This webinar and coffee hour is part of the Microbes and Social Equity 2026 Speaker Series.
Microbiome and Amazonian Indigenous Peoples, Ethics and Beyond
What changes when microbiome research is shaped by relationships, ethics, and Indigenous ways of understanding life?
Dr Zent and Dr Melby will explore how microbiome research intersects with Indigenous knowledge, ethics, and ways of understanding life. Drawing on long-term work with Amazonian Indigenous communities, the talk will consider how relationships between humans, microbes, and the environment are understood within different knowledge systems.
They will examine the ethical challenges of microbiome research in these contexts, including questions of ownership, representation, and responsibility. Rather than seeking to merge perspectives, the talk highlights the importance of respecting distinct ways of knowing, while creating space for dialogue and mutual learning. This approach reframes microbiome research as not only a scientific endeavor, but also a relational and ethical practice.
After the talk, we continue the conversation with an informal social hour. Join us as we chat with the speaker, MSE members, and attendees about research, teaching, our pets, and more!
Programme (Timings are EST)
11:00 Welcome and introduction – Professor Sue Ishaq, Founder and Lead, MSE
11:05 Guest speaker – Dr Egleé Zent, PhD & Dr Melissa Melby PhD
11:45 Audience question and answer session
12:00 Informal coffee and chat
13:00 Close
