2026 Semiannual Meeting
Connecting Science and Industry: The Role of Microbiology in Pharma and Food
2026
Semiannual Meeting
April 18, 2026 | 8:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
Amphitheater I of the Guillermo Arbona Building (3rd floor) at the University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus
We are pleased to announce our half-day event Connecting Science and Industry: The Role of Microbiology in Pharma and Food, which will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the amphitheater I of the University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus at San Juan, Puerto Rico from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event aims to connect science with industry, highlighting the fundamental role of microbiology in the pharmaceutical and food sectors, as well as fostering dialogue among academia, industry, and future professionals in the field.
Registration is close for the 2026 Semiannual Meeting!
Our Keynote Speakers
AMGEN INC. | PROCESS DEVELOPMENT SENIOR SCIENTIST
Nicole Marzán Rivera, Ph.D.
How does a cell become medicine? Dr. Marzán Rivera will give a brief look into the biotechnological journey that links cell culture to the production of therapies, illustrating how cell biology is seamlessly integrated into manufacturing to deliver effective treatments to patients.
UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO-MAYAGÜEZ CAMPUS | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Yadira Malavez Acevedo, Ph.D.
Dr. Malavez-Acevedo’s talk will explore how antimicrobial resistance spreads across the food chain, livestock, wildlife, and clinical settings, representing a growing threat to public health. She will cover present research focused on pathogen detection and genomic analyses of antimicrobial resistance in retail meats, dairy cattle, and snakes. These studies illustrate how different reservoirs contribute to the maintenance and dissemination of resistant bacteria in the environment, as well as their potential transmission to humans. Using an integrated approach, this work highlights real-world risks and the urgent need for surveillance and mitigation strategies within the One Health framework.
Microbiology at the Artisanal Production–Industry Interface: Food Safety, Quality, and Innovation Panel
A multidisciplinary panel of pharmaceutical quality professionals, scientists, and artisan milk and cheese producers, along with quality directors, will convene to discuss the intricate connections among food safety, product quality, and innovation.
Meet the Expert Panel
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Wanda Otero Flores, BSc
Veterinary Technologist | Owner and Founder of Vaca Negra, LLC
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Milissa Santiago-Correa, MSc
Director of Quality Control | El Mesón Microbiology Testing Center
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Orlando Ramírez Ortiz, MSc
Sr. Quality System Manager | Medtronic MiniMed Diabetes
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Adolfo Plazaola, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist | Eli Lilly Caribe
Registration Prices
Registration Prices
Registration is close for the 2026 Semiannual Meeting!
Sponsors
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Acknowledgements
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Acknowledgements *
