CAFPA & ASM D.C. Branch
Fall Meeting 2026
Microbes on the Menu: Detection, Response, and Resilience
October 23, 2026 I 10 AM - 4 PM
Howard University
Washington, D.C.
Join DC area microbial scientists (professionals and students) for an exciting meeting of science and networking!!
This year's fall meeting is a one day symposium highlighting cutting edge research as well as providing opportunities for networking and outreach. We are holding the meeting at Howard University. Lunch will be served.
Our Program includes invited and submitted presentations.
Keynote Speakers (Invited)
Longer Talks (12-15 min, Submitted)
Lightning Talks (3-5 min, Submitted)
Abstract Submissions
All are welcome to submit abstracts for talks. Students (Lightning) and early career scientists (Lightning or Longer) are highly encouraged to submit. Abstract (max. 250 words).
Submissions for talks are due October 5th at 11:59pm. Decisions will be emailed out October 12th. Submit your abstract to asm.dcbranch@gmail.com. Abstract guidelines can be found here.
Registration: $20-Professional, $15-Post-doc, $10-Student.
If you are unable to pay for any reason, please let us know (asm.dcbranch@gmail.com).
Registration closes on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
Location
Howard University Interdisciplinary Research Building
Multipurpose Room
2201 George Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20059
Accessible via Metro (Shaw-Howard University). There are several parking garages in the area.
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Kali Kniel
Professor, Microbial Food Safety, University of Delaware, Department of Animal and Food Sciences
Dr. Kalmia “Kali” Kniel is the Unidel S. Hallock du Pont Chair of Microbial Food Safety in the University of Delaware’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences and director of the Center for Environmental and Wastewater Epidemiological Research. Her research examines the environmental persistence and transmission of foodborne viruses, protozoa and pathogenic bacteria, with particular emphasis on preharvest produce safety, agricultural water and soil amendments. Dr. Kniel is also a past President of the International Association for Food Protection.
Dr. Manan Sharma
President, International Association for Food Protection, Former Research Microbiologist @ USDA
Dr. Manan Sharma is a food microbiologist and recognized leader in preharvest produce safety. During a 21-year career with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, he served as lead scientist and research microbiologist in the Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, studying the survival and persistence of enteric pathogens in soil amendments, irrigation water, and fruit and vegetable production environments. Dr. Sharma is the current President of the International Association for Food Protection and a past president of the Capitol Area Food Protection Association (CAFPA). He recently joined The Acheson Group as Senior Director for Produce and Food Safety.
Dr. Conrad Choiniere
Director, Office of Microbiological Food Safety @ FDA's Human Foods Program
Dr. Conrad Choiniere is the Director of the Office of Microbiological Food Safety at FDA’s Human Foods Program. He oversees regulatory policy for managing microbial risks in foods and developing strategies for the prevention of foodborne illness. He has been with the Agency for over twenty years working in a variety of roles, in both food safety and tobacco control, primarily focused on risk and decision analysis, social and behavioral sciences, and executive leadership. Conrad has a doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the Johns Hopkins University.
Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring the meeting? Want to have a table to advertise your organization?
Email: asm.dcbranch@gmail.com
© 2023 by ASM Washington D.C. Branch
Bacteria and viruses by DragonArtz - www.dragonartz.net used under CC BY. Recolored from original.
