Stephen A. Lerner, M.D., professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, has been elected vice president of the International Union of Microbiological Societies.
Dr. Lerner was elected by the organization's general assembly to a three-year term during the IUMS Congress meeting in Sapporo, Japan.
"I am delighted to have the confidence of the IUMS delegates to develop a program of international educational outreach that I have envisioned and inaugurated," said Dr. Lerner, who also serves as associate vice Chair for Faculty Development in the Department of Internal Medicine and president of the Executive Committee of the School of Medicine Faculty Senate.
The International Union of Microbiological Societies is an umbrella organization for microbiological societies in countries around the world, including six societies in the United States. Dr. Lerner became involved in the U.S. liaison committee to the IUMS through the American Society for Microbiology in 2001, when he chaired its International Committee. In 2008, he was elected a member-at-large of the IUMS Executive Board.
The union's objectives include promoting the study of microbiological sciences internationally, and promoting research and the exchange of scientific information for the advancement of human health and welfare.
As vice president, Dr. Lerner, a resident of Southfield, Mich., will assume responsibility for further development and enrichment of an international educational outreach program that he launched.
"My vision is to bring international expertise in various areas of microbiology to mini-courses for students, trainees and junior professionals in developing regions of the world," he said. "My own special interest in this regard is antimicrobial resistance, a global problem that especially impacts the developing world, but we shall also present programs in other areas such as microbiology of food and water."
He also will administer the program of awards that will be presented by the IUMS to distinguished microbiologists at the 2014 IUMS Congress in Montreal