ASM ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE ORATIONS
Each year, ASM produces the premier conference on microbiology, bringing together a diverse group of scientists, clinical researchers and other professionals to discuss the latest advances in microbiology. The meeting features an outstanding range of plenary lectures and symposium sessions, as well as extensive opportunities for networking with colleagues.
RUBBO ORATION
This is an annual oration that alternates between a local and an international speaker to make best use of the funds.
The orator is chosen by a committee that includes eminent Australian microbiologists and a member of the local organizing committee.
PREVIOUS orators
2025 Prof Julie E. Bines, University of Melbourne
2024 Prof Matthias Boll, University of Freiburg
2023 Prof Julian I Rood, Monash University
2022 Prof Jillian Banfield, University of California Berkeley
2020/2021 Prof Eddie Holmes, University of Sydney
2019 Prof Tilman Ruff, University of Melbourne
2018 Prof Paul Young, University of Queensland
2017 Dr Pascale Cossart, Institut Pasteur
2016 Prof Anne Kelso, NHMRC
2015 Prof Janet Jansson, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
2014 Prof Roy Robins-Browne, University of Melbourne
2013 Prof Roy Curtis III, Arizona State University
2012 Prof Ian Frazer, University of Queensland
2011 Prof Bo Barker Jorgensen, Max Plank Institute for Marine Microbiology
2010 Prof Staffan Kjelleberg
2009 Prof Bonnie Bassler
2008 Prof Alan Coleman, WEHI
2007 Prof Robin Weiss, University College
2006 Prof Ruth Hall, University of Sydney
2005 Dr Leroy Hood, Seattle Washington
2004 Prof Michael Good, QIMR
2003 Dr David Ho, Rockefeller University
2002 Prof Adrian Lee, ProVice University of New South Wales
2001 Prof Cedric Mims, Guys Hospital Medical School
2000 Dr Barry Marshall, Charles Gardiner Hospital
1999
1998 Prof Peter Doherty, St Jude's Childrens Hospital
1997 Prof David Kemp, Menzies School of Health Research
1996 Dr J. D. Watson, Genesis Research and Development Corporation
1995 Prof Adrian Gibbs
1994 Prof Staffan Normark, Karolinska Institute, Sweden
1993 Prof David White
1992 Prof Carleton Gajdusek, National Institutes of Health
1991 Prof Robert Symons, University of South Australia
1990 Dr Holder Jamasch, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
1989 Prof A. J. Pittard, University of Melbourne
1988 Prof Ian Gust, Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne
1987 Dr Edward Harold Kass, Harvard Medical School
1986 Dr Graham Mitchell, WEHI
1985 Dr David Baltimore, MIT
1984 Prof Tony Basten, University of Sydney
1983 Prof Bernard Davis
1982 Dr Nancy F. Millis, University of Melbourne
1981 Prof Stanley Falkow, Stanford University
1980 Prof R.E.F. Matthews, University of Auckland
1979 Prof A. L. Demain, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1978 Prof Sir Gustav Nossal
1977 Dr R. Chanock, Laboratory of Infectious Diseases
1976 Prof W. Hayes
1975
1974 Prof G. Edsall
1973 Frank Fenner
1972
1971
1970 Prof Sir Macfarlane Burnet
DISTINGUISHED AWARD ORATOR
The ASM Distinguished Award Orator is awarded annually to an outstanding Australian who is active as a current global leader in their field and whose work has had a far-reaching impact within and beyond the field of microbiology. This may include evidence of mentoring and training of others, and advocacy in any area relevant to the microbiological sciences.
Suggestions are sought from State Branches, Council and the LOC. The Orator is then chosen by a small subcommittee, including the current President and President Elect/Immediate Past President, and the Vice President Scientific Affairs.
PREVIOUS orators
2025 Prof Timothy Stinear, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
2024 Prof Mark J. Walker, University of Queensland
2023 Prof Dena Lyras, Monash University
2022 Elizabeth Hartland, Hudson Institute of Medical Research
ASM BACPATH ORATOR
This is a biennial event. The orator is chosen by the BacPath LOC in conjunction with the ASM Executive Committee.
PREVIOUS orators
2024 Prof Kate Seib, Griffith University
2022 Prof Dena Lyras, Monash University
2019 Prof Mark Schembri, University of Queensland
ASM AUSME ORATOR
This is a biennial event. The orator is chosen by the AusMe LOC in conjunction with the ASM Executive Committee.
PREVIOUS orators
2024 Prof Philip Hugenholtz, University of Queensland