Meet Fabian Rivera-Chavez of Harvard Medical School. The postdoctoral research fellow and John Mekalanos lab member returns to the CSHL campus for his second consecutive Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Response meeting.
What are your research interests? What are you working on?
I'm interested in understanding how bacterial pathogens use virulence factors to outcompete the resident bacteria in the intestine and transmit to a new host. I am currently studying the bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera.
Was there something specific about the Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Response meeting that drew you to apply?
This meeting is a great opportunity to hear about the latest cutting-edge research by some of the top scientists in the field. As a smaller-sized meeting, it is also a fantastic networking opportunity.
What is your key takeaway from the meeting?
Microbial pathogens have very clever strategies for evading (and sometimes even benefiting) from the host immune response.
How many CSHL meetings have you attended?
This is my second time at the Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Response meeting and I definitely plan to attend this meeting again in the future.
If someone curious in attending a future iteration of Microbial Pathogenesis & Host Response meeting asked you for feedback or advice on it, what would you tell him/her?
This is one of the top meetings in the field of microbial pathogenesis and is a great opportunity to present your research and connect with peers. These meaningful interactions often lead to lasting relationships that are instrumental to the development of your career. Make the most of the meeting and meet as many people as possible!
What do you like most about your time at CSHL?
I really enjoyed being surrounded by an enthusiastic and inspiring group of scientists in the beautiful CSHL campus.
Thank you to Fabian for being this week's featured visitor. To meet other featured scientists - and discover the wide range of science that takes part in a CSHL meeting or course – go here.