The American Society for Virology made history this week as it held its 43rd annual meeting at Ohio State University, drawing a record-breaking attendance of over 2,000 participants from 50 countries. But this year's conference was not just notable for its sheer scale - it also marked a significant shift in the organization's approach, with the keynote speaker being a social scientist rather than a specialist in a biological or medical field.
Adam Berinsky, the Mitsui Professor of Political Science at MIT, opened the meeting on Monday night with a lecture focused on a pressing issue that has plagued the scientific community in recent years: misinformation. Berinsky, who has extensively studied the spread of false political rumors, shared his insights on how to effectively combat the dissemination of inaccurate information, a problem that has become increasingly worrisome for the virology community.
ASV President Anne Moscona, who selected Berinsky as the keynote speaker, emphasized the importance of addressing misinformation that casts doubt on scientific evidence, a phenomenon that has only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Misinformation is a problem so worrisome to our community," Moscona said, urging the audience to consider working alongside Berinsky to tackle this challenge.
The conference's focus on misinformation was particularly fitting given the expertise of the Ohio State University faculty members who chaired the organizing committee and presented their research. Shan-Lu Liu, a virology professor and co-director of the Viruses and Emerging Pathogens Program at the Infectious Diseases Institute, was named the president-elect of ASV and will assume the role of president in 2025.
Liu's research has spanned a range of topics, from his longtime work on HIV to his more recent studies on SARS-CoV-2 variants and their impact on immune evasion, transmissibility, and infectivity. His leadership in the field of virology, combined with his understanding of the challenges posed by misinformation, underscores the importance of the ASV's efforts to address this critical issue.
Another prominent Ohio State researcher, Linda Saif, a Distinguished University Professor in the Center for Food Animal Health, opened Wednesday morning's symposium with a detailed presentation on the ability of coronaviruses to spill over from animals to humans - a phenomenon that has been occurring for centuries. Saif, an international expert on coronaviruses, highlighted the wily nature of these pathogens and their capacity to adapt and evolve, posing ongoing threats to human and animal health.
Saif's work, which includes the groundbreaking discovery of the ability of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 to infect and spread among white-tailed deer in Ohio, has significant implications for our understanding of zoonotic disease transmission and the potential for the emergence of new viral variants. Her research, along with that of her colleague Andrew Bowman, who has led influenza surveillance at the swine-human interface, underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to address the challenges posed by these dynamic and adaptable viruses.
As the 2024 US presidential election looms, the role of misinformation in shaping public perception of scientific issues has become a pressing concern. The ASV's decision to feature a social scientist as the keynote speaker and to prioritize the discussion of misinformation reflects the organization's recognition of the need to address this challenge head-on.
By bringing together leading experts in virology, epidemiology, and social science, the ASV is taking a holistic approach to tackling the spread of false information and restoring public trust in the scientific process. As Berinsky emphasized, combating misinformation is not a simple task, but rather a multifaceted effort that requires a range of strategies and the involvement of diverse stakeholders.
The ASV's 43rd annual meeting serves as a testament to the virology community's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge, fostering collaboration, and addressing the complex challenges that lie ahead. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing threat of emerging infectious diseases, the insights and strategies shared at this landmark event will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of virology research and its impact on public health.
