Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), Nitte (Deemed to be University), organised a three-day SPARC-funded Indo-Australian International Conference titled “Decoding Host–Pathogen Biology: From Innate Sensors to Multiomics and Global Health Solutions” from October 22 to 24, 2026 at Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru. The conference was organised in collaboration with the Australian National University (ANU) and Murdoch University, Australia, with support from the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The event brought together experts, academicians, clinicians and research scholars to discuss advances in innate immunity, host–pathogen interactions and infectious disease research.
Prof. Dr Anirban Chakraborty, Director of NUCSER, welcomed the dignitaries, speakers and participants, highlighting the importance of international academic partnerships in advancing infectious disease research.
Prof Dr Si Ming Man, Professor at the Australian National University, was the Chief Guest, while Prof. Dr Sandeep Rai, Dean, K. S. Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), was the Guest of Honour. Prof. Dr M. S. Moodithaya, Vice Chancellor of Nitte (Deemed to be University), presided over the inaugural function. In his presidential address, Prof. Dr Moodithaya highlighted the importance of the SPARC initiative in fostering meaningful international research collaborations. He emphasised that the impact of such partnerships extends beyond the sum of individual contributions, remarking that “1 + 1 is not always 2” and that collaboration can generate a much greater additive effect through shared expertise, complementary strengths and collective innovation.
In his inaugural speech, Dr Si Ming Man stressed the importance of international collaboration in combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance through host–pathogen research.
Prof. Dr Sandeep Rai emphasised the importance of bridging basic science and clinical research to translate scientific discoveries into meaningful outcomes for patients and society. He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians to ensure that research findings contribute to improved healthcare and tangible societal benefits.
Dr Krishna Kumar B, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of SPARC project, proposed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the support of the Ministry of Education through SPARC, invited speakers, participants, sponsors and the organising team.
Other dignitaries, including Dr Stanley Pang of Murdoch University, Australia, Dr. Praveen Kumar Shetty, Nitte (Deemed to be University); Prof. Dr. Indrani Karunasagar and Prof. Dr. Iddya Karunasagar, Nitte (Deemed to be University); and Prof. R. K. Ratho, President of the Virological Society were also present.
The scientific programme had presentations by 18 invited speakers from India and Australia, covering advances in host–pathogen interactions, innate immunity, inflammasome activation and infectious disease research. The sessions fostered scientific discussions and knowledge exchange, while providing young researchers and research scholars opportunities to present their work and interact with established scientists.
The three-day conference concluded on October 24 with a valedictory function attended by chief guest Dr Stanley Pang of Murdoch University, Australia, and presided over by Prof. Dr Harsha Halahalli, Registrar, NitteDU. Dr Stanley highlighted the value of in-person scientific interactions and the need for interdisciplinary research and international collaborations to address complex scientific challenges. Prof. Dr. Harsha Halahalli emphasized the importance of collaboration in scientific research, noting that by working together, we can go further and achieve greater milestones in advancing science and healthcare. Prizes were distributed to the best oral and poster presentations, recognizing the scientific contributions of young researchers and research scholars.
Accompanying Images: 2086-2093
