Talk
Antimicrobial Resistance Spread on Food Chain: A Focus on Food Production Environments

Bio
Dr. José F. Cobo-Díaz is Tenured Professor at the Department of Food Hygiene and Technology at University of Leon (Spain). He has developed his scientific and bioinformatic career since he made the PhD in the Spanish National Research Council, finalized at 2013. During last 6 years in Leon, he has become an expert on microbiome and AMR spread analysis on food industry environments using both genomic and metagenomic data. He has more than 50 scientific publications, including high quality journals such as Nature Microbiology, Nature Protocols, Microbiome and Cell, and more than 60 communications in National and International Congresses. Finally, he is also the co-director of 2 PhD students, he organizes a bioinformatic workshop (including genome and metagenome analysis) per year at the University of Leon, and he is co-IP of a project entitled “Unleashing Food Microbiome applications through cataloguing and mining unexplored biodiversity”.

Research Keywords
Microbiome; Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR); Food Chain; Food Industry Environments; Genomic Analysis; Metagenomic Analysis; Microbial Ecology; AMR Surveillance

Bio
Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo is a Senior Scientist at the Mycology Reference Laboratory of Spain. She serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Joint Program Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) and is the President of the Spanish Society for Mycology (AEM), representing Spain on the European Confederation of Medical Mycology Council. She chaired the technical expert group responsible for developing the first Fungal Priority Pathogens List, published by WHO in 2022. Ana led the Fungal Infection Study Group (EFISG) of ESCMID until May 2024 and directed the Latin American programs for GAFFI until 2023. She is a fellow of both ESCMID and ECMM. Her primary research interests include public health mycology, diagnostics, epidemiology, and antifungal resistance. She has authored over 180 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, including several guidelines for diagnosing and treating fungal infections. Ana also serves as an editor for Clinical Microbiology and Infection and the Journal of Fungi. She collaborates with international agencies such as the CDC, ECDC, and WHO, contributing to risk assessments, guideline development, and other projects related to public and global health.

Research Keywords
Public health mycology; Diagnostics, Epidemiology; Antifungal resistance.

Talk
Nanomedicine Strategies to Overcome Biofilm-Associated Antimicrobial Resistance

Bio
Dr. Anam Ahsan is a PhD candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of South Australia, specialising in lipid-based nanomedicine for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and biofilm-related infections. Her research focuses on the in vitro evaluation of liquid crystalline nanoparticles and enzyme–antibiotic combinations to disrupt bacterial biofilms and enhance antimicrobial efficacy. She also investigates biofilm-associated chronic wound models as part of a broader effort to develop translational nanotherapeutics for infection management. Dr. Ahsan holds a Pharm-D and M.Phil. in Pharmacology, a PhD in Veterinary Medicine, and has published extensively in drug delivery and infection therapeutics. She also serves as a Guest Editor for the MDPI Bioengineering Special Issue “Bioengineering Platforms for Drug Delivery.”

Research Keywords
Lipid-Based Nanomedicine; Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR); Biofilm-Related Infections; Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles; Enzyme–Antibiotic Combinations; Drug Delivery; Chronic Wound Models; Translational Nanotherapeutics

Talk
A One Health Framework for Tackling Antimycotic Resistance

Bio
Univ. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. rer. nat. Michaela Lackner is a globally recognized expert in Medical Mycology and a strong advocate for the One Health approach. As University Professor for Experimental Mycology and Deputy Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology at the Medical University of Innsbruck, she leads cutting-edge research on fungal pathogens, antifungal resistance, and improved diagnostics and therapies. Her work spans basic science to clinical implementation, aligned with the One Health mission to address health challenges at the human–animal–environment interface. Prof. Lackner has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications, including major diagnostic and treatment guidelines, and is a Fellow of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology ECMM). She coordinates the MYCOS PhD training program (mui-mycos.at), preparing future scientists in antimicrobial resistance and One Health. A major focus of her research addresses the Dual Usage of azoles in medicine and agriculture, a critical driver of antifungal resistance. She promotes cross-sector collaboration among scientists, policymakers, healthcare providers, and agricultural stakeholders to implement sustainable, evidence-based mitigation strategies. Additionally, she serves as chairwoman of the Gender and Equity Board (AKGl) at the Medical University of Innsbruck, promoting inclusive practices and equitable career advancement. As a recognized leader in antifungal resistance and One Health innovation, Prof. Lackner plays a vital role in shaping global strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Research Keywords
Antifungal Resistance; Medical Mycology; One Health; Fungal Pathogens; Azole Resistance; Diagnostics and Therapeutics; Environmental Mycology; Global Health

Talk
From Genes to Global Health: Why Basic Research Matters in the Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance

Bio
Dr. Elena Perrin graduated in 2009 in Cellular and Molecular biology at the University of Florence, where, in 2014, she obtained a doctorate in Genetic, Microbiology and Bioinformatic sciences. She is currently a researcher at Department of Biology of the University of Florence. Her primary research focus is microbial genetics, with particular interest in the evolution of bacterial genomes. Dr Perrin's work explores the development of antibiotic resistance, quorum sensing, and metabolic adaptation to environmental changes.