Dr. Katherine Amato, Professor at Northwestern University will give a lecture entitled "Why is Everyone so Excited About Microbiome Science?" 

Research over the past few decades
has revealed that the microbes in
and on animal bodies interact in
such important ways with our biology
that they can be considered a newly
discovered organ system. Microbes
contribute to the function of host metabolism, the immune system, and the nervous system and have been implicated in a range of diseases. Importantly, however, the microbial
community is developed early in life, and the types of microbes each individual has, and the functions they provide, can be influenced by
environmental factors such as diet, hygiene, and social networks.

This talk summarizes current knowledge of these dynamics and links it to current topics in health and biology,including health inequities.