At FEMS2019, more than you can imagine has been made possible thanks to our sponsors. Our Gold Sponsor Qiagen offers products for microbiome research. We interviewed their Associate Director Heather Martinez.
Heather: “As an industry pioneer of research solutions for sample preparation, in-depth molecular analyses and data interpretation, QIAGEN is a renowned supporter of microbiome research initiatives worldwide. At QIAGEN you can find all the products you need for you microbiome research in one place, helping you transform your biological samples into valuable molecular insights. Products from the microbiome portfolio are currently used and recommended by international consortia such as the Human Microbiome Project, the Earth Microbiome Project and the MetaSUB Consortium.”
How does sponsoring the FEMS Congress contribute to your organization?
“Sponsoring FEMS enables QIAGEN’s scientists to come together with the microbiome community and learn about the latest technology and research in the fields of microbiology and the microbiome, and to present their own work to the scientific community. This give and take allows QIAGEN scientists to be inspired and develop the tools the microbiome community needs to advance microbiome research even further. We are excited to meet our customers, share our latest products, and provide support, information and product samples.”
How is QIAGEN connected to other disciplines, microbiologists and institutes in the microbiology community?
“In addition to attending conferences such as Translational Microbiome, ASM Microbe and FEMS, QIAGEN’s scientists are constantly reaching out to the microbiome research community to offer support, offer product advice, collect feedback and learn about new technology in the industry. QIAGEN supports young scientists with initiatives, such as our Microbiome Awards that, only last year gave away over $100,000 USD in products and services, as well as many other grants and product giveaways. We also take part in many small, local conferences in order to network with our customers.”
What event is on QIAGEN’s radar this year that the microbiology community should be aware of?
“QIAGEN looks forward to sponsoring the 2019 MetaSUB Meeting in Istanbul this year.”
Which current scientists have inspired you in your own microbiological journey?
I have been greatly inspired by all of the pioneers in human and environmental microbiome research, especially Rob Knight, Janet Jansson and Jacques Ravel.
Heather Martinez, PhD Associate Director, Global Strategic Marketing, Microbiome. Heather Martinez received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Diego in 2007 and has a background in subjects including microbiome research, molecular biology, cell biology and protein biochemistry. She was Associate Director of Marketing at MO BIO Laboratories, Inc. which was acquired by QIAGEN in 2015. Currently, Dr. Martinez is responsible for strategic marketing for QIAGEN’s microbiome portfolio.