The secret life of microbes

I'm back! ASM and more so Perth was definitely an experience! The ASM conference was intense but still fun - I was all nerded out by the end of the week though. Everyday I went to a different talk and learnt something new. Attending plenary sessions by Nobel Laureates was one of my highlights (I mean come on! the Helicobacter pylori guy was there!). Other highlights included the Rubbo Oration and conference dinner which involve dancing - Microbiologists really know how to have fun!
As for my talk I think it was well recieved, I got a few questions from the small audience that turned up. I'm happy to say I was able to answer those questions :o) I spoke with this one lady after my talk and she gave me lots of think about for my thesis. It was great being able to network with other peeps in the same field too. The emphasis of ASM is more on Medical Microbiology (think infectious diseases) as opposed to Environmental Microbiology (my area). Not to worry I am planning to attend the International Society for Microbial Ecology conference in Seattle next year - that would be awesome actually.

Anyways here are some pics from the rest of my time in Perth:

This is the backyard of where we stayed in Perth - can you spot the chickens? The place is owned by a lovely old lady and her poodle Harry.

Our verandah where we had breakfast on sunny mornings and one of many home-cooked meals by my personal chef aka Tan who came for a holiday while I was attending the conference

We had the 'best coffee in Perth' at Tiger Tiger Coffee Bar

Some old-school scienceware they used as vases which I thought was quite neat!

Other things we saw and did in Perth include the Nick Cave Exhibition at WA Museum, amazing student artworks at the Art Gallery of WA, Perth cultural market (it was disappointing, nothing like Sydney markets), dinner with my lab mates at Subiaco one night and lunches at the park (below)

After the conference, we met up with my dear friend Sophie who lives in Perth. We started the day with breakfast at Tiger Tiger, retro/vintage shopping in Fremantle with a lunch at Little Creatures Brewery and dinner with Flo (Sophie's boyfriend) at Leederville. Thanks guys for an excellent time!

Fremantle:

Leederville: