Events
Microbiome data science training events
January 26-29, 2026
The Mountain West Microbiome Alliance (MoWMA) brings together researchers from the Mountain West region of the US, intending to create a synergistic community of researchers. A key aspect of this community is interdisciplinary cross training of our students and staff.
Beginning in 2026, MoWMA will offer hands-on microbiome data science training, where learners at all levels, from undergrads through faculty members, can learn the latest tools used in microbiome multi-omics. These events include sessions where students learn theory and practice of microbiome analysis on real-world data, working through analysis steps and guided challenges on their own computers. Tools including QIIME2 and MOSHPIT, for amplicon and metagenome data analysis respectively, are frequently the focus of these events. Plenty of time is provided for interacting with instructors, many of whom are developers of the tools being taught, in group or individual discussions.
A discussion of an earlier incarnation of these events was presented in Dillon et al. PLoS Computational Biology (2022). We ultimately hope to expand this program to include training in relevant molecular laboratory techniques, and laboratory exchanges across MoWMA-affiliated labs.
When space permits, we open these training sessions to individuals outside of MoWMA-affiliated labs. Join the MoWMA listserv to get emails on these events!
The 2026 Mountain West Microbiome Alliance meeting in Snowbird
March 9-11, 2026 Snowbird, UT
Generously supported by the Cumming Foundation
Past Events
The Mountain West Microbiome Alliance meeting in Snowbird
2025
During this meeting we solidified the formation of working groups and had focused discussions on creative ways to fund research that included a session led by David Cumming, CEO of Cumming Capital. Keynote speakers included: Seth Bordenstein, Penn State University, Randy Longman, Weill Cornell and Vincent Young, University of Michigan
2024
Our second meeting featured more great collaborative science with featured talks from seed grant recipients and focused discussion on the development of training programs and how to move toward translation. We were joined by keynote speakers: Gary Wu, University of Pennsylvania, Jennifer Martiny, University of California Irvine and Zachary Abbott, CEO of Zbiotics.
2023
Our inaugural meeting! With a focus on getting to know one another there were several short science talks and several breakout sessions to facilitate collaboration and seed new ideas. We were joined by our keynote speakers : Karen Guillemin, University of Oregon and David Relman, Stanford.