During the Spring ’24 semester, the Weitz Group welcomed many distinguished experts in virology and mathematical biology through several University of Maryland (UMD) seminar series, fostering insights into viral ecology, infectious disease dynamics, and diagnostic advancements. These talks were followed by engaging student lunches, providing networking opportunities and career insights.

BEES Seminars

The BEES (Behavior, Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics) Seminar series highlighted the eco-evolutionary dynamics of viruses:

• Elaine Luo from UNC Charlotte discussed “Viral ecology from the surface to deep oceans,” exploring the intricate relationships viruses have across different marine environments.
• Justin Meyer of UC San Diego presented “Unraveling Darwin’s entangled bank using bacteriophage experiments,” delving into experimental approaches to understand biodiversity maintenance through bacteriophages.
• James O’Dwyer from the University of Illinois examined “Life History Complementarity and the Maintenance of Biodiversity,” shedding light on the evolutionary strategies that sustain biodiversity.

Mathematical Biology Seminars

The Mathematical Biology Seminar series focused on viral infectious diseases:

• Matthew Ferrari from Penn State University discussed “Transient dynamics and the control of measles and rubella,” applying mathematical models to understand disease dynamics and control strategies.
• Jonathan Dushoff from McMaster University presented on “Transmission intervals and disease spread,” exploring the temporal aspects of disease transmission and their implications for public health strategies.

Biology Department Seminar

Anne Wyllie, a Research Scientist in Epidemiology from Yale School of Public Health, headlined the Biology Department Seminar with “Unveiling the potential of saliva for the detection of respiratory pathogens,” showcasing innovative approaches in pathogen detection.