Now in its fifteenth year, the Letters in Applied Microbiology Early Career Scientist Research Symposium (LAMECS) returns on Thursday 18 June 2026 at Manchester Metropolitan University Business School. The event, designed specifically for students and early career researchers in microbiology, features plenary sessions, posters, exhibition, and networking opportunities.
This year’s programme spans all aspects of applied microbiology, including food, health, environment, industry, and microbial ecology. Abstract submission is open to all career stages with submissions invited for a poster with optional 1-minute-1-slide plenary ‘poster pitch’ presentation, or a 15-minute talk.
This year we're delighted to welcome keynote speaker Dr Michael Macey, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at Open University. Dr Macey's keynote Hypersaline Frontiers: Analogue Environments and the Search for Habitability uncovers how life survives at the limits, using hypersaline environments as analogues for early Mars. It reveals how resilient microbes adapt and evolve, offering insights into planetary exploration, protection, and novel biotechnological discoveries. Bridging astrobiology and applied microbiology, it shows how studying Earth’s extremes can unlock both cosmic and real-world applications. In addition, we look forward to a series of invited career talks with a focus on providing ECR's with valuable insights into non-academic career paths.
Whether it’s your first time presenting, your first research symposium, or simply an opportunity to meet new peers, this event offers a welcoming space to share your work, explore career paths, and hear from inspiring voices across academia, industry and policy.
Registration costs only £60 for AMI members or £120 for non-members. Payment by credit card only.
- Member ticket discount applied automatically at checkout.
- Non-members who attended a paid AMI event in 2025 are entitled to a 50% discount on membership. Members who attended a paid AMI event in 2025 are entitled to a 25% discount on membership renewal.
Your ticket includes access to all conference sessions, refreshments and lunch, posters and exhibition, digital certificate of attendance, and CPD points.
Financial support is available for AMI Members via the AMI Student Travel Bursary To be eligible, active event participation is requried (e.g. abstract accepted for poster/oral presentation, invited speaker, or panellist).
Reasons To Attend
