Fungal Pathogens: Emerging Threats and Future Challenges
Jan 12–15, 2026 | Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers:
Scott G Filler, Rebecca Drummond, and Iliyan D Iliev
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Jan 12–15, 2026 | Beaver Run Conference Center, Breckenridge, CO, United States
Scientific Organizers: Scott G Filler, Rebecca Drummond, and Iliyan D Iliev
Scott G Filler, MD
Lundquist Institute
Scott G. Filler, M.D., is a physician-scientist and Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He discovered the first known invasins of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. He helped develop the C. albicans Als3 invasin into an antifungal vaccine that was found in a clinical trial to be efficacious in preventing recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis in women. As a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Candidiasis Treatment Guidelines Committee, he helped develop the guidelines for the management of patients with invasive candidiasis and mucosal candidiasis treatment. He has been involved in organizing multiple conferences on candidal infections.
Rebecca Drummond, PhD
University of Birmingham
Rebecca Drummond, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Immunology & Immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham (UK). Her research focuses on organ-specific immune responses to pathogenic fungi, with a particular focus on the brain. She has published multiple new insights into the role of immune cells in the control of brain yeast infections and the pathogenesis of human CARD9 deficiency. Dr. Drummond has significant experience in the management and organization of conferences including as Chair of the 2019 GRS Immunology of Fungal Infections, as vice-chair of the 2025 GRC Immunology of Fungal Infections and was elected as chair of the 2027 meeting.
Iliyan D Iliev, PhD
Weill-Cornell Medical College
Iliyan D. Iliev, Ph.D., is an immunologist and Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University. His work on the mycobiome and interactions of fungal commensals with mucosal immunity uncovered a role of fungi in diseases of non-infectious origin such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and GI cancers. He has pioneered and helped fundraise for the local chapter of mucosal immunology meetings—an international initiative supporting junior and underrepresented scientists. As a chair at the American Association of Gastroenterology Meeting and while on the board of the Society for Mucosal Immunology, he has regularly organized sessions at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) congress.
Available Formats:
Supported by the Directors' Fund
Livestream
In Person
On Demand
***Meeting program subject to change.
Available Formats: = Livestream = In Person = On DemandMonday, January 12, 2026
Fundraising
Booking Function
Merchandise Options
Registration Options
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Welcome Remarks
8:00–8:10 AM
Peak 4-5
Keynote Address
8:10–9:00 AM
Peak 4-5
Anita Sil, University of California, San Francisco
Regulation of Coccidioides Virulence
Regulation of Coccidioides Virulence
Infections Caused by Airborne Fungal Pathogens
9:00–11:15 PM
Peak 4-5
* Vincent M Bruno, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Session Chair
Session Chair
Scott G Filler, Lundquist Institute
Regulation of A. Fumigatus Virulence
Regulation of A. Fumigatus Virulence
Georgios Chamilos, University of Crete
Metabolic Interplay between Macrophages and Rhizopus
Metabolic Interplay between Macrophages and Rhizopus
Bruce Klein, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans and White-Nose Syndrome of Bats
Pseudogymnoascus Destructans and White-Nose Syndrome of Bats
Yao Yu, MSKCC
Short Talk: Lymphocyte- and GM-CSF-mediated Host Defense in Central Nervous System (CNS) Aspergillus Infection
Short Talk: Lymphocyte- and GM-CSF-mediated Host Defense in Central Nervous System (CNS) Aspergillus Infection
Coffee Break
9:30–9:50 AM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Poster Setup
11:15–1:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
On Own for Lunch
11:15–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Symposia Spotlight 1
2:30–4:30 PM
Peak 4-5
* Kristie Goughenour, University of Michigan/Ann Arbor VA
Session Chair
Session Chair
Patricia P Peterson, Duke University Medical Center
How the STRIPAK Complex Coordinates Genome Stability, Host Adaptation, and Virulence in Cryptococcus
How the STRIPAK Complex Coordinates Genome Stability, Host Adaptation, and Virulence in Cryptococcus
Shirli Cohen, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Candida albicans Promotes Group B Streptococcal Vaginal Persistence and Pathogenesis
Candida albicans Promotes Group B Streptococcal Vaginal Persistence and Pathogenesis
Greg Whitehill, UCLA
Checkpoint Blockade Augments Coccidioides-Specific T Cell Responses
Checkpoint Blockade Augments Coccidioides-Specific T Cell Responses
Xin Li, UT Southwestern Medical Center
An Unexpected Fungal RNA Signal in Immunity
An Unexpected Fungal RNA Signal in Immunity
Zanetta Chang, Washington University in St. Louis
Elucidating Dissemination of the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans Through Genetic Barcoding
Elucidating Dissemination of the Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans Through Genetic Barcoding
Martinna Bertolini, University of Pittsburgh
Candida Albicans Infection Triggers Progressive Remodeling of the Oral Epithelial Landscape
Candida Albicans Infection Triggers Progressive Remodeling of the Oral Epithelial Landscape
Olivia W Hepworth, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Selective Inhibition of Lung Epithelial Chemokine Secretion by Coccidioides posadasii Spherules
Selective Inhibition of Lung Epithelial Chemokine Secretion by Coccidioides posadasii Spherules
Dominik Awad, University of Michigan
Mycobiome-Derived Metabolites Impact the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment
Mycobiome-Derived Metabolites Impact the Pancreatic Tumor Microenvironment
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Fungal Commensalism and Pathogenesis: Consequences for the Host
5:00–7:00 PM
Peak 4-5
* Kyla Ost, University of Colorado AMC
Session Chair
Session Chair
Iliyan D Iliev, Weill-Cornell Medical College
Transkingdom Bacterial-Fungal Crosstalk in Modulation of Intestinal Inflammation
Transkingdom Bacterial-Fungal Crosstalk in Modulation of Intestinal Inflammation
Petra Bacher, University Kiel
T Cell-Mediated Immunity to Fungi in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Candida Albicans and Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
T Cell-Mediated Immunity to Fungi in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Candida Albicans and Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Julie Segre, NIH/NHGRI
Human Skin Mycobiome
Human Skin Mycobiome
Hongyu Wu, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Short Talk: Fungal Secreted Asparaginase Drives Intestinal Tuft Cell Expansion
Short Talk: Fungal Secreted Asparaginase Drives Intestinal Tuft Cell Expansion
Animesh Anand Mishra, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Short Talk: Metabolite–Carbon Source Interactions Regulate Candida Albicans Growth and Gastrointestinal Colonization
Short Talk: Metabolite–Carbon Source Interactions Regulate Candida Albicans Growth and Gastrointestinal Colonization
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Poster Session 1
7:30–10:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Keynote Address
8:00–8:45 AM
Peak 4-5
Gordon D. Brown, University of Exeter
C-Type Lectins – New Insights into Their Roles in Antimicrobial Immunity
C-Type Lectins – New Insights into Their Roles in Antimicrobial Immunity
Fungal Infections of the Brain
8:45–11:00 AM
Peak 4-5
Rebecca Drummond, University of Birmingham
Heterogeneity of Fungal and Host Responses in the Brain
Heterogeneity of Fungal and Host Responses in the Brain
Sarah Beattie, University of Iowa
Elucidating Mechanisms of A. Fumigatus Cerebral Pathogenesis
Elucidating Mechanisms of A. Fumigatus Cerebral Pathogenesis
Angie Gelli, University of California, Davis
Mechanisms of CNS Invasion by Cryptococcus
Mechanisms of CNS Invasion by Cryptococcus
Michal A Olszewski, VA Medical Center & University of Michigan
Short Talk: Immunoregulatory Network Offsetting Inflammatory Damage in Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis
Short Talk: Immunoregulatory Network Offsetting Inflammatory Damage in Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis
Coffee Break
9:15–9:35 AM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Award Recipient Acknowledgement
9:35–9:40 AM
Peak 4-5
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
On Own for Lunch
11:00–3:00 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Career Roundtable
3:00–4:30 PM
Peak 4-5
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Fungal Colonization and Immunity of the Skin and Mucosa
5:00–7:00 PM
Peak 4-5
* Brian M Peters, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Session Chair
Session Chair
Mark Gresnigt, Leibniz-HKI
Deciphering the Dysregulated Inflammatory Responses of (Recurrent) Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Deciphering the Dysregulated Inflammatory Responses of (Recurrent) Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Daniel H Kaplan, University of Pittsburgh
Cutaneous Nonpeptidergic Neurons Sense Extracellular ATP to Augment Barrier Repair and C. Albicanshost Defense
Cutaneous Nonpeptidergic Neurons Sense Extracellular ATP to Augment Barrier Repair and C. Albicanshost Defense
Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann, University of Zürich
Cutaneous Control of Malassezia
Cutaneous Control of Malassezia
Jian Miao, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Short Talk: Early-life Fungal Colonization Reveals Stage-specific Immune Regulation in the Oral Mucosa
Short Talk: Early-life Fungal Colonization Reveals Stage-specific Immune Regulation in the Oral Mucosa
Owen Jensen, University of Colorado Anschutz
Short Talk: Complement Regulation of Candida albicans in the Gut during Homeostasis and Inflammation.
Short Talk: Complement Regulation of Candida albicans in the Gut during Homeostasis and Inflammation.
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Poster Session 2
7:30–10:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Breakfast
7:00–8:00 AM
Summit Gallery
Keynote Address
8:00–8:45 AM
Peak 4-5
Mihai G. Netea, Radboud University
Trained Immunity: From Bench to Bedside
Trained Immunity: From Bench to Bedside
Fungal Recognition and Antifungal Immunity
8:45–11:00 AM
Peak 4-5
* Jatin Vyas, Columbia University
Session Chair
Session Chair
Jay K Kolls, Tulane School of Medicine
Immunity to Pneumocystis
Immunity to Pneumocystis
Amariliz Rivera-Medina, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Innate Immune Response to Aspergillus Fumigatus
Innate Immune Response to Aspergillus Fumigatus
Sarah L Gaffen, University of Pittsburgh
Type 17 Cell Cytokine Signaling and Coordination of Mucosal Fungal Immunity
Type 17 Cell Cytokine Signaling and Coordination of Mucosal Fungal Immunity
Michael J Boucher, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health
Short Talk: Phenotypic Landscape of an Invasive Fungal Pathogen Reveals Its Unique Biology
Short Talk: Phenotypic Landscape of an Invasive Fungal Pathogen Reveals Its Unique Biology
Coffee Break
9:15–9:35 AM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
On Own for Lunch
11:00–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2: Panel of Program Officers
2:30–3:30 PM
Peak 4-5
* Rebecca Drummond, University of Birmingham
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Iliyan D Iliev, Weill-Cornell Medical College
Session Chair
Session Chair
Symposia Spotlight 3: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
3:30–4:30 PM
Peak 4-5
* Kirsten Nielsen, Virginia Tech
Session Chair
Session Chair
* Bing Zhai, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology
Session Chair
Session Chair
Katherine Doss, Dartmouth College
Short Talk: Surprising Strain-Specific Molecular Determinants of Aspergillus Fumigatus Pathogenicity Revealed by New Cancer Small Molecule Therapies
Short Talk: Surprising Strain-Specific Molecular Determinants of Aspergillus Fumigatus Pathogenicity Revealed by New Cancer Small Molecule Therapies
Darin Wiesner, Rutgers - New Jersey Medical School
Short Talk: Early Spatial Dynamics of Neutrophil Recruitment in Lung Barrier Immunity to Coccidioides Infection
Short Talk: Early Spatial Dynamics of Neutrophil Recruitment in Lung Barrier Immunity to Coccidioides Infection
Jazmin Reyes Servin, UC Merced
Interferon (IFN) beta Mediates Differential Type I IFN Signaling Regulation of Clearance and Damage During Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) Infection
Interferon (IFN) beta Mediates Differential Type I IFN Signaling Regulation of Clearance and Damage During Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) Infection
Hannah Brown †, Massachusetts General Hospital
Human Brain Organoids: A New Model to Study Cryptococcus neoformans Neurotropism
Human Brain Organoids: A New Model to Study Cryptococcus neoformans Neurotropism
Lucas dos Santos Dias, NIAID/NIH
CXCR3 Promotes T cell Recruitment and IFN-γ production and Drives Mucosal Candidiasis in Aire-Deficient Mice
CXCR3 Promotes T cell Recruitment and IFN-γ production and Drives Mucosal Candidiasis in Aire-Deficient Mice
Amy L Seufert, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
T Cell-intrinsic Nod2 Regulation of Anti-fungal IL-17A and IL-17F
T Cell-intrinsic Nod2 Regulation of Anti-fungal IL-17A and IL-17F
Jonah Propp †, University of Iowa
Discovery and Structural Insight into Novel Acetyl-CoA Synthetase Inhibitors for Antifungal Development
Discovery and Structural Insight into Novel Acetyl-CoA Synthetase Inhibitors for Antifungal Development
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Colorado Ballroom Foyer
Challenges and Opportunities in Translational and Clinical Mycology
5:00–6:45 PM
Peak 4-5
* Michail S Lionakis, NIAID, NIH
Session Chair
Session Chair
David Andes, University of Wisconsin
New Antifungal Drugs
New Antifungal Drugs
Kieren Marr, Elion Therapeutics
Challenges of Antifungal Drug Development
Challenges of Antifungal Drug Development
Marie-Claire Arrieta, University of Calgary
The Early-Life Mycobiome in Immune and Metabolic Development
The Early-Life Mycobiome in Immune and Metabolic Development
Bing Zhai, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology
Short Talk: Quantitative Dynamics of the Vaginal Mycobiome in Pregnancy
Short Talk: Quantitative Dynamics of the Vaginal Mycobiome in Pregnancy
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
6:45–7:00 PM
Peak 4-5
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Entertainment
8:00–9:00 PM
Peak 4-5
Cash Bar
8:00–9:00 PM
Peaks 1 - 3
Friday, January 16, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM
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