Microbes Without Borders Conference May 11, 2026 USF St. Petersburg

The St. Petersburg World Affairs Council (SPWAC) and the Global Virus Network (GVN) present a half-day conference “MICROBES WITHOUT BORDERS” on Monday, May 11, 2026 starting at 8:30 am at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus Student Center.

This half-day conference will hear from internationally-renowned experts and take a deep dive into microbes impact on health and society.

The keynote speaker at 8:30 am will be Dr. Robert Gallo, co-founder of the GVN and Director of the USF Health Virology Center. Dr. Gallo has pioneered research on the role of viruses in human cancers and in 1984, co-discovered that HIV causes AIDS. His keynote address will focus on the critical importance of microbes to human health.

At 9:45 am a panel of global medical researchers and practitioners will focus on “Pandemics – Threats, Costs and Responses.” Some pathogenic microbes, including viruses and bacteria, can cause pandemics. These outbreaks of infectious diseases can spread rapidly over broad geographic areas and across international borders and can lead to large scale deaths, devastate economies and threaten global security. The panel will look at how policymakers can mitigate risks or prepare for their impact. Panelists include: Dr. Amber Mehmood, Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Dr. Sten Vermund; moderated by Dr. J. Zach Porterfield

A second panel will convene at 11 am “Microbiomes and Their Impact on Cancer and Infection.” Panelists include Dr. Hariom Yadav and Dr. Christian Brechot.

There will be a networking Luncheon following the second panel for participants and ticket holders.

The general public, medical professionals, students and policy makers are invited. Register on the St. Petersburg World Affairs Council website at www.SPWAC.com. Tickets are $30 for SPWAC members, $40 for general admission and free to students and faculty with ID.

The USF Student Center is located at 200 Sixth Avenue South in St. Petersburg, Florida.

MICROBES WITHOUT BORDERS

MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
ST. PETERSBURG CAMPUS
STUDENT CENTER BALLROOM

8:30 Keynote: Dr. Robert Gallo co-founder of the GVN, Director of USF Health Virology Center

9:45 Panel 1: Pandemics – Threats, Costs and Responses
Participants: Dr. Amber Mehmood, Dr. J. Zach Porterfield, Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Dr. Sten Vermund

11:00 Panel 2: Microbiomes and Their Impacts on Cancer and Infection
Participants include: Dr. Christian Brechot, Dr. Hariom Yadav

12:15 Networking Luncheon

Tickets and Registration: www.SPWAC.com

Other possible headlines for Release:

MICROBES WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED

HOW MICROBES IMPACT YOUR HEALTH, THE GLOBAL ECONOMY AND SECURITY

EXPERTS TO SHARE INSIGHT AT MICROBES WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE

(LOGO/LETTERHEAD)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 6, 2026

SMALL MICROBES CAN RESULT IN BIG IMPACTS

The St. Petersburg World Affairs Council (SPWAC) and the Global Virus Network (GVN) present a half-day conference “MICROBES WITHOUT BORDERS” on Monday, May 11, 2026 starting at 8:30 am at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg Campus Student Center.

The outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic made everyone aware of the devastating impact pathogens have on personal health, the global economy and security. This half-day conference will hear from internationally renowned experts and take a deep dive into microbes impact on health and society.

The keynote speaker at 8:30 am will be Dr. Robert Gallo, co-founder of the GVN and Director of the USF Health Virology Center. Dr. Gallo has pioneered research on the role of viruses in human cancers and in 1984, co-discovered that HIV causes AIDS. His keynote address will focus on the critical importance of microbes to human health.

At 9:45 am a panel of global medical researchers and practitioners will focus on “Pandemics – Threats, Costs and Responses.” Some pathogenic microbes, including viruses and bacteria, can cause pandemics. These outbreaks of infectious diseases can spread rapidly over broad geographic areas and across international borders and can lead to large scale deaths, devastate economies and threaten global security. The panel will look at how policymakers can mitigate risks and prepare for their impact. Panelists include: Dr. Amber Mehmood, Dr. J. Zach Porterfield, Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Dr. Sten Vermund

A second panel will convene at 11 am “Microbiomes and Their Impact on Cancer and Infection.” Panelists include: Dr. Christian Brechot, Dr. Hariom Yadav

There will be a networking Luncheon following the second panel for participants and ticket holders.

The general public, medical professionals, students and policy makers are invited. Register on the St. Petersburg World Affairs Council website at www.SPWAC.org. Tickets are $30 for SPWAC members, $40 for general admission and free to students and faculty with ID.

The USF Student Center is located at 200 Sixth Avenue South in St. Petersburg, Florida.

MICROBES WITHOUT BORDERS CONFERENCE
MONDAY, MAY 11, 2026
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
ST. PETERSBURG CAMPUS
STUDENT CENTER BALLROOM

8:30 Keynote: Dr. Robert Gallo co-founder of the GVN, Director of USF Health Virology Center

9:45 Panel 1: Pandemics – Threats, Costs and Responses
Participants: Dr. Amber Mehmood, Dr. J. Zach Porterfield, Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Dr. Sten Vermund

11:00 Panel 2: Microbiomes and Their Impacts on Cancer and Infection
Participants include: Dr. Christian Brechot, Dr. Hariom Yadav

12:15 Networking Luncheon

Tickets and Registration: www.SPWAC.org