Master Calendar

Microbial communities profoundly impact host biology by influencing immune development, metabolic processes, and therapeutic outcomes. However, accurately profiling these communities at sufficient resolution to capture subtle, biologically meaningful differences remains challenging. Variability in microbiome composition—even among genetically identical laboratory animals under controlled conditions—can confound experimental results and hinder reproducibility. Addressing this challenge requires methods capable of experimentally standardizing microbiomes and computationally profiling them with strain-level resolution. First, I will present a bioinformatics workflow capable of handling large-scale microbiome datasets with high resolution. This workflow was used to demonstrate that a single antibiotic-free cecal microbiome transplantation (CMT) effectively standardizes gut microbiomes across genetically diverse mouse populations, reducing unwanted variability without promoting antibiotic-resistant pathogens. I will then introduce AmpliconHunter, a tool developed to facilitate precise identification and tracking of these microbiomes. AmpliconHunter is a highly scalable computational tool for accurate PCR amplicon sequence prediction using degenerate primers. Its performance enables efficient strain-level profiling and evaluation of primer pairs with similar accuracy and significantly improved speed when compared to existing methods. I will also detail my work creating AmpliconHunter2: a SIMD-accelerated update to the original that completes analysis for V1V9 primers on the ~2.4M genomes from the AllTheBacteria project in 38.73 minutes, compared to 419.45 minutes for AmpliconHunter (~10.8x speedup). Finally, I will introduce another tool: Microbiome HiFi Amplicon Sequence Simulator (MHASS) creates realistic synthetic PacBio HiFi amplicon sequencing datasets for microbiome studies, by integrating genome-aware abundance modeling, realistic dual-barcoding strategies, and empirically derived pass-number distributions from actual sequencing runs. MHASS generates datasets tailored for rigorous benchmarking and validation of long-read microbiome analysis workflows, including ASV clustering and taxonomic assignment. Together, these innovations will provide practical, robust and scalable methods to address microbiome variability, improving reproducibility and translational potential in microbiome-focused biomedical research. All tools are made available on GitHub under an MIT license. AmpliconHunter and AmpliconHunter2 are also made available as freely accessible web servers at https://ah1.engr.uconn.edu and https://ah2.engr.uconn.edu/.

Abstract: Microbial communities profoundly impact host biology by influencing immune development, metabolic processes, and therapeutic outcomes. However, accurately profiling these communities at sufficient resolution to capture subtle, biologically meaningful differences remains challenging. Variability in microbiome composition—even among genetically identical laboratory animals under controlled conditions—can confound experimental results and hinder reproducibility. Addressing this challenge requires methods capable of experimentally standardizing microbiomes and computationally profiling them with strain-level resolution. First, I will present a bioinformatics workflow capable of handling large-scale microbiome datasets with high resolution. This workflow was used to demonstrate that a single antibiotic-free cecal microbiome transplantation (CMT) effectively standardizes gut microbiomes across genetically diverse mouse populations, reducing unwanted variability without promoting antibiotic-resistant pathogens. I will then introduce AmpliconHunter, a tool developed to facilitate precise identification and tracking of these microbiomes. AmpliconHunter is a highly scalable computational tool for accurate PCR amplicon sequence prediction using degenerate primers. Its performance enables efficient strain-level profiling and evaluation of primer pairs with similar accuracy and significantly improved speed when compared to existing methods. I will also detail my work creating AmpliconHunter2: a SIMD-accelerated update to the original that completes analysis for V1V9 primers on the ~2.4M genomes from the AllTheBacteria project in 38.73 minutes, compared to 419.45 minutes for AmpliconHunter (~10.8x speedup). Finally, I will introduce another tool: Microbiome HiFi Amplicon Sequence Simulator (MHASS) creates realistic synthetic PacBio HiFi amplicon sequencing datasets for microbiome studies, by integrating genome-aware abundance modeling, realistic dual-barcoding strategies, and empirically derived pass-number distributions from actual sequencing runs. MHASS generates datasets tailored for rigorous benchmarking and validation of long-read microbiome analysis workflows, including ASV clustering and taxonomic assignment. Together, these innovations will provide practical, robust and scalable methods to address microbiome variability, improving reproducibility and translational potential in microbiome-focused biomedical research. All tools are made available on GitHub under an MIT license. AmpliconHunter and AmpliconHunter2 are also made available as freely accessible web servers at ah1.engr.uconn.edu (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fah2.engr.uconn.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cscott.cathcart%40uconn.edu%7Ced715e9889ed453f1e3508de1702a046%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638973497307282439%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=t8y8O3Bp7PLzt%2B2n%2FbU%2BphngUK7fDCsi0bfQ62np2F0%3D&reserved=0) and ah2.engr.uconn.edu (https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fah2.engr.uconn.edu%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cscott.cathcart%40uconn.edu%7Ced715e9889ed453f1e3508de1702a046%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C638973497307308204%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Ndsyhc4WFLKZw0r3MmHs7ZFwzlmHjWTxofTSdKGlRC4%3D&reserved=0).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Sarah Hallwood, LCSW, LICSW (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/sarah-hallwood/)

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Students who may benefit from attending a Let's Talk: Mental Health Office Hours session include:Students who want help connecting to resources but are unsure where to begin Students who are looking for advice on a non-clinical issue Students who are unsure about therapy and are curious about what it is like to talk to a therapist Students who may have concerns about the mental health of a friend and seek advice on how to support their friend If a student is not an imminent risk, and is refusing your support in contacting our office, you may also consider contacting the UConn Student CARE Team (https://studentcareteam.uconn.edu/). This session is held by Chelsea Morales, Psy.D (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/person/chelsea-morales/)

Noted environmental and climate cartoonist, Tom Toro, is visiting UConn Storrs. He'll be speaking about his path to success as an artist and a new body of work.  About the Speaker: Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. In 2020, he was a finalist for the National Cartoonist Society Reuben Award for gag cartoonist of the year. He is the creator of the syndicated comic strip Home Free. Tom attended NYU graduate film school, where he co-created films that played at Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes. Before that, Tom graduated cum laude from Yale, receiving the Betts Prize for his literary work while also serving as captain of the national-champion lightweight rowing team and cartoon editor for the Yale Herald. Tom grew up in El Cerrito, California. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife, kid, and cat.

Title: "Multifactorial modulation of skin processes in Staphylococcus–skin interactions"

The discussion will focus on the role of scientific associations and the benefits that being a member can provide, as well as on the principles and practicalities that underpin positive research partnerships in international studies. Speakers will also explore how internationalisation in International Studies must be rethought in light of emerging global transformations, shifting power structures, and increasing critiques of technocratic and market-driven academic models. SPEAKERS: Simon Rushton (University of Sheffield), Marianna Charountaki (Lincoln University), and Daniela Irrera (School of Advanced Defence Studies, CASD). Co-sponsored by the British International Studies Association and the European Consortium for Political Research. Interested in being notified of upcoming webinars? Sign up for ISA Connected, a monthly newsletter with information on all of ISA's upcoming virtual programming: https://www.isanet.org/Programs/Virtual-Programs/ISA-Connected (https://www.isanet.org/Programs/Virtual-Programs/ISA-Connected)

Stop by South Campus to connect with Student Health and Wellness's Sexperts & chat about sex and relationships! Sexpert Peer Health Educator Peer Support Drop-In Hours are a free service offered on the UConn Storrs campus. Peer Support Drop-In Hours are a great option for students who have questions about sex and sexual health, are looking for a non-judgmental, laid-back environment to discuss a sex related concern or issue, or are interested in improving their sexual health and personal well-being. The Sexperts are trained to provide education, support, and connection to resources on and off-campus on a wide variety of topics pertaining to sex, sexual health, and relationships.  Fall 2025 Drop In Hours: September 15th – December 5thMonday: 12pm-4pm Tuesday: 9am-6:30pm Wednesday: 11:15am-6pm Thursday: 11am-5:30pm Friday: 10:30am-5:30pm   Sexperts (and supervising staff) are designated confidential employees under UConn's Title IX Reporting Obligations. Peer support sessions are for educational and support purposes only. Peer support visits are not on-call or emergency services, and are not for individualized medical advice, nor are they counseling or therapy. If you can't make the times listed, or would prefer to schedule an appointment with a staff sex educator, please reach out to Program Manager for Sexual Health and Peer Education Initiatives, Cassy Setzler, at cassy@uconn.edu (mailto:cassy@uconn.edu) For more information, visit: studenthealth.uconn.edu/sexperts (https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/sexperts) or email cassy@uconn.edu (mailto:cassy@uconn.edu)

Attend this workshop to learn more about Optional Practical Training (OPT) and how to apply for a work permit to stay in the U.S. and work in your field of study after graduation. This workshop is required for all students who will apply for OPT and will graduate in Fall 2025 semester. Attend this workshop BEFORE you apply for post-completion OPT.

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

For the full class schedule, descriptions, and to register, please visit the UConn Recreation website (https://recreation.uconn.edu/group-fitness-schedule/).

Join the UConn Office of Outreach and Engagement for a virtual presentation introducing the Connecticut Nonprofit Asset Mapping Tool, a new digital resource that visualizes where and how nonprofit organizations are serving communities across the state. Created by the UConn School of Public Policy with funding from the Education Committee of the State of Connecticut legislature, this tool is designed to strengthen collaboration, inform strategic decision-making, and highlight the vital contributions of Connecticut's nonprofit sector. During this session, participants will: • Learn about the purpose and features of the asset mapping tool • Explore how the resource can support data-informed decision-making • Identify opportunities for collaboration and regional partnerships • Consider potential applications for research, advocacy, and strategic planningPresenter: Mohamad Alkadry, PhD, Professor and Connecticut Nonprofit Asset Mapping Tool Project Lead, and David Garvey, PhD, Professor, School of Public Policy

Join us for a timely discussion with Professor Justin Driver of Yale Law School as he explores themes from his new book, The Fall of Affirmative Action: Race, The Supreme Court and the Future of Higher Education. Professor Driver will analyze the Supreme Court's momentous decision in SFFA v. Harvard and illuminate the constitutional path going forward regarding racial diversity in the Age of Trump. Books will be available for sale during and after the event.Pizza, salad and beverages will be served.