MoBE building science workshop

Recent advances in culture-independent molecular techniques and computational tools for analyzing microbial communities, coupled with the recognition that the majority of people in the developed world spend most of their lives indoors, has led to a rapid increase in the number of studies exploring microbial diversity within the built environment. Many of these recent studies, particularly those funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s program on the Microbiology of the Built Environment (MoBE), have been driven and led by microbiologists. However, there remains a need to solicit input from expert building scientists and engineers on the overall effectiveness of these previous studies for advancing knowledge of microbial communities in the indoor environment, to identify existing gaps in these studies, and to inform a research agenda for future studies of the microbiology of the built environment that stems from deep knowledge of how buildings are constructed, operated, and occupied. Therefore, this invitation-only workshop aims to bring together a group of experts in building science and engineering with a smaller number of microbiologists to discuss existing gaps and future opportunities for research on the microbiology of the built environment. Outcomes of the workshop are expected to advance the MoBE program’s research goals and ultimately increase efficiency and impact among grantees.

For invitees to the workshop, the tentative schedule is listed below. Stay tuned to this page for updates as the workshop draws nearer. You should go ahead and make your arrangements for travel and lodging now and submit your receipts for reimbursement at your convenience.

Schedule:

Thursday, May 22, 2014 | Downtown Chicago

All day: Participants arrive in Chicago

6:30 pm: Group dinner | Quartino | 626 N State St | Downtown Chicago

9:00 pm: Return to hotels

Friday, May 23, 2014 | Illinois Institute of Technology

McCormick Tribune Campus Center | 3201 S State St | Executive Conference Room

3 mi south of downtown Chicago (campus map)
Accessible via CTA green line | CTA red line | Metra (from southern ‘burbs) | Taxi cab
Paid parking is available in Lot A4 (parking map) | Keep your receipt

8:00 am: Arrive IIT

Light breakfast and coffee

8:30 am: Kick-off presentations

Paula Olsiewski, Sloan Foundation: Welcome
Brent Stephens, IIT: Review of recent MoBE studies from the perspective of a building scientist

9:15 am: MoBE from the perspective of several disciplines (20-min invited presentations)

Jeffrey Siegel, University of Toronto, Building science
Hal Levin, Building Ecology, Architecture/Building science
Shelly Miller, University of Colorado, Environmental engineering
Rachel Adams, University of California Berkeley, Microbiology
Seema Bhangar, University of California Berkeley, Environmental engineering/health

11:00 am: Group discussion and facilitated brainstorming session