On February 19, Diné College will host a virtual conference on emerging infectious diseases. The conference is billed as a discussion about the challenges and the latest scientific, biological, diagnostic, epidemiological, clinical, ecological, and social sciences information and strategies. The event is open to the public.

“This proposed conference incorporates both a scientific and a community focus, and will be open to everyone in general and members of Navajo Nation and other tribal communities of North America — without any registration or cost virtually,” says Dr. Shazia Hakim, a Diné College microbiology professor. Hakim is the American Society for Microbiology’s conference grant awardee and part of a group of Diné College professors who organized the event. “The conference will provide an exceptional opportunity to underscore the work which has been done, is ongoing, and is planned to occur, not only around the Navajo Nation and tribal communities, but throughout North America.” 

Those giving presentations at the conference represent the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice president, the Navajo Nation Tribal Epidemiology Center, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Society for Microbiology, Indian Health Services, American Society for Clinical Virology, Health Security Partners, the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Urban Indian Health, the University of Toronto, Living Well Organization Canada, the University of Ottawa, community members from the Navajo Nation, and students from Diné College.

“We hope this conference gives our participants the knowledge and the tools they need to prepare for the future,” says James Tutt, dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at Diné College. “Please encourage your family, friends and colleagues to participate.”

Find more registration information here.