Seth R. Bordenstein

The influences of microbes on our lives and biosphere have never been more evident to humanity than right now. Pandemic threats, health disparities, vector-borne diseases, and increasing threats to planetary biodiversity are clear and present risks. As we look to the future for rapid and sustainable solutions to 21st century challenges, the keys to unlocking a new set of solutions and a fresh awareness of the depths of planetary life rest in the microscopic realm. The microbiome revolution is underway, and it has been in motion since life arose some four billion years ago. The past similarly has profound implications for everything from life’s origins and major transitions to the sources of evolutionary novelty and the roots of our own species.

At a pivotal moment in our quest to understand life (including our own species) and solve sustainable challenges, Dr. Bordenstein will engage general audiences in the wonders of microbiome science, ignite their curiosity, and spark critical conversations about the philosophical dimensions and practical applications of the Microbiome Revolution. He will also speak directly to educators and scientists about the relevance and impact of studying and engineering microbiomes to curb vector-borne diseases, prioritize human diversity in clinical microbiome studies, educate the next generation of teachers and students, and enhance several tenets of modern biology.