The annual Infectious Diseases Research Day and CCfV Symposium showcases the important work undertaken by researchers associated with the Canadian Center for Vaccinology and the Divisions of Infectious Diseases at IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health. Faculty, researchers, trainees, and members of the community are all invited to take part in this educational event.
Here are this year’s guest speakers:
TJ Marrie Lecturer
Dr. John Kim
Dr. John Kim is Chief of the National Microbiology Laboratory’s HIV/AIDS Laboratories. The lab’s work involves national reference testing for HIV and HTLV, quality management, and novel technologies to expand access to testing such as Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing in Indigenous communities.
Dr. Kim and his team have applied DBS technology for serology testing to determine past infections to diseases such as the virus that causes COVID-19. The team has also participated in multiple studies measuring antibodies in populations such as people in long-term care homes, teachers, correctional services, 2SLGBTQ+ populations and pregnant persons.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Kyla Hildebrand
Dr. Kyla Hildebrand is a Pediatric Clinical Immunology and Allergy specialist, Clinical Associate Professor and clinician educator at BC Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, [University of British Columbia] in Vancouver, Canada. She is a clinical investigator at the [BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute] and the Head of the Division of Immunology.
Dr. Hildebrand’s scholarly work focuses on the areas of immunization including adverse events following immunization, inborn errors of immunity and implementation of intrinsic CanMEDS roles in postgraduate medical education. She has been a voting member on the National Advisory Committee for Immunization since 2018 and is the Chair of the NACI Pneumococcal Vaccine Working Groups.
Dr. Hildebrand has been recognized for excellence in teaching and medical education with several national awards including the Canadian Association for Medical Education Award of Merit and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada AMS Donald Richards Wilson Award for CanMEDS Integration.
Local Speakers
Dr. Amy Gillgrass
Since 2025, Dr. Amy Gillgrass has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at [Dalhousie University]. She came to Halifax from McMaster University. Dr. Gillgrass’ research is focused on utilizing next-generation humanized mouse models to investigate infectious disease and cancer.
Using these mice, Dr. Gillgrass’ lab has established models of HIV, TB and HIV/TB co-infection to explore pathogenesis, therapeutics and vaccination in the context of human immune cells. In addition, they are using these mice to test novel cancer immunotherapeutics.
Based on the innovative nature of her program, Dr. Gillgrass has received the E.J. Moran Campbell Early Research Award and the Bhagirath Singh Early Career Award in Infection and Immunity from CIHR.
Dr. Karen Lithgow
Dr. Karen Lithgow is an Assistant Professor in the Dept of Microbiology & Immunology at [Dalhousie University]. Dr. Lithgow completed her PhD studying syphilis pathogenesis at the University of Victoria and conducted a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Calgary investigating the vaginal microbiome.
Dr. Lithgow’s research program investigates host-microbe interactions in the female genital tract with a specific focus on the molecular mechanisms used by bacteria to trigger pregnancy complications and increase endocervical susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Find information on this year’s event, and download the event handbook for a full list of abstracts, here.