The Spring 2017 SOMED Newsletter presents important Society updates, including the results of the February 2017 elections, a message from newly elected President Prof. Eugenia Bezirtzoglou, and information about the upcoming 39th SOMED Congress in Tokyo.
New SOMED Board – February 2017 Elections
The newsletter announces the results of the February 2017 SOMED elections. Approximately 75% of active members participated in the ballot.
The elected officers and councillors included:
- President: Eugenia Bezirtzoglou
- Secretary: Sandrine Claus
- Councillors: Luisa Vieira Peixe, Marie-Benedicte Romond and Veronica Lazar
The Society expressed its appreciation to members who had previously served SOMED, including Past President Prof. Elisa Bertazzoni-Minelli, and welcomed the newly elected Board.
Message from the President
In her message, Prof. Eugenia Bezirtzoglou reflected on SOMED’s history and development, from its origins in the 1970s as the Society for Intestinal Microbial Ecology and Disease (SIMED) to its later expansion into the broader field of microbial ecology and its adoption of the SOMED name.
She highlighted the importance of supporting young scientists, encouraging international participation, strengthening scientific communication and increasing the visibility and influence of the Society.
The President also identified improved communication, development of the Society’s website, stronger scientific events and greater international participation as important priorities for the new mandate.
39th SOMED Congress – Tokyo 2017
The newsletter provides details of the upcoming joint scientific meeting to be held at Tokyo Garden Palace, Ochanomizu, Japan, from 7–10 June 2017.
The event combined:
- the 19th International Symposium on Gnotobiology (XIX ISG);
- the 50th Congress of the Japanese Association of Germfree Life and Gnotobiology (L JAGG);
- the 39th Congress of the Society for Microbial Ecology and Disease (XXXIX SOMED).
The four-day scientific programme included symposia, seminars, free-paper sessions, poster presentations, board meetings and a general meeting.
Scientific Focus
The joint congress was designed to promote scientific exchange in gnotobiology, microbial ecology, microbiological research and clinical studies, with particular emphasis on understanding the relationship between microbial communities, health and disease.
The organisers described the meeting as an opportunity to exchange knowledge, strengthen international scientific connections and help translate research findings from basic science into clinical practice.
Read the Full Newsletter
The complete Spring 2017 SOMED Newsletter, including the President’s full message, election results, organising committees and detailed congress programme, is available in the original PDF.
