Date: July 7-11, 2025

Location: University of Maine, Orono

The MSE Symposium 2025 will explore the concept of microbiome stewardship, a vital framework connecting microbiomes with social equity and environmental health. This symposium will bring together interdisciplinary experts, including microbiologists, social scientists, policymakers, community leaders, and NGOs, to deliberate on and expand the working definition and guiding principles of microbiome stewardship.

Microbiomes play a critical role in human and environmental health, yet modern societal practices threaten these ecosystems. Without a collective strategy, harmful effects on microbial communities—especially those impacting marginalized populations—will only deepen social inequities. This symposium will address these issues and craft actionable policies to safeguard our microbiomes and, by extension, the health of people and the planet.

Session 1: July 7-8, 2025

Human-Centric Microbiome Stewardship

Dates: July 7-8, 2025

Focus: Nutrition, health, food access, and biobanking.

This session will discuss the implications of microbiomes on public health and policy, particularly focusing on equity in access to healthy food and healthcare.

Session 2: July 9-10, 2025

Session 2: Environment-Centric Microbiome Stewardship

Dates: July 9-10, 2025

Focus: Food systems, water, soil, air quality, and spatial justice.

This session will look at environmental impacts, including agriculture, biodiversity, and pollution, and how policy can shape better stewardship of our shared microbial environments.

Session 3: July 11, 2025

Session 3: Microbiome Stewardship Working Group (Invite Only)

Date: July 11, 2025

A dedicated working group of invited experts will consolidate the findings from the previous sessions to create a framework for microbiome stewardship.

Why Attend?

This symposium will offer a unique opportunity to:
 

  • Collaborate with leading scientists and policymakers on defining microbiome stewardship.

  • Contribute to discussions that shape public policy, environmental protection, and health equity.

  • Participate in practical workshops and develop case studies aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.