242: Microbiology & Infection Prevention: Partners in Crime
Release Date: 09/03/2026
247: Digital Biology: Data Quality in the Age of AI
Let's Talk Micro
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into biological research, the quality of the data used to develop these technologies is more important than ever. But what exactly is digital biology, and why does data quality matter? In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Jonathan Jacobs, PhD, Senior Director of Bioinformatics at ATCC, to explore digital biology and the challenges associated with biological and genomic data. Dr. Jacobs discusses the importance of metadata, common issues with publicly available genomic databases, and why connecting digital...
info_outline
246: Inside ATCC: From Biological Materials to the Bench
Let's Talk Micro
Many microbiology professionals are familiar with ATCC strains used for quality control, validation, and verification—but what happens before those biological materials reach the laboratory? ATCC, the American Type Culture Collection, maintains biological materials used by scientists and laboratories around the world. In this episode of Let’s Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Shahin Ali, Senior Scientist at ATCC, to take a closer look at the work behind biological reference materials. Dr. Ali discusses how ATCC identifies and acquires microorganisms, what characteristics are considered...
info_outline
World Rabies Day: Revisiting Rabies with Dr. Rodney Rohde
Let's Talk Micro
Originally published on September 28, 2022, this episode returns to the Let’s Talk Micro feed in recognition of World Rabies Day. Dr. Rodney Rohde joins the podcast to discuss rabies and his extensive experience working with the virus in public health. We start with the basics: What is rabies? How is it transmitted? What are the signs and symptoms? From there, we discuss potential exposures, post-exposure prophylaxis, vaccination, and ways to prevent rabies. Dr. Rohde also shares his experience working in rabies diagnostics and molecular epidemiology, as well as his involvement with wildlife...
info_outline
245: Antimicrobials Conference: The Next Chapter for MAD-ID and SIDP
Let's Talk Micro
MAD-ID (Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases) and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) have joined forces to create a new annual meeting focused on antimicrobial therapeutics, stewardship, infectious diseases, and more. In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Erin McCreary and Dr. Mike Rybak to discuss the history of MAD-ID and SIDP, what brought the two organizations together, and highlights from their 2026 meeting. They also discuss sessions relevant to clinical microbiology, practical approaches to applying new science, opportunities for networking...
info_outline
244: Group A Strep: Breaking Down the New IDSA Guidelines
Let's Talk Micro
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common cause of pharyngitis, but deciding who should be tested and which testing method to use isn’t always straightforward. In 2025, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) released updated guidelines on Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, bringing renewed attention to diagnostic stewardship and the use of clinical scoring systems to help guide testing decisions. In this episode of Let’s Talk Micro, Dr. Christopher Doern returns to the podcast to break down the updated IDSA guidelines and what they may mean for clinical practice. We discuss...
info_outline
243: When AI Meets Medicine
Let's Talk Micro
Artificial intelligence is changing how healthcare professionals access and use clinical information. But what does that look like at the point of care? In this episode of Let’s Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Declan Kelly, physician, software engineer, and founder of Eolas Medical, to discuss the role of AI in clinical decision support. Dr. Kelly shares how challenges accessing institutional guidelines and clinical knowledge led to the development of Eolas Medical and how AI can help healthcare professionals find the information they need when making clinical decisions. The conversation...
info_outline
242: Microbiology & Infection Prevention: Partners in Crime
Let's Talk Micro
Let’s Talk Micro is back for a new season! In this season premiere, Luis is joined by Dr. Megan Amerson-Brown to discuss the important connection between clinical microbiology and infection prevention. Dr. Amerson-Brown shares her career journey from the microbiology bench to infection prevention and ultimately laboratory leadership. She discusses how microbiologists contribute to infection prevention through surveillance, diagnostic stewardship, outbreak investigations, and collaboration with infection prevention teams. The conversation also explores how laboratorians can become more...
info_outline
241: What Can Whole Genome Sequencing Realistically Tell Us About Resistance?
Let's Talk Micro
Recorded live at ASM Microbe 2026 in Washington, DC, this special episode marks the first live recording of Let's Talk Micro. Joining me are co-host Dr. Andrea Prinzi and guest Dr. Nathan Ledeboer for a discussion on the evolving role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in clinical microbiology and antimicrobial resistance. Can whole genome sequencing predict antimicrobial susceptibility? What are its current limitations? How close are we to incorporating WGS into routine clinical microbiology laboratories? Throughout the conversation, we explore the opportunities and challenges of implementing...
info_outline
240: CLSI M100 2026: Actualizaciones
Let's Talk Micro
En este episodio en español de Let's Talk Micro, Luis conversa nuevamente con el Dr. Germán Esparza sobre los cambios más relevantes incluidos en la edición 2026 del documento CLSI M100. Durante la conversación, revisan nuevas opciones terapéuticas como aztreonam-avibactam, actualizaciones en los puntos de corte para Acinetobacter y Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cambios en aminoglucósidos, consideraciones de control de calidad y los desafíos asociados con las pruebas de susceptibilidad para el complejo Burkholderia cepacia. Además, discuten cómo los laboratorios pueden evaluar e implementar...
info_outline
239: Inside ASM Microbe 2026
Let's Talk Micro
ASM Microbe is the largest microbiology meeting in the United States, bringing together thousands of scientists, laboratorians, clinicians, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances in microbiology. In this episode, Luis shares highlights from ASM Microbe 2026, including sessions on diagnostic challenges, antimicrobial resistance, rapid susceptibility testing, emerging therapeutics, laboratory automation, phage therapy, and whole-genome sequencing. Topics include a Brucella case that reinforces the importance of Gram stain interpretation, updates on resistance mechanisms in...
info_outlineLet’s Talk Micro is back for a new season! In this season premiere, Luis is joined by Dr. Megan Amerson-Brown to discuss the important connection between clinical microbiology and infection prevention.
Dr. Amerson-Brown shares her career journey from the microbiology bench to infection prevention and ultimately laboratory leadership. She discusses how microbiologists contribute to infection prevention through surveillance, diagnostic stewardship, outbreak investigations, and collaboration with infection prevention teams.
The conversation also explores how laboratorians can become more involved in infection prevention while remaining in the laboratory, resources and certifications for those interested in the field, the importance of mentorship, and potential career pathways for microbiologists considering a transition into infection prevention.
Tune in to the season premiere and learn more about the role microbiologists play in infection prevention and the opportunities available both at and beyond the bench.
Additional Resources
-
a-IPC™ (Associate – Infection Prevention and Control) Examination — Information about the entry-level infection prevention and control certification discussed during the episode.
-
CIC® (Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology) Examination — Information about the CIC certification examination.
-
APIC – Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology — Education, career development, and other resources for infection prevention professionals.
Stay connected with Let’s Talk Micro:
-
Website: letstalkmicro.com
-
Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com
-
Interested in being a guest on Let’s Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8
Support the podcast: