“Microbes, Genes and Cancer”

March 2-3, 2026

Formerly known in the field as the “Robert Gallo” meeting, this meeting will focus on the critical links between microbes, genetics, and cancer, with discussions highlighting emerging research and therapeutic innovations.

Organizing Committee

Robert Gallo, MD

TGH Cancer Institute; GVN;

USF Health Institute for Translational Virology & Innovation

Eduardo Sotomayor, MD

TGH Cancer Institute

Jack Pledger, PhD

TGH Cancer Institute

TGH Cancer Institute Featuring

Rafi Ahmed, PhD

Emory University; U.S.A.

Matthew Anderson, MD, PhD

TGH Cancer Institute; USF Health Morsani College of Medicine; U.S.A.

Ivan Borrello, MD

TGH Cancer Institute; U.S.A.

Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD

GVN; USF Microbiomes Institute; U.S.A.

Robert Coffey, MD

Vanderbilt University, U.S.A.

Timothy Cover, MD, PhD

Vanderbilt University, U.S.A.

Carlo Croce, MD

The Ohio State University; U.S.A.

Riccardo Dalla-Favera, MD, PhD

Columbia University; U.S.A.

Eric Engels, MD, MPH

National Cancer Institute; U.S.A.

Patrizia Farci, MD

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; U.S.A.

Robert Gallo, MD

GVN; TGH Cancer Institute; USF Health Institute for Translational Virology & Innovation; U.S.A.

Anna Giuliano, PhD

Moffitt Cancer Center; U.S.A.

Eduardo Gotuzzo, MD

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Peru

William Hall MD, PhD

University College Dublin; Ireland

Helen Heslop, MD, Dsc (Hon)

Baylor College of Medicine; U.S.A.

Christian Jobin, PhD

University of Florida College of Medicine; U.S.A.

Carl June, MD, PhD

University of Pennsylvania; U.S.A.

Warren Leonard, MD

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH; U.S.A.

Masao Matsuoka, MD, PhD

Kumamoto University; Japan

Savita Pahwa, MD

Miami Miller School of Medicine; U.S.A.

Drew Pardoll, MD, PhD

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; U.S.A.

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Marshall Posner, MD

TGH Cancer Institute; U.S.A.

Steve Rosenberg, MD, PhD

National Cancer Institute; U.S.A.

Anders Vahlne, MD, PhD

Karolinska Institutet; Sweden

Yutaka Tagaya, PhD

USF Health Institute of Translational Virology and Innovation; U.S.A.

Hariom Yadav, PhD

USF Microbiomes Institute; U.S.A.

Timothy Yeatman, MD, FACS

TGH Cancer Institute; U.S.A.

Davide Zella, PhD

USF Health Institute of Translational Virology and Innovation; U.S.A.

Special Guest

Erling Norrby, MD, PhD

Karolinska Institutet; Sweden

TGH Cancer Institute International Meeting Agenda

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

The agenda provided is preliminary and subject to modification. The organizing committee reserves the right to make changes as necessary.

FULL MEETING BOOKLET SOON

Save the Date 2026 International Meeting GVN-25

Call for Abstracts Now Open

Call for Abstracts for the 2026 GVN Annual International Scientific Meeting, “Pandemic Preparedness?”

The Global Virus Network (GVN) invites researchers, clinicians, trainees, and public health professionals worldwide to submit abstracts for our Annual International Scientific Meeting, “Pandemic Preparedness?” from March 4 - 6, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. This event highlights innovative scientific discoveries, advances in virology, and impactful public health research, with a strong commitment to inclusivity and global collaboration.

Deadline for Submissions: January 15, 2026

About the Call
GVN welcomes abstracts showcasing cutting-edge scientific research, emerging methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches in virology, infectious diseases, and global health. All submissions will undergo rigorous scientific review. Top-ranked abstracts will have the opportunity to be selected for oral presentations.

Outstanding submissions may be considered for up to 10 travel awards to attend the annual meeting, prioritizing early-career investigators and applicants from low- and middle-income countries.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for abstract submission, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:

GVN Alumni
Early-Career Scientists who are members of a GVN Center of Excellence or Affiliate
Students (including post-doctoral) from a GVN Center of Excellence or Affiliate
Applicants not meeting at least one category above will not be considered for review.

Abstract Submission Guidelines
All abstracts must be submitted in English to our Network Administrator, Ruby Ferrari at [email protected].

Please use the following structure:

Title (≤150 characters)
Authors and Affiliations
Background / Objectives (up to 250 words)
Methods (up to 250 words)
Results (up to 250 words)
Conclusions / Significance (up to 150 words)
Keywords: 3–5
Formatting Requirements:
Maximum length: 1,000 words (excluding authors and affiliations)
Font: Arial, 11 pt, single-spaced

Review & Selection Process
All submissions undergo blinded review by the GVN Scientific Review Subcommittee. Abstracts will be evaluated on:

Scientific merit
Clarity and organization
Innovation and relevance
Contribution to equity and inclusion
Overall quality
Top-scoring abstracts will be invited for oral presentation during the Annual Meeting.

This meeting offers a unique opportunity to share your research with leading experts, connect with colleagues worldwide, and contribute to global efforts in pandemic preparedness and viral disease control.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Submit Your Abstract

Meeting Venue

USF HEALTH

560 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

The meetings will take place at USF Health’s Downtown Building in Water Street Tampa, Florida. This state-of-the-art facility brings together 1,800 students, faculty, and researchers in a vibrant hub for biomedical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing USF Health’s mission to pioneer discoveries that transform global health.
USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the Taneja College of Pharmacy, the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health’s multispecialty physicians’ group. The University of South Florida (USF), a high-impact research university dedicated to student success and committed to community engagement, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Through hundreds of millions of dollars in research activity each year, USF is a leader in solving global problems and improving lives. USF Health Downtown Building in Water Street Tampa, Florida, USA is bringing 1,800 students, faculty and researchers to the downtown waterfront to transform health education and pioneer discoveries to end heart disease. For more information, visit https://health.usf.edu/

Transportation to the Venue

Welcome to Tampa! The Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Tampa Downtown and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the Channel District are centrally located, making it easy to navigate the city. We have compiled a list of transportation options to help you get to and from conference events and explore the city.

Transportation from Hyatt Place/House Downtown to USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine at 560 Channelside Drive is a short distance from the Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Downtown, located at 325 N Florida Ave. You can use the following options for your commute.

TECO Line Streetcar

Cost: Free.
Route: The historic electric streetcar is an excellent free option for getting to the conference venue.
Frequency: The streetcar runs every 15 minutes during peak hours.
Instructions: Walk from the Hyatt Downtown to the nearest streetcar station, such as Whiting Street Station. From there, take the streetcar toward the Port of Tampa and exit at the Amalie Arena or the closest Channelside station. The Morsani College of Medicine is a short walk from either stop.

DASH (Downtown Area Shared Hubs)

Cost: $2 per person.
Service: This is an on-demand, app-based electric vehicle service that operates within Downtown Tampa's core neighborhoods, including the Channel District.
Instructions: Download the DASH app to request a ride from one of over 20 designated hubs. It operates Monday–Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Rideshare Services

Cost: Varies based on demand.
Convenience: For a direct and quick trip, use a rideshare service. Both Uber and Lyft are readily available throughout the downtown and Channelside areas.
Instructions: Use the Uber or Lyft app on your smartphone to request a ride directly from the hotel to the conference venue.

Walk

Travel Time: Approximately 15–20 minutes.
Route: The conference venue is a pleasant, walkable distance from the Hyatt Downtown, especially in the cooler morning and evening hours. This route will take you along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk.

Networking Events

GVN ANNUAL MEETING WELCOME DINNER

TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER
801 Water St, Tampa, FL 33602

The Welcome Dinner will take place on Wednesday, March 4th, at the Tampa Bay History Center, one of Tampa Bay's premier cultural venues and an anchor of the Tampa Riverwalk on Water Street. Explore a world where stories unfold around every corner. Three levels of exhibit galleries invite you on a journey through time. Engage with history talks that transform learning into a quest for knowledge, join public events that go beyond entertainment, fostering a connection to the collective history and future.

TGH CANCER INSTITUTE PRIVATE DINNER

A private dinner will be offered by the TGH Cancer Institute on March 3rd, featuring Erling C. Norrby, MD, PhD, on “The Unique Nobel Prizes. Discoveries in protein folding, ethology and cell structure recognized in 1972-74”

Hotel Accommodations

HYATT PLACE/HYATT HOUSE TAMPA DOWNTOWN

325 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602

The Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Tampa Downtown is a dual-branded hotel located in the heart of downtown Tampa, Florida, offering a combined experience with both Hyatt Place (standard rooms) and Hyatt House (extended-stay suites with kitchens) under one roof. It features contemporary design, 345 luxurious guestrooms, a rooftop pool, a fitness center with Peloton bikes, and the on-site Mexican restaurant and bar, Corazon. The property is steps away from attractions like the Tampa Riverwalk, Amalie Arena, and Curtis Hixon Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the city.

Group Booking | Hyatt Events

How to get around Tampa

Moving Around Tampa During the Conference

In addition to transportation to the conference, attendees can use the following options to explore the wider Tampa area.

Public Transportation

TECO Line Streetcar: In addition to reaching the conference, the free streetcar connects downtown to the historic and vibrant Ybor City, known for its restaurants, nightlife, and cultural sites.
HART Bus System: For destinations outside downtown, Ybor City, and Channelside, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus system offers extensive routes throughout the Tampa area. Fares are affordable, and day passes are available through the Flamingo Fares app.

Water Taxi

Route: The Pirate Water Taxi is a scenic way to travel along the Hillsborough River, with hop-on-hop-off service to many popular destinations along the Riverwalk, Harbour Island, and Davis Islands.
Instructions: Tickets can be purchased online or at designated docks. Check the Pirate Water Taxi website for schedules and routes.

Tampa Riverwalk

Activity: Enjoy a scenic walk, run, or bike ride along this 2.6-mile path connecting many of downtown attractions, including parks, museums, and restaurants.
Convenience: Many of downtown's points of interest are easily accessible on foot from the Hyatt and the conference venue via the Riverwalk.

Bike and Scooter Rentals

Availability: There are bike and scooter rental stations available throughout the downtown area for a fast and flexible way to get around.
Instructions: Look for rental services like Coast Bike Share or use a scooter-sharing app on your smartphone.

Things to Do

Visiting Tampa

Tampa Bay is a wonderful city located in West Central Florida, it is home to some of the country's most beautiful beaches and theme parks. There are an abundance of museums to visit, such as the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Tampa Museum of Art, Chihuly Glass Collection at the Morean Arts Center, the Salvador Dali Museum, the Tampa Aquarium, and the Lowry Park Zoo. You can even take a Caribbean cruise directly from the Port of Tampa. Disney World is only about 80 miles away and can easily be visited for a day.

We encourage you to explore all that Tampa has to offer!

Things to Do in Tampa Florida, Attractions, Family Fun & More