The Center for Infectious Diseases Research Symposium: S. aureus Host–Microbe Interaction: Ecology, Disease, and Vaccine Development

Thursday, April 23, 2026, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM, Marlo Thomas Center Auditorium, Memphis, TN

The Center for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is hosting our annual CIDR Symposium. This event brings together scientists, clinicians, trainees, and staff from various disciplines with a shared interest in infection biology. 

CIDR employs a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to develop and deploy cutting-edge methods and resources, aimed at enhancing the understanding of infection biology and its application to relevant clinical challenges, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases.

Presented by Juliane Bubeck- Wardenburg, MD, PhD Professor of Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine, Donald B Strominger Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Division Chief, Division of Critical Care Medicine, and Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics at WashU Medicine. Introduction by Octavio Ramilo, MD Chair and Member, St. Jude Faculty with the Infectious Diseases department. 

This session will be held in person in the Marlo Thomas Center Auditorium; a Webex link will also be available.

Webex

https://stjude.webex.com/stjude/j.php?MTID=m67201face3a0fed051ac3673e9f52494

Webinar number: 2869 357 4578

Webinar password:  Grand1 (472631 when dialing from a phone or video system)

Join by phone: 1-877-668-4490 Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada)

1. Describe the ecological dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus colonization, with emphasis on pediatric and immunocompromised populations.
2. Explain the principal host immune pathways involved in defense against S. aureus, as well as the mechanisms by which the pathogen evades immune clearance.
3. Identify clinical risk factors and host determinants linked to invasive and recurrent S. aureus infections in pediatric patients.
4. Discuss emerging translational prevention strategies, including vaccine development, and their potential application in high-risk pediatric populations.
5. Evaluate how advances in host–microbe interaction research can inform infection prevention practices and the design of future clinical trials.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 1.00 CPE hours (0.1 CEU per 1 CPE hour).

Pharmacy continuing education credit will be available to all participants who attend, text attendance, and complete a program assessment and evaluation. Credits will be uploaded and viewable on-line at www.napb.net within approximately two weeks following the date of the presentation.  Participants should contact the CPE staff if credit does not appear within 4 weeks of a program.

 

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (1.00 hours)

The faculty for this activity are listed below. Click to view the faculty member's financial disclosure information and bio. 

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

St Jude Children's Research Hospital adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (ie, companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by or on patients). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

Thursday, April 23, 2026