This free event (ECCB registration not required, RSVP below) is taking place as part of the ECCB Communities Day. From 10 AM–3 PM, we’ll run a unique Outbreak Tabletop Exercise: a structured, interactive discussion built around fictional but evidence-informed outbreak scenarios. Researchers, clinicians, platform developers, data providers, educators, public officials, and other stakeholders will work together to identify bottlenecks, communication gaps, unmet data needs, and opportunities to improve how pathogen data are shared and used during an outbreak.

This is an experiment in community engagement and problem solving—not a test of participants or organizations. What we learn will help refine future exercises and ultimately strengthen how pathogen data resources serve their communities. From 3–4 PM, stay for an Open Collaboration Forum with representatives of PDN and the other NIAID Bioinformatics Resource Centers. Meet resource teams, learn more about the BRCs, share your own work, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Who Should Attend

We encourage participation from:

• Researchers
• Data stewards
• Bioinformaticians
• Healthcare professionals
• Policymakers
• Educators
• Anyone whose work involves or is impacted by human pathogen data

Goals of the Forum

Goals of the tabletop exercise include:

• Identify bottlenecks and gaps in accessing, sharing, integrating, and using pathogen data during an outbreak.
• Explore where the needs and expectations of different stakeholders may be aligned—or misaligned.
• Identify opportunities to improve communication and coordination across data providers, resource developers, researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders.
• Better understand when and how pathogen data platforms and resources can contribute during different stages of an outbreak.
• Generate observations and actionable ideas that can inform future exercises and improvements to BRC resources, tools, and collaborations.

Following the tabletop exercise and lunch, participants are invited to remain for an open collaboration networking session with representatives of PDN and the other NIAID BRCs. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the BRCs, share your own pathogen-related work, meet resource representatives and other community members, and identify potential areas for future collaboration.

RSVP to Attend

Interested in learning more about the Pathogen Data Network? Visit our website.