imd in Colombia

Microverse LAB

When: 16-17 September

Time: 09:00 - 12:00

Where: Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla - Campus Principal

Microverse LAB brings International Microorganism Day to Universidad Libre (Barranquilla - Colombia) with two days of science and creativity: a keynote on microbial diversity and omics, a Microverse Lab rally on fermentation, water treatment, microscopy and bioinnovation, plus a fungal art contest, a micro-photography exhibit, and a microbial costume runway.

Speakers / facilitators:

Cesar Aguilar — International guest speaker (Mexico), keynote: "Exploración de la diversidad microbiana mediante herramientas ómicas y su potencial biotecnológico"

Wendy Rosales — Professor, Microbiology Program, Universidad Libre (event coordination, opening/closing remarks)

Mario Peña — Professor, Microbiology Program, Universidad Libre (event coordination, opening/closing remarks)

Microbiology students (VI semester) — rally facilitators, contest judges, and event hosts

Programme of the day:

* Wednesday, September 16, 2026 11:00 AM Universidad Libre – Benjamín Herrera Auditorium Keynote by Cesar Aguilar: "Exploring Microbial Diversity Through Omics Tools and Their Biotechnological Potential"

* Thursday, September 17, 2026 9:00 AM Universidad Libre

Rally: MicroverseLAB

Station 1: Ferment It! – Fermentation demo in food

Station 2: Clean Water, Small Heroes

Station 3: Under the Microscope

Station 4: Design a Bioproduct

* Thursday, September 17, 2026 10:00 AM Fungal Art

* Thursday, September 17, 2026 Micro-photography - Exhibition of microbial art. Best microscopic photograph wins

* Thursday, September 17, 2026 11:00 AM Microbial Runway - Participants present in a costume representing a microorganism and explain the concept behind the outfit

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