This is a very special week. We’re launching the first episode of our Podovirus podcast!

We started this on a whim (I wanted to explore this format, since I love talking to phage people and I love podcasts; and Jan came up with a punny name we couldn't pass up).

Ok, episode 1! I'll be honest — I stayed in science because of how much I love conferences. My phage phriendships are some of my favourites in life, and annual conferences have always pushed my science forward more than anything else.

It was so much fun to chat with Dr. Jeremy Barr, Associate Professor at Monash University, about the Viruses of Microbes (VoM) conference he's co-organizing in Cairns, Australia this July.

We talk about what organizing has been like (take note, whoever applies to host the next VoM in 2026!), what Australia is like (fewer crocodiles than you might think, equally as many koalas), why VoM 2024 will be extra-special for early career researchers, and how to convince your PI to help you get there!