Evergreen has never been just a conference — it is a catalyst for innovation, a gathering place for pioneers, and a driving force behind the future of phage science. For over 50 years, it has brought together researchers across disciplines, creating a home for discovery, mentorship, and real-world impact.
In 2019, Evergreen was the largest it had ever been. In 2021, we refused to let a global crisis halt progress, launching our first hybrid meeting to keep research moving forward. In 2023, we said farewell — not to Evergreen itself, but to the location that nurtured us for so long.
Now, we look ahead — not to an ending, but to an era of expansion and reinvention.
Knoxville: The First Stop on Our Journey
Evergreen is hitting the road. As part of our new rotating format, we’re taking the meeting beyond Olympia, allowing us to expand our reach and highlight leading institutions in phage research worldwide.
Knoxville, Tennessee, is the perfect place to launch this new era. Dr. Tom Denes and Dan Bryan, both former students of Dr. Betty Kutter, now call the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) home, where they continue their work in phage research. UTK faculty are eager to join us in shaping the future of Evergreen, providing an ideal setting for this next chapter.
When the Phagebiotics Research Foundation decided to take Evergreen on the road, we knew we needed a strong first host to support us as we experiment, grow, and ensure a smooth transition into this new phase. Knoxville gives us that foundation, and we are excited to begin this journey with them.
Expanding Our Scientific Focus
Phage science is advancing at an unprecedented pace, yet challenges remain. Regulatory landscapes are shifting, access to phage therapies is still limited, and promising solutions have been overlooked—only to be rediscovered and validated in modern times.
Evergreen has always been a place to tackle these challenges head-on, and 2025 will be no different. We are expanding our scientific focus with new tracks that reflect the rapidly evolving landscape of phage research:
Phage Biology, Evolution, Ecology, and Therapeutics – Continuing the core tracks that built Evergreen’s legacy.
Diagnostics – Phage-based tools for infection detection and microbiome analysis.
Regulation & Policy – Navigating the evolving landscape of phage therapy approvals and global standards.
Biomanufacturing & Scale-Up – Bridging research and industry to bring phage-based products to market.
From Classroom to Career – Connecting students, postdocs, and industry leaders to foster professional growth.
This meeting has always been about collaboration, mentorship, and advancing the field. As we step into this next phase, we invite you to participate. Bring your research, share your ideas, and help shape the future of phage science.
Honoring Dr. Betty Kutter
Evergreen would not exist without Dr. Betty Kutter, who dedicated her life to mentoring young scientists and championing phage research, even when the field was at the margins of mainstream science. She made sure this community had a place to grow.
Now, as Emeritus Leader, Betty is enjoying her well-earned retirement in the Pacific Northwest. Though she won’t be with us in person, her legacy is in every researcher, every discovery, and every connection formed at this meeting.
Evergreen 2025 is a tribute to her vision and dedication; we are honored to carry it forward.
Join Us in Knoxville
Evergreen is more than a conference—it is a movement. It is where ideas take shape, collaborations begin, and the next generation of scientists finds inspiration and opportunity.
We hope you’ll join us, share your work, engage in discussions, and contribute to the future of phage research.
Register now and submit your abstract, at:
https://evergreen.phage.directory
We look forward to welcoming you to Knoxville for Evergreen 2025: Where the Future of Phage Science Takes Shape.
With deep appreciation and anticipation,
Tom Denes & Ria Kaelin
Co-Chair Organizers, Evergreen Phage Meeting
Phagebiotics Research Foundation
