The Department of Microbiology hosted the 2025 Susan Roberts Dubay Endowed Lecture on Oct. 14, welcoming Lora Hooper, Ph.D., as this year’s keynote speaker presenting, “How the microbiome harnesses vitamin A to shape gut immunity.” Hooper, professor and chair in the Department of Immunology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, presented to a packed room in the new Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building.
Hooper's presentation explored how the gut microbiome leverages vitamin A to regulate immune responses.. Research shows that vitamin A is essential for resistance to infections like influenza and for building gut immunity through T-cell development.
The Susan Roberts Dubay Endowed Lecture series in the UAB Department of Microbiology honors the legacy of Susan Roberts Dubay, a dedicated scientist whose impactful career and mentorship helped advance HIV research and inspired many in the scientific community at UAB and beyond. Established by her family after her passing in 2007, the lecture series continues to bring renowned scientists to UAB, fostering education and collaboration in microbiology.
The 2025 Susan Roberts Dubay Endowed Lecture was especially significant as members of Susan's family were in attendance.
"This lecture was made special by the presence of Susan's family," said J. Victor Garcia-Martinez, professor and chair in the Department of Microbiology. "We are grateful for their continued support of this lecture and the department."
See the full list of Susan Roberts Dubay Endowed Lecturers.