MicroSeq2022, the third iteration of the MicroSeq online conference, ran in September. The conference is unique in the national conference calendar as it is organised and run by early career researchers (ECRs) for ECRs. The core aims of the conference remain: i) to bring together microbiological researchers across diverse disciplines using the common ground of sequencing technologies (which permeates microbiological research everywhere) and ii) to provide engagement and training opportunities for ECRs.

The conference was held on the 7th–8th of September. Following on from the success of MicroSeq2020 and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the decision was made to keep the meeting online. It brought together 98 participants representing 29 institutions from five states and territories.

The ECRs and higher degrees by research (HDRs) provided us with a fantastic program of 31 talks which intersected a diverse range of microbiology disciplines including Clinical, Environmental, Public Health, Veterinary, Agricultural and the Food and Beverage industry. Participant engagement was fantastic, with ideas and analysis techniques being shared between fields of research which don’t traditionally overlap. In addition, many of our attendees were joining as first-time presenters or chairs.

Our plenaries were a highlight of the program. Dr Daniel Knight (University of Western Australia), Dr Barbara Brito Rodriguez (NSW Department of Primary Industries),  Dr Charlotte Oskam (Murdoch University) and Dr Guillaume Meric (Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute) provided engaging talks that not only provided insights across a range of research areas, but insights into Career Pathways, #ECRLife and Industry engagement. 

Congratulations to our prize winners! Johanna Wong who was awarded the Australian Society for Microbiology Award for Best Talk and Remy Young won the Australian Society for Microbiology Award for Best Lightning Talk. The Microbial Genomics People’s Choice Award Medium Talk was awarded to Magnus Jespersen and Microbial Genomics People’s Choice Award Best Lightning Talk was awarded to Aashi Parikh. Congrats to all the attendees who won prizes for best question (Cami Plum, Charlie Higgs, Johanna Wong, Ash Porter, Ben Vezina, Daniel Bogema, Rhys Parry, Jackie Mahar), selected by the session chairs. And finally congratulations to the winners of the quest: Elizabeth Mullens and. Samriddhi Thakur.

MicroSeq2022 Organising Committee