ClinMicro Open speakers and panels

Our Work

The Clin Micro Open (CMO) is an annual meeting that brings together laboratory and industry leaders to discuss current and potential issues affecting the future of diagnostic clinical microbiology. We aim to improve patient care by exchanging ideas, engaging in informal networking and cultivating partnerships.

What is Clin Micro Open?

Clin Micro Open (CMO) is a unique meeting where relationships are formed and technological advances are catalyzed. The meeting facilitates the open exchange of ideas among the medical microbiology and biotechnology communities and is composed of 50% laboratory directors and 50% ASM Corporate Council members (biotech companies and industry partners who have entered into a year-long relationship with ASM).

Why Should You Attend CMO?

We believe that improvements in patient care begin with open dialogue between key stakeholders and decision makers, and with approximately 60-80 professionals in attendence, CMO allows attendees to truly engage with one another and leverage diverse views and expertise to address critical challenges and collaborative opportunities in the field of diagnostic microbiology.

Laboratory directors and ASM Corporate Council members discuss opportunities for partnership at ClinMicro Open.

Source: American Society for Microbiology


CMO 2025

ASM will host its sixth CMO in Savannah, Ga. The conference will begin in the evening on Jan. 29, 2025, and conclude late morning on Jan. 31. Approximately 60 attendees (a mixture of corporate council members, clinical directors and government) will convene to hear insightful presentations and engage in meaningful discussions. Industry attendees will be members of ASM’s Corporate Council and identified by their company. Federal employees will be invited participants. Laboratory leaders will be invited or selected based on their submitted application and willingness to actively participate.

Topics

The theme for CMO 2025 is infection prevention and features the following topics:

  • Successes or failures in implementing programs for emerging health threats relevant to infection prevention.
  • Challenges, barriers and successes using sequencing methods to address infections at your institutions.
  • Strategies you are using to navigate the changing nature of LDT regulations for unmet clinical needs.

Participants will present the keynote talks, followed by roundtable discussions, with the intent of formulating recommendations for future activities or collaborations. Incorporation of fun activities and games will encourage attendees to share their knowledge and ideas and give them a chance to win a few prizes.

Applicant Eligibility: 

ASM members who work full-time in a clinical or public health laboratory at the director level. Applicants who apply agree to present a 10-15 minute talk (if selected), serve as a scribe or moderator and actively participate in roundtable discussions during the event.

Applications are now closed. Applications will open again in fall 2025.

Travel information:

ASM will provide airfare (up to $600), 2 nights hotel, per diem for travel days and ground transportation for laboratory directors who are accepted or invited as speakers.


Who Can Attend?

Medical Microbiology Laboratory Directors

Applications for CMO 2025 have closed. If you are interested in participating next year, we welcome you to join us! ASM members who are full-time laboratory directors are eligible to apply.

Federal Agency and Public Health Decision Makers

Representatives from federal agencies will be invited by the CMO Steering Committee to attend. 

ASM's Corporate Council Members

Our Corporate Council program offers companies a unique year-long relationship with ASM and its members. Kingdom and Phylum members are automatically invited to attend CMO.

ASM's Corporate Council Program

Partnership between the public and private sectors is key to true advancement in the microbial sciences. ASM’s Corporate Council bridges the gap—connecting leading companies in the field with ASM members to find innovative solutions that will better serve our communities.

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CMO 2024

Clin Micro Open 2024 was a success! The annual meeting took place from Jan. 31–Feb. 2 at the Mission Pacific Hotel located in Oceanside, Calif. Approximately 60 attendees (a mixture of corporate council members, clinical directors and government) convened to hear insightful presentations and engage in meaningful discussions.

Topics:

The theme of last year’s meeting was the Lab of the Future, featuring the following topics:

  • Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Clinical Labs.
  • Centralization vs. Decentralization.
  • When There is No Consensus on the Standard of Care.

Fun activities, such as the Shark Tank and Family Feud encouraged attendees to share their knowledge and ideas, as well as giving them a chance to win some prizes. A paper on CMO 2024 will be published in ASM journals later in 2024.

Various images from CMO 2024

ClinMicro Open 2024 Welcome Address

Source: American Society for Microbiology


Outcomes of Prior CMO Meetings

Proceedings of the Clinical Microbiology Open 2018 and 2019

See Journal Article

Updating breakpoints in the U.S.: CMO 2022 Summary

See Journal Article

Proceedings of the Clinical Microbiology Open 2023

See Journal Article

Testimonials


  • “The experience and caliber of people who attended the meeting was a dream come true, but most importantly, there was so much fun while learning.”

  • “Making some new connections with people I didn't know was the most valuable part of the meeting! The clinical outcomes topic and laboratory challenges seemed extremely relevant to us each individually as well as a diagnostic community. I also loved Shark Tank!”

  • “The clinical outcomes research was amazing; Really great to get the combined perspective of labs and industry in one place.”
Various ClinMicro Open presentations and events

Participants at ClinMicro Open 2024

Source: American Society for Microbiology


Steering Committee Members

 

CMO was established in 2018 with the support of  ASM's Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Committee (CPHMC) and ASM's Corporate Council.

The CMO Steering Committee is comprised of 6 total members, 3 lab directors and 3 Corporate Council Members. The committee is responsible for creating an agenda that will guide open dialogue and produce tangible outcomes from the meeting (i.e., papers/publications.)

 

  • Jennifer Dien Bard, Ph.D., D(ABMM), F(CCM), University of Southern California.
  • Allison Eberly, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
  • Allison McMullen, Ph.D., D(ABMM), bioMérieux.
  • Ashley Nenninger, Ph.D., Hologic, Inc.
  • Jean Patel, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Co-Chair).
  • David Peaper, M.D., Ph.D., D(ABMM), Yale University (Co-Chair).

Additional questions? Contact clinmicro@asmusa.org