24 hours, this has not been received.

Payment information

All registration fees must be paid in full BEFORE arrival at the conference. Any outstanding registration fees must be paid before admittance will be granted to the conference.

Cancellations

Refunds are not provided. However, substitutions of attendees can be made at any time before the event by contacting [email protected].

Abstract submission for the IMAV: International meeting on arboviruses and their vectors conference have now closed. 

Both members and non-members of the Microbiology Society are welcome to submit an abstract for the meeting. All offered talks presentations and posters will be selected from the abstracts submitted. Once submissions are closed, they will be reviewed by the session organisers and submitters will be notified of the outcome afterwards. By submitting an abstract to this conference, you are indicating to the session organisers your commitment to attend the event.

Abstracts are welcome for any work relevant to arboviruses and their vectors, with a special emphasis on the following areas:

• Hosts & Vectors
• Control, Prevention & Treatment
• Ecology & Evolution

Abstract Guidance

Abstracts must be a maximum of 250 words. The Society has produced a guide to give delegates some tips on how to write a great abstract, which can be downloaded below:

 How to... write a great abstract

Please note that the abstract is the only information session organisers use when deciding whether to accept your work for presentation as an offered oral or poster. If accepted, it will also be published in the abstract book for the meeting – so think carefully about what needs to be included.

The meeting will take place at the following venue:

Hilton Liverpool City Centre

3 Thomas Steers Way

Liverpool, L1 8LW

GPS: 53.402722, -2.989053

View Map and Directions

The property is located in Liverpool City Centre within a 10-minute walk of the Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story, and Liverpool ONE.

Directions: 

Car Parking

The Hilton Liverpool City Centre has on-site parking. More information can be found on their website.

• Self-parking: £25.00 per day
• Valet parking: £45.00
• EV charging: Nearby, 2 kilometers
• Secured: Available
• Covered: Available
• In/Out privileges: Available

By Airport shuttle:

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Not available
• Manchester International Airport: Not available

By train:

James Street train station is within a 6-minute walking distance of the Hilton Liverpool City Centre.

Lime Street Train Station | Liverpool Rail House is within a 14-minute walking distance from the Hilton Liverpool City Centre.

By bus:

Liverpool One bus station is within a 2-minute walking distance from the Hilton Liverpool City Centre.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lplhihi-hilton-liverpool-city-centre/hotel-info/

Accessibility across the venue:

Accessible toilets are signposted as gender neutral and available for anyone requiring gender neutral facilities to use. We collect pronoun information during registration and all name badges either have pronouns printed on them, or a space to add these, should you wish to. Please do respect other delegates personal pronouns.

We will have sunflower lanyards available for attendees with hidden disabilities. If you would like one of these lanyards, please ask at the registration desk at any time during the Conference. Stocks will be limited, so please only request one if you consider yourself to have a hidden disability.

Please ensure you include your accessibility requirements during registration so that we can provide you with further details if applicable.

Dietary requirements: 

We work very closely with all our venue catering teams to ensure all dietary requirements can be provided for. Please ensure you include your dietary requirements during registration and please don’t hesitate to let us know, or speak to the venue catering staff, if you can’t see your requirement signposted during the event. 

Also, we recently took the decision to remove alcohol from all scientific sessions, including poster sessions, to ensure everyone can participate fully. However, alcohol will be served at the drink reception and conference dinner .

Visa and ETA Information:

Some international delegates may need either a UK visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK.

Requirements can vary depending on individual circumstances, including:

• nationality as shown on your passport
• reason for travel
• length of stay
• whether you are visiting or transiting through the UK
• current UK immigration status

We ask delegates to refer to the official UK government website to check their requirements before travelling to the UK.

The GOV.UK website includes the following links which may prove useful:

• Check if you need a UK visa
• Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK
• How to apply for a visa to come to the UK

Please check for travel requirements as soon as possible to allow enough time before travelling.

The Society cannot provide immigration advice, or confirm individual visa or ETA requirements. Delegates are responsible for checking and arranging their own travel permissions.

Applications deadlines for the Society Events Grant to support members attending IMAV: International meeting on arboviruses and their vectors are closed.

Grants will act as contribution towards registration, travel, and accommodation expenses only.

Eligibility requirements:

Eligible membership categories:

• Full Member
• Full Concessionary Member
• Postgraduate Student Members
• Undergraduate Student Members

Minimum membership period required:

A minimum membership period of one year and two consecutive membership payments is required. Postgraduate and Undergraduate with three year memberships will need to have completed one year memberships will need to have completed one year (three-year membership payment constitutes consecutive payment).

Please read all information carefully on the Society Events Grant page before submitting an application for funding. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this meeting.

Please download our exhibitor and sponsor pack to view our options. If you have any questions about the packages, please email [email protected].

Exhibitors

Microbiology Society

New England Biolabs

NCPV

Sponsors