Let's Talk Micro

Luis Plaza
  • 5.0 (1)
  • LIFE SCIENCES

Clinical microbiology explained in simple terms, suitable for students and microbiologists alike. We discuss organisms, reactions, infectious diseases, and more. Hosted by Luis Plaza, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and microbiologist, who also shares his experiences in the field.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    221: Beyond the Plate: Your Isolates and Genomic Epidemiology

    Genomic epidemiology is reshaping how we detect, investigate, and control infectious disease outbreaks—but what does that actually look like from the bench to public health? In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by genomic epidemiologist Krisandra Allen for a practical, case-based conversation on how pathogen sequencing data is generated, analyzed, and paired with epidemiologic information to answer questions traditional methods can't. They discuss foodborne and hepatitis A outbreaks, geographically dispersed clusters, and how sequencing is being integrated into routine public health workflows, while highlighting the essential role of clinical microbiology labs in specimen submission and data quality. A timely episode for microbiologists, public health professionals, and trainees curious about how their lab work feeds into real-world surveillance and outbreak response.   Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8   Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    36 min

  2. 30 JAN

    220: New Clinical Microbiology Certification Pathway at UF

    In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by faculty and collaborators from the University of Florida to discuss their new Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist (CLM) program — the first NAACLS-approved, microbiology-only certification pathway in the United States. They share how the program was created to address the growing shortage of clinical microbiologists and provide a direct pathway for microbiology graduates and working professionals to enter the clinical laboratory. The conversation covers: Gaps in the current workforce and training pipeline The hybrid model combining online coursework, hands-on bootcamp labs, and local clinical internships Real-world training with clinical lab technology such as MALDI-TOF, PCR, and blood culture systems  Preparation for the ASCP categorical microbiology certification exam The strong nationwide interest in the program The episode closes with a fun discussion on everyone's favorite microbes. Whether you're a student, lab professional, or educator, this episode offers insight into the future of clinical microbiology training.   Additional resources: ASCP Categorical Certification (Microbiology) https://www.ascp.org/boc/explore-credentials/view-all-credentials/M University of Florida Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist (CLM) Program https://microbiologyonline.ifas.ufl.edu/programs/clinical-laboratory-microbiologist/ GIDEON (Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network) https://www.gideononline.com/ Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    1h 8m

  3. 23 JAN

    219: Tick-Borne Diseases: The Lab and Diagnostics

    Tick-borne diseases continue to expand across North America, but diagnosing them in the clinical laboratory remains complex—especially when timing between symptom onset and testing isn't considered. In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Kyle Rodino, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Assistant Director of Microbiology, for a lab-focused discussion on tick-borne disease diagnostics. They cover major bacterial, parasitic, and viral causes of tick-borne disease, and walk through how molecular testing, serology, and microscopy are used at different stages of illness. The conversation highlights why test selection and timing matter, common diagnostic challenges—particularly with Babesia and Lyme disease testing—and how laboratories can support better diagnostic decision-making. A practical episode for microbiologists, laboratorians, and clinicians navigating real-world testing challenges in the lab.   Additional resources: Update on North American tick-borne diseases and how to diagnose them https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00807-23   Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8   Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    59 min

  4. 16 JAN

    218: Metagenomics in Clinical Microbiology

    In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we break down metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and how it's changing the way we diagnose complex infectious diseases. I'm joined by Steve Miller, MD, PhD—Chief Medical Officer at Delve Bio—to discuss how unbiased metagenomics moved from research labs into real-world clinical practice. We cover what metagenomics is, how it differs from targeted PCR and sequencing, and where it adds the most value—especially in meningitis and encephalitis, immunocompromised patients, and cases where routine testing comes back negative. Dr. Miller shares insights from years of clinical experience, including how mNGS can improve diagnostic yield, shorten time to diagnosis, guide targeted therapy, and reduce unnecessary testing and hospital stays. We also touch on challenges like cost, result interpretation, diagnostic stewardship, and where metagenomics is headed next—including its role in public health and emerging infections.    Links & Resources Clinical metagenomics for meningitis and encephalitis (Nature Medicine) https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03275-1    Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    1h 10m

  5. 19/12/2025

    217: Micro Minutes: Don't Let PEA Fool You

    PEA agar is often treated as "the gram-positive plate," but that shortcut can lead to real bench-level mistakes. In this MicroMinutes episode, we break down what phenylethyl alcohol agar actually does, why growth on PEA does not automatically mean an organism is gram-positive, and how selective media can change colony appearance and behavior. You'll hear about: What PEA inhibits — and what it doesn't Why Pseudomonas aeruginosa can grow quite well on PEA How colony morphology and hemolysis may differ from blood agar Why Lancefield grouping should never be performed directly from PEA PEA is a powerful recovery tool — but only when you understand its limitations. Short, focused, and straight from the bench, this is your Micro minutes.   Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8   Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    12 min

  6. 12/12/2025

    216: AMR Summit 2025: One Health, One Fight

    In this special episode, I'm joined by three leaders who helped shape the conversation at the 2025 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Summit in Detroit: Dr. Lauren Hunt, Dr. Linoj Samuel, and Dr. Robert Tibbetts. Together, we explore how this intimate, multidisciplinary summit brought together clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, stewardship, public health, policy, and veterinary medicine to tackle the growing challenges of antimicrobial resistance. We break down the key themes that emerged throughout the meeting—shared accountability, One Health collaboration, diagnostic innovation, payer perspectives, and the urgent need for equitable access to testing. You'll hear about surprising insights, personal stories that brought AMR's impact into sharp focus, and the collaborative projects already taking root as a result of this year's summit. Whether you're on the bench, managing stewardship programs, shaping policy, or simply passionate about the future of diagnostics, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the conversations and partnerships driving AMR action forward. Thank you to Lauren, Linoj, and Robert for joining me—and to everyone committed to advancing the fight against AMR. One Health, one fight.    Additional Resources from the 2024 AMR Summit If you'd like to explore more background from last year's summit, here are two excellent resources: 2024 AMR Summit Article Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology (ASHE) DOI:10.1017/ash.2025.10039 ASHE Podcast Episode Recapping the 2024 Summit 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YBcDwgfYIy75pTVjCZZ5Y?si=jb8N_3AIQdOmcC2YaOvOag    Want to Contribute or Get Involved? If you're interested in contributing ideas, collaborating on AMR initiatives, or learning more about future AMR Summits, you can reach out directly to: Dr. Lauren Hunt  📧 lauren.hunt@biomerieux.com   Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi   Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    1h 8m

  7. 05/12/2025

    215: One Health, Many Species: AMR Through a Veterinary Lens

    What does antimicrobial resistance look like when your patients range from dogs and cats to cattle, wildlife, and everything in between? And how do we make sense of AST, breakpoints, contamination, and genotypic tools across such a diverse microbiological world? In this episode, Luis is joined by Dr. Kelli Maddock, DrPH (North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory) and Dr. Stephen Cole (University of Pennsylvania), two leaders shaping the future of veterinary microbiology, antimicrobial stewardship, and CLSI veterinary standards. Together, they explore AMR and AST through a true One Health lens, showing how animal, human, and environmental health are interconnected in everyday diagnostic work. Drawing from their recent American Journal of Veterinary Research article on AMR challenges in veterinary medicine, the discussion highlights: The biggest challenges in veterinary AST, from species diversity to contamination Phenotypic vs genotypic testing and concerns around WGS-based "treatment predictions" How selective reporting ("nudging") strengthens antimicrobial stewardship Why every animal result matters in a One Health framework Whether you come from human or veterinary microbiology, this episode reveals the shared challenges across sectors — and the diagnostic, collaborative, and educational steps needed to strengthen AMR response in a One Health world. Link to article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.12.0687 Missed the past episodes on veterinary microbiology? Here they are: TBT: Veterinary Microbiology https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868175 Episode 166: Pasteurella multocida — capsular groups and more https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868155 Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    1h 7m

  8. 21/11/2025

    214: Beyond the Bench: Optimization & Stewardship in Action

    In this final episode of our special four-part series in partnership with bioMérieux, we bring all the pieces together. Throughout the series, we explored the diagnostic pathway from multiple angles: Episode 1: The evolution of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) Episode 2: Molecular diagnostics for bloodstream infections Episode 3: FAST AST and the impact of getting susceptibility data hours sooner Today, in Episode 4, we shift to diagnostic stewardship and lab optimization — the strategies that ensure the right tests are used at the right time, and that workflows support efficient, meaningful, and actionable results. Luis is joined by Alyssa Walker, Infectious Diseases Pharmacist and Medical Advisor, and Jenny Harder, Lab Optimization Consultant with experience in managing a microbiology laboratory. Together, they explore how smarter workflows and better diagnostic decisions amplify the value of every ID and AST result. In This Episode: What diagnostic stewardship really means — right test, right patient, right time How lab optimization streamlines workflow, reduces waste, and improves turnaround times Key challenges labs face today (staffing, training, legacy processes) and how to address them How tools like BioFire Fireworks and Syndromic Trends enhance decision-making and support stewardship By connecting stewardship principles with optimized workflows, labs can turn rapid diagnostics into real clinical impact — faster decisions, smarter therapy, and better patient outcomes. This episode is sponsored by bioMérieux, a global innovator in infectious disease diagnostics. Missed the earlier episodes in this bioMérieux series? Here they are: Episode 198 – Let's Talk: The Evolution of AST Episode 204 – In the Bloodstream: Diagnosing Infections Faster Episode 211 – At the Speed of AST: Diagnosing Resistance Faster This episode is sponsored by bioMérieux, a global innovator in infectious disease diagnostics. Resources from this episode: bioMérieux Sepsis Webinar https://info.biomerieux.com/clin_us_2024_ams_handbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=LetsTalkMicro Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8 Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi

    46 min
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About

Clinical microbiology explained in simple terms, suitable for students and microbiologists alike. We discuss organisms, reactions, infectious diseases, and more. Hosted by Luis Plaza, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and microbiologist, who also shares his experiences in the field.

Information

  • Creator
    Luis Plaza
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Luis Plaza 2021-2025
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Micro

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